Home audio server?
Discussion
Looking for a device to store and play my music collection - several hundred CDs in a mix of ALAC and FLAC. Used to have an old PC that I ran as a media server until it died and looking for an option that doesn't involve having a PC on 24/7, though not completely against that if its the right way to go.
I do have an apple TV and a couple of airport express repeaters which I used to use to send music to various rooms before I started using FLAC. I've no need to send the music to different rooms so just need an output into an Amp.
Sonos, Squeezebox, Soundbridge are all names I've heard of, but know not much about..
It would be handy to have an interface that I can control in a similar way to the way I used to use remote on my iPhone, but loosing patience with iTunes so looking for an alternative..
I do have an apple TV and a couple of airport express repeaters which I used to use to send music to various rooms before I started using FLAC. I've no need to send the music to different rooms so just need an output into an Amp.
Sonos, Squeezebox, Soundbridge are all names I've heard of, but know not much about..
It would be handy to have an interface that I can control in a similar way to the way I used to use remote on my iPhone, but loosing patience with iTunes so looking for an alternative..
If you're happy to have things running on a PC as a server then I can't recommend JRiver highly enough. Functions both as a player and media server, will stream content around the network, over WAN, can be remote controlled by smartphone/tablet, supports multi-zone playback (different content of sync'd playback of the same stuff across all connected devices). I also use it to auto-transcode my FLAC to ogg and then copy it to my phone (two-click process).
It will require a bit of setting up but I haven't found anything it can't do.
www.jriver.com
It will require a bit of setting up but I haven't found anything it can't do.
www.jriver.com
Nice big network hard drive (NAS) and Sonos, lots of options on the former (Netgear, Synology, Western Digital etc.) and plenty of advice in this forum for the latter. No better interface than offered by Sonos and multi-room set up is a breeze with lots of options. You'll only need a PC to manage your library, otherwise not required.
Thanks both, couple of good options to have a look at..
Listened to a track I know well stored lossless and played through a valve amp at the weekend and the difference over what I remember from a system I built up a while ago was quite staggering.
I can see this is could get expensive.
Listened to a track I know well stored lossless and played through a valve amp at the weekend and the difference over what I remember from a system I built up a while ago was quite staggering.
I can see this is could get expensive.
Funk said:
I'd second this. I used to use squeezeboxes, but I wanted to make use of the USB input on my new Devialet. I tried the EDO mod for the squeezebox but it didn't work very reliably for me, so it was time for some research. I ended up with an Intel NUC (tiny PC) running J-River and pulling files from my existing file server. It works perfectly and has allowed me to make a start ripping music DVDs too.If you want something similar to Sonos you could try 2nd hand Squeezeboxes. I use these and work perfectly well. Obviously far cheaper which is not hard compared to a Sonos setup 
You do need something running the server software but many NAS boxes are more than capable. I have a PC on doing this job but a NAS would do the same.
You do need something running the server software but many NAS boxes are more than capable. I have a PC on doing this job but a NAS would do the same.From your requirements, I'd recommend going the micro server route.
I have a HP N40L in the loft, loaded up with 4 assorted spinners for media and 1 SSD for the OS. It streams content (video/ music/ pictures) to a HTPC in the lounge (XBMC) and music to a Sonos Play: 1 in the kitchen. Any other device on the network can also connect to and utilise it of course.
You can pick the current N54L up for around £100 after cashback. Add some large HDD's and track down a cheap OS and Bob's your sisters brother!
You can run it headless, connecting to it via RDP session or using 3rd party apps like Team Viewer.
I don't treat it like a traditional server as I switch it off between usage as I'm into energy saving at the moment. I can wake it and access it from anywhere in the world though, providing I can get on the web.
A fantastic little device that serves (excuse the pun) many purposes.
Paul
I have a HP N40L in the loft, loaded up with 4 assorted spinners for media and 1 SSD for the OS. It streams content (video/ music/ pictures) to a HTPC in the lounge (XBMC) and music to a Sonos Play: 1 in the kitchen. Any other device on the network can also connect to and utilise it of course.
You can pick the current N54L up for around £100 after cashback. Add some large HDD's and track down a cheap OS and Bob's your sisters brother!
You can run it headless, connecting to it via RDP session or using 3rd party apps like Team Viewer.
I don't treat it like a traditional server as I switch it off between usage as I'm into energy saving at the moment. I can wake it and access it from anywhere in the world though, providing I can get on the web.
A fantastic little device that serves (excuse the pun) many purposes.
Paul
I use a micro server and squeezebox for the players. 2nd hand only now or use one of the various pi based deployments that are available. Cheaper but a bit more diddly that sonos. Controlled via ipeng on the iPad.
Then xbmc on pi for video. Also served up from the MS.
I run lights out on my MS which allows wake on LAN from the squeezebox and wake on boot for other connected devices. I can also set start up and shut down times for it via this app. So it's off when not needed saving power. It auto wakes at night to run backups and upload to my on line storage.
Then xbmc on pi for video. Also served up from the MS.
I run lights out on my MS which allows wake on LAN from the squeezebox and wake on boot for other connected devices. I can also set start up and shut down times for it via this app. So it's off when not needed saving power. It auto wakes at night to run backups and upload to my on line storage.
HP Micro Server for me too - it's awesome 
I connect it to my Arcam AMP via a small USB DAC (http://www.whathifi.com/review/hrt-music-streamer-ii). I run WinAmp on the server, and use aWARemote to remote control WinAmp from any of the 10,000 android devices that are around the house.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.g...
IMO, the great thing about using a server (over, say, a NAS) is that you have a general purpose computer on the network, with loads of storage, for doing anything that you like - you can run whatever OS/software you need for your purposes. In addition to playing music through the micro server, we also connect to it from a WD TV live to stream video to our TV.
I connect it to my Arcam AMP via a small USB DAC (http://www.whathifi.com/review/hrt-music-streamer-ii). I run WinAmp on the server, and use aWARemote to remote control WinAmp from any of the 10,000 android devices that are around the house.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.g...
IMO, the great thing about using a server (over, say, a NAS) is that you have a general purpose computer on the network, with loads of storage, for doing anything that you like - you can run whatever OS/software you need for your purposes. In addition to playing music through the micro server, we also connect to it from a WD TV live to stream video to our TV.
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