What can replace my Logitech Squeezebox... ?

drummerwill · « **on:** 6 Feb 2016, 06:28 pm »

I've got three of these things and I love the two that are working.. I want something of newer Tech,
That can do what my Squeezebox does !

Run a music library wirelessly from my computer ; play Pandora (wireless ) ; can play Radio stations
; all with Optical or RCA stereo outputs that can drive my amplifiers.

Does anyone have any suggestions..?

Thanks
Willie

RDavidson · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Feb 2016, 06:53 pm »

Auralic Aries Mini

Cappy · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Feb 2016, 06:54 pm »

Willie,

Check out this Sonore Sonic Orbiter device that just came out:

http://www.sonicorbiter.sonore.us/

There is a Sonore forum on Audiocircle, and lots of info on the device on computeraudiophile.com forums.

For wireless you would need additionally need to add some kind of wireless bridge or powerline adapter.

electricbear · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Feb 2016, 08:13 pm »

I second on the Auralic Aries Mini. $550 with a years free Tidal subscription. Ipad and iphone control only. Best sounding streamer at its respective price point. We are selling lots of them.

RBMitch · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Feb 2016, 08:15 pm »

I replaced a dead Squeezebox player with a Raspberry Pi - about $60 on Amazon for all you need - and PiCorePlayer software. Works great for me.

https://sites.google.com/site/picoreplayer/home

ctviggen · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Feb 2016, 08:43 pm »

You could also use Sonos.

mresseguie · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Feb 2016, 11:41 pm »

Drummerwill,

What is your budget for this device?

drummerwill · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 Feb 2016, 12:36 am »

About the same as a new SB was $200-$300 !

cloudbaseracer · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Feb 2016, 02:51 am »

Willie,

What is it that you do not like about the Touch you currently have?

-James

mresseguie · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Feb 2016, 03:46 am »

Have you considered purchasing a new DAC for $200 to $300; bypassing the DAC in the SBT but retaining the streaming functions? So what I suggest is: Touch => new DAC => preamp => amp

You still get to use the SBT for wireless streaming, radio, etc., and get the benefits of a newer DAC's capabilities. Just a thought.

rajacat · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Feb 2016, 04:35 am »

Folsom · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Feb 2016, 04:46 am »

Does it need a DAC? The Audioengine B1 works for limited resolution.

G · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Mar 2016, 04:26 pm »

Quote from: RBMitch on 6 Feb 2016, 08:15 pm

I replaced a dead Squeezebox player with a Raspberry Pi - about $60 on Amazon for all you need - and PiCorePlayer software. Works great for me.

https://sites.google.com/site/picoreplayer/home

I second this! Get a Raspberry pi 2 B and a HIFiBerry Digi+ and you will have the makings of a awesome digital player. Couple this with the Rune Audio software and you are set. Let me know if you need any pointers.

Gavin

ClefChef · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Mar 2016, 04:30 pm »

SB Touch with Enhanced Digital Output + good DAC = all you need. There is technical support beyond Logitech with software updates, plug-ins, and hacks. I expect mine (I have 3) to run for a while

jpm · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Mar 2016, 08:39 pm »

Quote from: electricbear on 6 Feb 2016, 08:13 pm

I second on the Auralic Aries Mini. $550 with a years free Tidal subscription. Ipad and iphone control only. Best sounding streamer at its respective price point. We are selling lots of them.

Taking the Tidal subscription into account, the Aries Mini hit's your price point for hardware alone. Others have pointed out some of the worthy alternatives, but the Aries Mini's user accessible internal drive bay shouldn't be underestimated in it's value.

Even if you have a NAS.

In my use case, I installed a 1TB SSD containing my 24 bit music. These size of these files makes them susceptible to WiFi performance issues - no issue stored locally though. Wired ethernet introduces a slew of noisy gremlins to track down which I'm less inclined to tolerate with high resolution files.

I've had either a NAS or server full of music for well over 15 years. Dipped my toes in the streaming pond many times with many devices. The Aries mini is the first device that I'm going to keep and (very likely) use more than disc based playback.

mfsoa · « **Reply #15 on:** 6 Mar 2016, 08:56 pm »

I 3rd the Raspberry Pi idea. Using one to replace a Touch. Run piCorePlayer on it and your Logitech Media Server PC thinks the Pi is just another squeezebox. Sound quality much better than the Touch.

Many here would be willing to help if needed. No Linux knowledge needed at all.

I can do 24/192 via coax, optical and USB, and also 2X DSD via USB.

For well under $100.

And it gives you incredible flexibility in upsampling/filtering options.

If you get tired of piCorePlayer you can break free from the Logitech Media Sever environment and try many other players (Rune, Volumio, Moode...)

I'm playing w/ Moode now, just to try it instead of piCorePlayer.

EZ peazey and I know nada about Linux.

Unless you like spending more $$ than you need to...

mresseguie · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 Mar 2016, 02:23 am »

Can the Raspberry Pi be used with a Mac Mini?

G · « **Reply #17 on:** 7 Mar 2016, 03:46 am »

Quote from: mresseguie on 7 Mar 2016, 02:23 am

Can the Raspberry Pi be used with a Mac Mini?

Absolutely. The Pi is a computer. All you are using your Mac for is to login to the Web UI. Check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmeUxk14vCc

G · « **Reply #18 on:** 7 Mar 2016, 03:48 am »

Quote from: mfsoa on 6 Mar 2016, 08:56 pm

I 3rd the Raspberry Pi idea. Using one to replace a Touch. Run piCorePlayer on it and your Logitech Media Server PC thinks the Pi is just another squeezebox. Sound quality much better than the Touch.

Many here would be willing to help if needed. No Linux knowledge needed at all.

I can do 24/192 via coax, optical and USB, and also 2X DSD via USB.

For well under $100.

And it gives you incredible flexibility in upsampling/filtering options.

If you get tired of piCorePlayer you can break free from the Logitech Media Sever environment and try many other players (Rune, Volumio, Moode...)

I'm playing w/ Moode now, just to try it instead of piCorePlayer.

EZ peazey and I know nada about Linux.

Unless you like spending more $$ than you need to...

So piCorePlayer supports DSD huh? There seem to be a lot of people trying to get Rune to work with it.

JohnR · « **Reply #19 on:** 7 Mar 2016, 09:49 am »

Quote from: mresseguie on 7 Mar 2016, 02:23 am

Can the Raspberry Pi be used with a Mac Mini?

For the Mac user who isn't specifically interested in a SBT replacement, these may be helpful:

http://www.hifizine.com/2015/10/pifi-how-to-network-your-mac-music-system-with-the-raspberry-pi-and-hifiberry-part-1/
http://www.hifizine.com/2016/02/pifi-how-to-network-your-mac-music-system-with-the-raspberry-pi-and-hifiberry-part-2/

(Sorry, this does seem to be going off-topic...)