[kevin360]

Well, this has certainly proven to be more challenging than I expected. After integrating a PC with the bedroom system, I built a library on disk which now resides on a NAS (in both places, actually – and the NAS is a mirrored setup (redundancy is good )). I merged the garage/mancave into my network and embarked on the journey down the discless road.

I started with a Sonos Connect, which I still have (but) and then bought a Marantz NA7004. The latter turned out to be a bust – I could live with its less ergonomic operation, but I could not tolerate the fact that it cannot transition between files without introducing a gap. It's a 'feature' which destroys the experience of quite a number of albums and a completely unanticipated shortcoming. Where is this mentioned in any of the manufacturer's literature or anyone's review? Fortunately, it's been returned to Marantz and the purchase price has been returned to me...and the Sonos was returned to the room.

That return was short-lived. New flooring and various changes in the house relocated my wireless router from the dining room to the living room – from the outside wall facing the garage to an interior wall. This hasn't resulted in any degradation of performance with the bridge in the garage, but my phone no longer operates reliably at all with my wireless network upstairs in the cave (the entertainment devices are wired to the bridge downstairs). There are metal roofs on both structures and they are about 20' apart. The only means of controlling the Sonos is via the network, so that solution is no longer functional.

Here I am – back at square one. Well, I'm not exactly at the first square. I have a library built and I really like the ARC DAC I'll use with the next device. I'd just like to know what to try next. My experience with the NA7004 has me a little gun shy. I suppose I could locate a network drop on the floor near my listening seat (so that I could control the Sonos with my notebook), but that would mean that I'd have a wire running along the outside of my ceiling in the garage (no other way to get it where it has to go – at least, not without a pretty good bit of deconstruction/reconstruction).

So, what I'd like to know is: has anyone a better suggestion? What network (devices that pull files from a USB connected disk don't qualify) audio player uses an IR remote, is fairly ergonomic and can transition between files without chopping them apart?

[JEaton]

I think I followed maybe 1/4th of that. Where exactly is everything located? Upstairs? Mancave? Garage? Listening chair?

[Vincent Kars]

If running a wire is not an option have a look at WiFi repeaters or a home plug (ethernet over power lines)

[JLM]

If running a wire is not an option have a look at WiFi repeaters or a home plug (ethernet over power lines)

Here's the link to the Home Plug Alliance (that promotes companies that offer such products):  https://www.homeplug.org/home/

[dawnrazor]

That return was short-lived. New flooring and various changes in the house relocated my wireless router from the dining room to the living room – from the outside wall facing the garage to an interior wall. This hasn't resulted in any degradation of performance with the bridge in the garage, but my phone no longer operates reliably at all with my wireless network upstairs in the cave (the entertainment devices are wired to the bridge downstairs). There are metal roofs on both structures and they are about 20' apart. The only means of controlling the Sonos is via the network, so that solution is no longer functional.

So, what I'd like to know is: has anyone a better suggestion? What network (devices that pull files from a USB connected disk don't qualify) audio player uses an IR remote, is fairly ergonomic and can transition between files without chopping them apart?

Hey Kev,

Personally I would just use that Lynx of yours and build a stand alone box around it.  hey, I might even know a website for all that

But your easiest solution AFAIK is to buy the Sonos Control and use your Sonos.  See if I read their site right, the Control is the only device that accesses Sonos' own network.  your phone doesnt do that and has to talk to the regular network and not the Sonos network.  So if your Connect is working off the bridge then the Control should be able to talk to the Connect and just work.  That is why it is $349.

http://www.sonos.com/shop/products/control

D

[kevin360]

Hey D!

Thanks for the suggestion, but that remote costs as much as an HP tablet which, I discovered, works great (and gives me functionality the Sonos Remote doesn't) - borrowed my son's. I still want a 'better' solution than the Sonos Connect, but I can't fault the little box on its behavior. To be honest, using the ARC DAC7 with the Sonos yields pretty impressive sound quality. The only real issue I have is that the Sonos doesn't support 24/96. Better that than a player that can't transition between files without a gap. I've been trying to avoid putting a computer in the cave, but that's probably silly.

K

[dawnrazor]

Hey D!

Thanks for the suggestion, but that remote costs as much as an HP tablet which, I discovered, works great (and gives me functionality the Sonos Remote doesn't) - borrowed my son's. I still want a 'better' solution than the Sonos Connect, but I can't fault the little box on its behavior. To be honest, using the ARC DAC7 with the Sonos yields pretty impressive sound quality. The only real issue I have is that the Sonos doesn't support 24/96. Better that than a player that can't transition between files without a gap. I've been trying to avoid putting a computer in the cave, but that's probably silly.

K

Is there a way to reply without quoting? 

Anyhow now you get cheap after all the money you spent

SOunds like you really want a squeeze box touch to me....

[srb]

Is there a way to reply without quoting? 

Yes, Use the Reply button/tab located at the top and bottom of the page instead of the Quote link in each post.

Steve

[dawnrazor]

Thanks Steve.

I guess I am used to replying to specific posts but not having to quote.

I guess this forum doesnt really do that and posts just run together unless you quote or somehow distinguish what you are replying to.

Thanks.

[kevin360]

Yep, this format doesn't really provide for the tangential discussions, but they don't really seem any more 'destructive' to the main discussion than the format with which you are familiar. S2KI is quite similar, so I don't find it particularly unfamiliar. Although I prefer the organization of the branching threads, this format is more temporally ergonomic.  You'll get accustomed to it.

As far as this 'cheaping out' mess is concerned, I assure you that I haven't bottomed out yet. I just (yesterday) bought another set of input tubes to stash in a cabinet. I think I'll buy one more set. Hell, if nothing else, it's an investment – the pool of military tubes from the '40s is drying up. I'm a little ticked about the Marantz player. So, I beg your forgiveness for going cheap with the Sonos (which I bought first because my dealer stocks them) – the damn thing works a treat! The Audio Research DAC takes care of the clocking, so that's really a red herring.

At some point, I'd love a better player. I still have my eyes on the Bryston unit. If I remember what I read correctly, there's some discussion concerning the addition of NAS support. Should that happen, I'm in! I guess it's still a product category in its youth – though, in one form or another, digital media players are practically ubiquitous.

[dawnrazor]

Hey Kev,

The Audio Research DAC takes care of the clocking, so that's really a red herring.

YIKES.  So help me understand that.  Are you saying all transports sound the same because the dac takes care of the clocking???