Networked Receiver or Music Server - thoughts please

[timetohunt]

We fell in love with a couple online radio stations (mostly Jazz and Classical) that are very enjoyable. Couple that with my recent interest in downloading of free live shows (mostly from the Jam Band Community on B-Tree - I burn them to CDs now when I have time, which is not often).

So I am starting to think about a networked device that will be able to get that music out to my decent HT setup. I know I need to look through the manuals that are available online from some of the prospective receiver and music server candidates. Although again, I need to find the time (as some of the music servers have manuals that are 200 pages in length).

I realize that a networked receiver has no storage, but I should be able to play downloaded shows from my computer without burning CDs (I think). Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations about this type of upgrade. I should not have any problems running a Cat 5 cable from this device to my home router. But thats about all I know for now, as I begin to prepare for this.

Thoughts or experiences with this appreciated. Thanks.

 

[jcPanny]

Steaming media from PC

Based on posts on the forum, there are mixed results on the media streaming feature on most new receivers. They seem to be difficult to use and navigate. However, I have read lots of good results on the Squeeze Box 3, the wireless version is $300. If you have access to the PC to control the source, something less expensive like the Airport Express would work.

 

[superstar]

I'm extremely happy with this http://www.sondigo.com/sirocco/overview and you get to play anything that it is on you pc regardless whether it is protected or not as well as playing it with any media player.

 

[timetohunt]

I'm extremely happy with this http://www.sondigo.com/sirocco/overview and you get to play anything that it is on you pc regardless whether it is protected or not as well as playing it with any media player.

Hmmm .... thats a cool item. However; I don't want to change from a wired to a wireless home network. We already have weak transmission out in the boonies where i live (we have satellite, its the only broadband out here). I had lightning fast cable before I moved out here - and I beleive the wired network is keeping me afloat speed wise. My old cable servise was a multititude faster and more constistanly reliable. One reason I went through the pains of wiring the house with Cat 5. So I would not want to depend on another 'wireless' technology unil satellite transmission rates improve on the front end.

 

[superstar]

Hmmm .... thats a cool item. However; I don't want to change from a wired to a wireless home network. We already have weak transmission out in the boonies where i live (we have satellite, its the only broadband out here). I had lightning fast cable before I moved out here - and I beleive the wired network is keeping me afloat speed wise. My old cable servise was a multititude faster and more constistanly reliable. One reason I went through the pains of wiring the house with Cat 5. So I would not want to depend on another 'wireless' technology unil satellite transmission rates improve on the front end.

It doesn't have to be wireless, you can have it wired as well, I would have it wired but running cables and hiding it is a task that I don't want to enter yet, if you are worried about latency problems or drop connections, it is not bad when it is wireless, listening to music for about 6 hours I'd gotten only 3 hic ups at the most, but you don't have to worry about that (lucky you ) http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?productID=12614 cheapest I've found.

 

[stratman]

Try slimdevices.com or sonos.com, these might help.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I'm gonna ask elsewhere, but I spent a few minutes playing with Apple TV, and it seems like, once again, Apple is on the ball with a consumer friendly product that delivers quality.

HDMI output for video, a cross-bar type interface that allows browsing to music, photos, videos, etc. Oh, and component and composite are there for those of us in the stone age.

I know it allows wired Ethernet, maybe wireless as well (for those who care).

The internal 40GB hard drive seem to make a lot of sense for local immediate access storage when bandwidth could present an issue.

I'm very seriously considering picking one up just to play with at my house.

 

[solomr2]

From what I read on the Sonos ZP80 bundle (or ZP100 if you want it amplified), it seems like the best of the breed for streaming. It also seems to be the easiest to setup and the most reliable (uninterrupted) of the bunch. Plus it can be expanded to as many rooms as you want.

However, if you have a computer, a router, and a network enabled AVR, you can try to setup a media-connect server, and you don't need any other equipment. For example, my Denon 4306 has an ethernet port and the capability to network with a computer. Several other AVRs have this capability also. All you have to do is configure the Windows Media Player to be a server and stream to your receiver (LINK).

 

[Warpdrv]

Xbox Media Center

With a modded xbox (Not xbox360) you can stream any form of media through an interface on the tv.. you can either stream stuff from your computer or load all the music on a larger (upgraded hard drive) right in the xbox itself...

Absolutely hands down the best method period... Ive been using this method for 5 years or more... The GUI interface is the easiest I have have found and used....

I have 2 terabyte servers in my basement, that I stream music & movies to any of my 3 xbmc in my house... over my WIRED giabyte network...

Alot of times you can buy them premodded with an upgraded HD online....
Or even buy one, and send it to someone and have it done..
http://www.productwiki.com/microsoft_xbox/article/how_to_go_from_xbox_to_xbox_media_center_in_30_minutes.html

Also good info here at http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php

 

[davidtwotrees]

I am not sure if this is what you are talking about but you did mention a music server. I have an Escient Fireball SE80. It is hooked up to my wired router system. It streams internet radio stations, and has XM capability, though I haven't used the XM feature. The unit works well, and fits right in nicely on my rack. The model I have is entry level. I wanted a ReQuest brand server, but couldn't come up with that kinda cash.
The internet radio sounds just fine on my rig, though I rarely listen to it.
As far as it being complicated to work. A definite NO to that. It was a breeze to hook up- I had a much harder time trying to do a wireless router! Took that back and ran a cabled router-it works flawlessly now.
I can't say enough times what a great thing a server is in my HT Stereo rig. My whole cd library available and displayed on my big screen....

