Squeezebox replacement for less than $30!

lcrim · « **Reply #160 on:** 28 Feb 2013, 05:48 pm »

There is a necessity here to run the LMS (Logitech Media Server) somewhere and therefore JRiver must be discarded. The Pogoplug is running a version of Squeezebox called Squeezelite, which is happy on linux. It allows 24/96 playback but a version of LMS (7.8 beta) can be utilized so that the storage can be in flac but playback can be PCM.
In the course of doing this, Randy and others learned that the Pogo can run the LMS software, which lowers the overhead needed for this package. Saying that you don't want to use a PC to do this function is incorrect in that the Pogoplug is a linux PC.
Recently I added the iFi iUSB Power to my two playback chains and the sound quality is now thoroughly top notch. The iFi units are very budget friendly devices as well.
I found that the sound w/ the Pogoplugs serving as a substitute for the Squeezebox Touch was actually superior to the Touch devices themselves. Asynchronous USB DACs are part of the chain and that was the start of this direction for me, as well as the Enhanced Digital Output mod, written by Triode. Turns out that Triode also compiled Squeezelite so I owe him a debt of gratitude for this turn of events. In my case the quality is extraordinary and my costs have been cut hugely. A Win/Win by any reckoning.
Larry

charmerci · « **Reply #161 on:** 28 Feb 2013, 06:30 pm »

Quote from: randytsuch on 28 Feb 2013, 04:44 pm

A few things then.

If you want to replace your PC for music, then the Pogo needs to act as a music server, and run LMS, aka squeezeserver. For this, the Pogo would need a USB drive large enough to hold whatever music you want on it.
I listen to Flac files, which take up a fair amount of space.

The bigger problem is if you don't have a router, you can only connect one thing (your PC). I kind of doubt you can connect the PC directly to the Pogo, or the Pogo to whatever kind of internet box you have. Most people connect their internet box (I have a cable modem, others use DSL) to a wifi router, which also usually has some ethernet ports, so you can connect to it through wifi or ethernet.

Without a router, you won't be able to setup the pogo.

One more thing, for what you want, you may need two pogo's, one to run squeezeserver, and one to interface to the USB DAC. I couldn't get one Pogo to do both reliably, and gave up after a while because for $20 it was taking too much time.

So basically, you need at least a usb drive to hold your music and a router, and maybe another pogo.

BTW, you can pick up routers cheap on ebay, if they are a little older technology, but that should be fine for what you would need.

Randy

Thanks for the response, Randy. I think I'll pass on this.

AB · « **Reply #162 on:** 28 Feb 2013, 06:32 pm »

So you can use EDO on the pogoplug. I didn't realize that. (Maybe I haven't been paying attention)
Does it work the same way as on a Touch?
Thanks

lcrim · « **Reply #163 on:** 28 Feb 2013, 06:43 pm »

Quote from: AB on 28 Feb 2013, 06:32 pm

So you can use EDO on the pogoplug. I didn't realize that. (Maybe I haven't been paying attention)
Does it work the same way as on a Touch?
Thanks

No thats not true, I was describing my path to using this device. Please reread my post. They are apples and oranges.
Larry

AB · « **Reply #164 on:** 28 Feb 2013, 07:14 pm »

Ok. Understood.

AB · « **Reply #165 on:** 1 Mar 2013, 04:11 pm »

Preferring not to blow up anything, I have a quick question.
Is is possible to adjust the volume of the pogoplug gizmo through the web or tablet interface?
I assume so but I don't know for sure.
Thanks

randytsuch · « **Reply #166 on:** 1 Mar 2013, 04:40 pm »

Quote from: AB on 1 Mar 2013, 04:11 pm

Preferring not to blow up anything, I have a quick question.
Is is possible to adjust the volume of the pogoplug gizmo through the web or tablet interface?
I assume so but I don't know for sure.
Thanks

If you enable volume control (actually leave it enabled) in LMS/squeezeserver, then you can adjust the volume with it.

You will be truncating bits (degrading the audio), but it will work.
I have listened like this in the past, and it still can sound pretty good, but it's not ideal.

Randy

AB · « **Reply #167 on:** 1 Mar 2013, 05:17 pm »

Right now I'm just trying to get the Pogoplug working.
Once it's stable and playing music, I'll worry about getting good sound.

