MusicCast

[DavidS]

My wife is complaining that she has to go downstairs to put a CD on if she wants to hear something through out multiroom system. I'm thinking of the Yamaha MusicCast system as a way for her to select CDs remotely (though of course I'm going to have to load them onto the database). It strikes me as a little pricey though, just for the sake of convenience. Anyone have any experience with this, or can recommend some alternatives.

I was also thinking of jerry rigging something with maybe an old laptop to use upstairs to stream itunes, but that would take up space. The ideal thing would be some single handheld remote where you could pick titles off the database and still operate the other components.

If I do go with MusicCast, what's the biggest hard drive I can get factory installed?

Thanks

 

[Audioholics]

160GB I think. The MusicCAST is an excellent product for convenience and for custom installers. For the DIY'er there are alternatives that may cost less but also not provide as nice of an interface. It's a trade-off and decision you need to make based on your budget.

If you have a PC you can use something like Slim Devices Squeezebox 3 - which is a slick way to pull music into any room, though amplifying the output to speakers requires another third party component.

 

[mfabien]

Here in Montreal my digital cable provider gives me access to 45 Galaxie Music channels. See:

http://www.galaxie.ca/en/1/chan_view.php

Our favorite channel is Easy Listening and sounds great with my HT sound system or the small LCD TV in the kitchen. I find this better than having a CD carousel.

Nothing like that in your neck of the woods?

 

[MDS]

My cable system has Music Choice digital music channels. It's ok but it is still essentially the same as radio - they play what they want when they want. I suspect that what DavidS really wants is to be able to select any song or playlist from his own collection at any time.

MusicCast, Squeezebox + computer + audio system or any similar solution is what is necessary.

 

[stratman]

I'd look into the Sonos sytem, they sell them now at BB, go check them out.

 

[DavidS]

My cable system has Music Choice digital music channels. It's ok but it is still essentially the same as radio - they play what they want when they want. I suspect that what DavidS really wants is to be able to select any song or playlist from his own collection at any time.

MusicCast, Squeezebox + computer + audio system or any similar solution is what is necessary.

Right -- select any song from my own collection is what I want to do. I can stream iTunes, but that still requires going downstairs (and my HD is only 80g and there are other things I need on it). The server I think also has higher quality than even Apple Lossless. Still, it seems a tad on the expensive side just for some added convenience.

Thanks

 

[DavidS]

160GB I think. The MusicCAST is an excellent product for convenience and for custom installers. For the DIY'er there are alternatives that may cost less but also not provide as nice of an interface. It's a trade-off and decision you need to make based on your budget.

If you have a PC you can use something like Slim Devices Squeezebox 3 - which is a slick way to pull music into any room, though amplifying the output to speakers requires another third party component.

I have a Mac, so I don't know if these are compatible. My local dealer/installer has a unit with 250G.

I just find it odd that their isn't a me-too product like this. I'm not sure, but I don't think the Sonos is Mac compatible, is that right?

Thanks. I know your reveiw is very positive and it is after near Xmas.