 

[JJMP50]

Roku Soundbridge

I have had my Roku Soundbridge for about 8 months and I love it. When I first set it up, I only had dial-up access so I could not update the firmware. This did cause some issues but once I upgraded to high speed all my problems went away. It works well with WMP11 or they have Firefly Media Server you can download from their website. With the purchase of an inexpensive wireless router I went wireless without any problems and internet radio is great. Squeezebox beat them to the punch with a deal with Pandora but there is a work around although very complicated.

 

[trailertrash]

For $99 get an apple airport, works wired or wireless. Not sure what the charge is but get "Airfoil" too, it allows you to send any sound to your airport from your computer.

 

[superstar]

For $99 get an apple airport, works wired or wireless. Not sure what the charge is but get "Airfoil" too, it allows you to send any sound to your airport from your computer.

The only problem why I didn't choose the apple airport is because I did not want to be tied to just using Itunes and for the lack of media files support, I use MediaMonkey for music , eventually I will want to use ogg files instead of mp3s or something that it has a lossless format, I'm still debating which one yet...

 

[auujay]

Airfoil

The only problem why I didn't choose the apple airport is because I did not want to be tied to just using Itunes and for the lack of media files support, I use MediaMonkey for music , eventually I will want to use ogg files instead of mp3s or something that it has a lossless format, I'm still debating which one yet...

Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil lets you route ANY audio on your computer to the AirPort Express. I don't use this software with my Airport because I just use iTunes. The Airport is great, as long as you can easily get to your computer since there is no other way to control the songs that are playing. I have a laptop that we use to control the music going to the Airport which works great (even though the music is stored on a different computer upstairs).

 

[superstar]

Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil lets you route ANY audio on your computer to the AirPort Express. I don't use this software with my Airport because I just use iTunes. The Airport is great, as long as you can easily get to your computer since there is no other way to control the songs that are playing. I have a laptop that we use to control the music going to the Airport which works great (even though the music is stored on a different computer upstairs).

You might want to check if your phone is compatible with http://www.salling.com/Clicker/windows/ it let's you remotely connect your phone to the pc and manage the songs that are playing.

 

[Rickster71]

I am not sure if this is what you are talking about but you did mention a music server. I have an Escient Fireball SE80. It is hooked up to my wired router system. It streams internet radio stations, and has XM capability, though I haven't used the XM feature. The unit works well, and fits right in nicely on my rack. The model I have is entry level. I wanted a ReQuest brand server, but couldn't come up with that kinda cash.
The internet radio sounds just fine on my rig, though I rarely listen to it.
As far as it being complicated to work. A definite NO to that. It was a breeze to hook up- I had a much harder time trying to do a wireless router! Took that back and ran a cabled router-it works flawlessly now.
I can't say enough times what a great thing a server is in my HT Stereo rig. My whole cd library available and displayed on my big screen....

I'll have to second David's opinion.
I also have an Escient, it's the Fireball MX-111, it has a 160 GB hard drive, (see link Below)
my Cd's are copied in FLAC fomat.

My wife likes the fact that all the Cd's are put away.
Link below...
http://www.escient.com/products/mx111.html

 

[superstar]

I'll have to second David's opinion.
I also have an Escient, it's the Fireball MX-111, it has a 160 GB hard drive, (see link Below)
my Cd's are copied in FLAC fomat.

My wife likes the fact that all the Cd's are put away.
Link below...
http://www.escient.com/products/mx111.html

I just checked the price for that... ouch!! 2Gs! I'm sure it is nice but for that much, you can get some external terabyte hdds, 160GBs is too low for that price.

 

[Fargo]

Escient DVDM-300

The Escient product line is a great solution for streaming Internet radio to your HT/Audio gear. Simple to setup, operate and reliable. There are some pretty cool Internet radio stations that have some very specific genres. I don't believe that it would qualify has high fidelity but sounds pretty good nonetheless and adds a lot of variety. The DVDM-300 is not wireless, it has a wired (J-45) Ethernet connection, has a 300GB HD for your MP3’s and connects to 3 Sony 400-disc DVDP-777ES changers. Cool system; don’t know how I have lived with out it.

 

[davidtwotrees]

I just checked the price for that... ouch!! 2Gs! /QUOTE]

Mine was less than a grand. And not everyone is a techy for running computers into their home theatre. I am somewhere in the middle. The Escient line is perfect for me. It also looks great in my rack. I have seen an SE80 like mine on Audiogon for $500. That is totally worth it for a plug and play music server. Though the SE80 doesn't do FLAC, but the 320kbs recordings sound just fine for non critical listening..........

 

[trailertrash]

Mine was less than a grand. And not everyone is a techy for running computers into their home theatre. I am somewhere in the middle. The Escient line is perfect for me. It also looks great in my rack. I have seen an SE80 like mine on Audiogon for $500. That is totally worth it for a plug and play music server. Though the SE80 doesn't do FLAC, but the 320kbs recordings sound just fine for non critical listening..........

I thought I read you can play FLAC?

The local Tweeter has a bunch of these on clearance as the store is closing. If it could play a lossless format I would be tempted.

Just curious if anyone has cracked one of these open to see what type of drive it has and if it can be upgraded?