Thanks

BFitz · « **Reply #168 on:** 1 Mar 2013, 06:19 pm »

There also is volume control function in the Alsamixer, (via putty) which you could play with to hear which sounds better. But definitely not as convenient as the squeeze interface. More like set it once and forget it.

On my VAMP install it always comes up attenuated, so may be worth looking at it on yours. I set it to 0dB and then store.
You adjust the level via the up and down arrow keys.

randytsuch · « **Reply #169 on:** 1 Mar 2013, 08:15 pm »

I use the free iphone app mostly, it's my favorite controller for LMS,

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/logitech-squeezebox-controller/id431302899?mt=8

In the screenshots you can see the volume control slider on the bottom of the left screen

They must have a similar android app if you have an android tablet.

If you use the PC interface through a web browser, the volume slider also shows up.

Randy

FloridaBear · « **Reply #170 on:** 2 Mar 2013, 05:56 pm »

I have gotten the VAMP up and running, using my PC as a music server, and the ODAC as an external DAC. When I first started playing music, I heard many, many clicks during playback. Just unlistenable. However, when I used alsamixer to put the volume at 100%, and also put the LMS volume control to 100%, the clicks are diminished, but still enough that this will not work as a music player for me. I have tried a couple different USB ports with no success.

This appears to be independent of file or output format (i.e. MP3 256k to FLAC 24/96).

Has anyone else used an ODAC? Has anyone seen this problem with other DACs? The ODAC has been just flawless when used with a PC.

On another topic (and assuming I can get the click problem fixed), is there any way to force the pogoplug to output 24 bits? That would really improve things when using digital volume control.

Obviously, not a lot invested in this solution, but it seems so close to working great that I thought I'd see if anyone had ideas. Buffer settings someplace maybe?

Thanks!

randytsuch · « **Reply #171 on:** 3 Mar 2013, 04:26 pm »

Quote from: FloridaBear on 2 Mar 2013, 05:56 pm

I have gotten the VAMP up and running, using my PC as a music server, and the ODAC as an external DAC. When I first started playing music, I heard many, many clicks during playback. Just unlistenable. However, when I used alsamixer to put the volume at 100%, and also put the LMS volume control to 100%, the clicks are diminished, but still enough that this will not work as a music player for me. I have tried a couple different USB ports with no success.

This appears to be independent of file or output format (i.e. MP3 256k to FLAC 24/96).

Has anyone else used an ODAC? Has anyone seen this problem with other DACs? The ODAC has been just flawless when used with a PC.

On another topic (and assuming I can get the click problem fixed), is there any way to force the pogoplug to output 24 bits? That would really improve things when using digital volume control.

Obviously, not a lot invested in this solution, but it seems so close to working great that I thought I'd see if anyone had ideas. Buffer settings someplace maybe?

Thanks!

I don't have a odac, but I can't see why it would matter, unless the usb chip used in the odac needs a different driver?
How are you connecting this, are you hardwired from the PC and the Pogo to your router or a switch?

My Pogo is connected to a wireless router setup as a client, and I have had a occasional dropout with a bad signal, but when I moved the router to get a better signal then things are fine. I mostly listen to flac, ripped from CDs.

You could also ask at the vortexbox forum, maybe someone there has used a pogo and odac combo.

Randy

EDIT
By coincidence, just saw this at vortexbox
http://vortexbox.org/threads/4443-Squeezebox-device-alternatives?p=30352&viewfull=1#post30352

AB · « **Reply #172 on:** 3 Mar 2013, 05:12 pm »

I ordered two Pogoplugs from The Vortexbox Amazon store. They arrived on Friday and were gray E02 versions.
I borrowed a friends HRT Streamer II+ for the DAC and I followed the VB site's set up instructions.
It all went smoothly and one of the PP's is now a VAMP and playing music. It's connected to a Wireless AP.
LMS is running on my NAS.
It sounds fine. I'm not sure I like the Streamer II+.

It's sound reminds me of just how good the Touch (with TT installed) is.

Does the VAMP support 24/196? The Streamer II+ does not. I'm just curious.

Now I will try to put LMS on the other Pogoplug and see if I can get both working together.

