Wireless Music Streaming. Again.
Discussion
I'd like to be able to listen to my music collection in several rooms around the house (3 or 4 perhaps) but am struggling to find wireless music streaming kit that meets my particular (and peculiar) needs. Hence turning to the PH experts for advice. 
I have an existing wireless network, more networked storage than I need (which already contains all of my digitised music) and an amp+speakers in one of the rooms.
I therefore think that I am missing: amps+speakers in the other rooms and a host computer on the network (possibly needed) as well as the music streaming system.
I'd like to find a solution that doesn't involve duplicating too much existing kit and uses my current infrastructure: the ideal would be self-contained playback boxes in two or three rooms (incorporating amp, speakers, network interface, not necessarily the ultimate in HiFi) and a playback box with network interface that I can attach to the existing amp/speakers all of which can stream directly from my existing network storage.
From what I can see:
- Squeezebox demands a PC host on the network somewhere as well as external amps/speakers in all the rooms.
- Sonos will duplicate my wireless network with one of its own but does offer units with built-in amps (but not speakers), and doesn't require a PC host. It is also pretty expensive.
- The Philips Streamium looks promising - they do a one box playback which seems to be able to connect to an existing music source: anyone know if this can stream directly from a network storage device or whether it has to go through a PC?
- Roku Soundbridge is like Squeezebox in needing external amps/speakers and a PC host.
Any ideas, suggestions or experiences from those who have been down this route?
I have an existing wireless network, more networked storage than I need (which already contains all of my digitised music) and an amp+speakers in one of the rooms.
I therefore think that I am missing: amps+speakers in the other rooms and a host computer on the network (possibly needed) as well as the music streaming system.
I'd like to find a solution that doesn't involve duplicating too much existing kit and uses my current infrastructure: the ideal would be self-contained playback boxes in two or three rooms (incorporating amp, speakers, network interface, not necessarily the ultimate in HiFi) and a playback box with network interface that I can attach to the existing amp/speakers all of which can stream directly from my existing network storage.
From what I can see:
- Squeezebox demands a PC host on the network somewhere as well as external amps/speakers in all the rooms.
- Sonos will duplicate my wireless network with one of its own but does offer units with built-in amps (but not speakers), and doesn't require a PC host. It is also pretty expensive.
- The Philips Streamium looks promising - they do a one box playback which seems to be able to connect to an existing music source: anyone know if this can stream directly from a network storage device or whether it has to go through a PC?
- Roku Soundbridge is like Squeezebox in needing external amps/speakers and a PC host.
Any ideas, suggestions or experiences from those who have been down this route?
I use a ROKU sound bridge with the wireless option running into a Yamaha sound projector in the room. This all runs of my iTunes via wireless network.
I think that the only limitation is that you are limited to the number of concurrent music streams from a single instance of iTunes (if you are running this?) I think this is 5. I have seen 4 ROKU's in different rooms running fine. You do need connec them to speaker / amps but it would depend on what your music systems are in each room. For instance I have 1 runnignto the Yamaha sound projecttor and another connected into the back of a DAB radio in the bedroom.
I think that the only limitation is that you are limited to the number of concurrent music streams from a single instance of iTunes (if you are running this?) I think this is 5. I have seen 4 ROKU's in different rooms running fine. You do need connec them to speaker / amps but it would depend on what your music systems are in each room. For instance I have 1 runnignto the Yamaha sound projecttor and another connected into the back of a DAB radio in the bedroom.
Plotloss said:
SQB
Active Speakers
Oooh - linky linky with details? Active Speakers
Plotloss said:
I'll find a way to shoehorn SlimServer onto a NAS you've got, if its just not possible then a diskless QNap TS-101 and move a drive from another.
LaCie Ethernet Disk Mini? Been done before? QNap TS-101 - wassat?
Plotloss said:
Email for pricing goodness.
That might just be a fine idea ... www.audioengineusa.com for the active speakers.
Cant find any chat about a successful porting of the SlimServer onto the Ethernet Disk Mini will continue looking...
The QNap is a NAS with the SlimServer onboard, if you have drives lying around the most cost effective way of doing it would be to use an existing disk in the QNap bare chassis. Alternatively it is available with installed 200, 300, 400 or 500GB disks.
www.qnap.com.tw/pro_detail_feature.asp?p_id=67
Cant find any chat about a successful porting of the SlimServer onto the Ethernet Disk Mini will continue looking...
The QNap is a NAS with the SlimServer onboard, if you have drives lying around the most cost effective way of doing it would be to use an existing disk in the QNap bare chassis. Alternatively it is available with installed 200, 300, 400 or 500GB disks.
www.qnap.com.tw/pro_detail_feature.asp?p_id=67
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff