Audio streamer
Discussion
Looking to replace our Arcam Solo mini with something a bit more up to date. Currently I have a Chromecast plugged into it but it's all a bit clunky.
Does the following sort of thing exist...
One box - similar size to the mini
Streams from Spotify, Chromecast built in and preferably plays nicely with my Google home stuff
Internet radio
Has a built in CD player
Streams MP3s from a NAS. Could move on this one if it took memory cards/sticks
Happy with the current speakers so just want to replace the mini. The Marantz Melody X seems to hit the mark, does it do what I need or is there anything better? Preferably for under £500
Does the following sort of thing exist...
One box - similar size to the mini
Streams from Spotify, Chromecast built in and preferably plays nicely with my Google home stuff
Internet radio
Has a built in CD player
Streams MP3s from a NAS. Could move on this one if it took memory cards/sticks
Happy with the current speakers so just want to replace the mini. The Marantz Melody X seems to hit the mark, does it do what I need or is there anything better? Preferably for under £500
Edited by Gren on Sunday 5th January 14:29
If I was starting again, I’d look at the offerings from Bluesound. I’m using Tidal at the moment through a cobbled together streaming set up, but my Naim CDX CD player hasn’t seen any use since I started the Tidal trial offer before Christmas.
I suspect I’ll be buying the Bluesound Node 2i streamer to plug into my Naim system, and not replacing my CDX when it dies.
I suspect I’ll be buying the Bluesound Node 2i streamer to plug into my Naim system, and not replacing my CDX when it dies.
Tony1963 said:
If I was starting again, I’d look at the offerings from Bluesound. I’m using Tidal at the moment through a cobbled together streaming set up, but my Naim CDX CD player hasn’t seen any use since I started the Tidal trial offer before Christmas.
I suspect I’ll be buying the Bluesound Node 2i streamer to plug into my Naim system, and not replacing my CDX when it dies.
Interesting option but its £800 (with the amp) and no CD player and even an extra £50 for a remote. I'm struggling to see what's so good about it? The £500 version seems to do more or less the same as my Chromecast only with its own app. I'm sure I must be missing something?I suspect I’ll be buying the Bluesound Node 2i streamer to plug into my Naim system, and not replacing my CDX when it dies.
I'm torn on the whole CD thing to be honest. I hardly ever play CDs and haven't bought one for around 3 years but its the only player in the house, unless you count the PC, and a huge stash of CDs would then be pointless plastic.
Although it's not one box, have a look at the Yamaha CD-NT 670 and the A670 amp.
It's usually sold as a system with speakers (MCR 670) but you can buy the bits separately.
Does everything you want and Bluetooth too.
Advantage over the Marantz is that the Yamaha can be part of a multi-room system with other Yamaha MusicCast speakers which the Marantz can't.
Should be available in your budget.
It's usually sold as a system with speakers (MCR 670) but you can buy the bits separately.
Does everything you want and Bluetooth too.
Advantage over the Marantz is that the Yamaha can be part of a multi-room system with other Yamaha MusicCast speakers which the Marantz can't.
Should be available in your budget.
I purchased a Denon DRA100 just before Christmas to replace and ageing Marantz Consolette. I linked it up to a pair of Tannoy Revolution XT Mini bookshelf speakers. Stunning bit of kit, lovely sound. Playing FLAC from my home server and spotify and internet radio. Doesn't have a CD Player as I have no need for one, but bluetooth works perfectly too. It is now cheaper than £500.
SwissJonese said:
I purchased a Denon DRA100 just before Christmas to replace and ageing Marantz Consolette. I linked it up to a pair of Tannoy Revolution XT Mini bookshelf speakers. Stunning bit of kit, lovely sound. Playing FLAC from my home server and spotify and internet radio. Doesn't have a CD Player as I have no need for one, but bluetooth works perfectly too. It is now cheaper than £500.
A very nice looking piece of kit. I'm a sucker for form (almost) over function. That might just be on the shortlist if I can cut the CD ties - the matching CD player almost doubles the price and makes it more than I can justify.In typical PH style I decided to ignore you all, sort of.
Going for a Teufel connector as it does everything my cca does only better with Spotify built in and the ability to stream from PC - All controlled from within 1 app. Should be a better sounding and less cobbled together version of the Chromecast.
Thanks to Tony1963 for opening my mind to the idea even if I wasn't prepared to stretch to the Bluesound. In the end I decided that unless I spent big I'd not be replacing the Solo with anything that much better so a 'bolt on' streamer seemed the better option.
£109 to get a few years more out of it sounds like a bargain.
Going for a Teufel connector as it does everything my cca does only better with Spotify built in and the ability to stream from PC - All controlled from within 1 app. Should be a better sounding and less cobbled together version of the Chromecast.
Thanks to Tony1963 for opening my mind to the idea even if I wasn't prepared to stretch to the Bluesound. In the end I decided that unless I spent big I'd not be replacing the Solo with anything that much better so a 'bolt on' streamer seemed the better option.
£109 to get a few years more out of it sounds like a bargain.
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