FloridaBear · « **Reply #173 on:** 3 Mar 2013, 06:24 pm »

OK, so this is interesting. I had posted above that I was hearing clicks and such when playing via my ODAC, especially when volume was adjusted in the LMS interface. I have been trying many different things to try and remedy the situation, including launching squeezelite with different buffer settings, etc. Nothing affected the clicks, which occurred every few seconds, it seemed.

As yet another thing to try, I moved the USB stick to the front slot of the pogoplug (did I miss this in the docs somewhere? Certainly possible), and booted in that configuration--and presto, the clicks were completely gone. I am not sure why that makes a difference, as I would think that once all programs are up and running, it won't even be accessing the stick any more, but there it is. Even the volume can be adjusted without issues. Amazing!

Thanks to the players who made this cool little device happen.

So, I'm in business!

BFitz · « **Reply #174 on:** 15 Mar 2013, 04:34 pm »

Here's a good post from the VB forums about updating the VAMP player software. This apparently solves the problem with the VAMP disconnecting from the network. The fix is detailed in post #3.

http://vortexbox.org/threads/4705-A-few-VAMP-notes

I tried this on mine, used in server mode, and it still works fine as a server.

Earlier when I tried to use my Pogo as both a server and player, it worked at first. But then the player didn't work after a while. Rebooting it made the VAMP player work again, but after a while, it would "break" again. I wonder if this fix above, going to the latest squeezelite software, will solve that...Seems worthwhile doing the upgrade, especially if you are experiencing the disconnect problem.

randytsuch · « **Reply #175 on:** 15 Mar 2013, 05:34 pm »

Quote from: BFitz on 15 Mar 2013, 04:34 pm

Here's a good post from the VB forums about updating the VAMP player software. This apparently solves the problem with the VAMP disconnecting from the network. The fix is detailed in post #3.

http://vortexbox.org/threads/4705-A-few-VAMP-notes

I tried this on mine, used in server mode, and it still works fine as a server.

Earlier when I tried to use my Pogo as both a server and player, it worked at first. But then the player didn't work after a while. Rebooting it made the VAMP player work again, but after a while, it would "break" again. I wonder if this fix above, going to the latest squeezelite software, will solve that...Seems worthwhile doing the upgrade, especially if you are experiencing the disconnect problem.

Hey, I saw that post a couple days ago, and did it too. I was going to post about it but you beat me to it.

I upgraded my player (I don't think this matters for a LMS Pogo), and it seems to work fine. It is an easy upgrade, and it was fast.
Downloading the new software only took a few seconds for me.

BTW, the work for a while and break with the combined server/player sounds like the problems I was having, before I gave up and went to seperate units.

Randy

mcgsxr · « **Reply #176 on:** 15 Mar 2013, 10:33 pm »

Thanks for keeping the info here current, and saving a group of us from chasing this down from multiple forums.

I am still likely 5-6 weeks away from setting one up, but appreciate that I can find all I need here!

BFitz · « **Reply #177 on:** 21 Mar 2013, 05:00 pm »

FYI, there is a new VAMP image available - 0.4
I installed and tested it, it works great.

This new release includes squeezelite 1.0, and also now has a menu when you log into the VAMP via the IP address, i.e. 192.168.1.226 (or whatever your VAMP IP is). Now you can reboot or shutdown from this VAMP web interface (tab on right menu "system"). Detailed settings are now under the "apps" tab - click on "squeezelite"

http://vortexbox.org/content/150-Building-the-VAMP

Bob

mcgsxr · « **Reply #178 on:** 10 Apr 2013, 02:16 pm »

I finally have the time to start sorting through this.

I have 2 of the units, and would like to set one up as both server and player.

I have printed out randyt's primer, and downloaded the s/w (VAMP version, LMS, putty etc) but have yet to take a run at it all.

Has there been anything else that has developed that I should be aware of, or a new approach etc?

Thanks guys,

mcgsxr · « **Reply #179 on:** 25 Apr 2013, 12:27 am »

Hmmn, I cannot get the USB image tool to install on my computer, I keep getting errors.

Putty was pretty simple to follow, but I have to get the image tool going to get it all finished. I will try another PC in the house.