[matthewpartrick]

Assume the amp is older, like we may be lucky to have optical input.  I wanted to recommend a chromecast audio, but how would the NAS talk to the GCA, would something like audirvana do this? (I run Roon and some more complicated setups, trying to help a friend.)

[Rusty Jefferson]

So, it's an integrated amp with digital inputs? A Raspberry pi on the network would work.  If the amp didn't have usb input I imagine there's a hat for the pi that would output s/pdif. Also a couple people selling older Squeezeboxes on the Trading Post. That would probably be cheaper and they have analogue and digital outputs.

[ooheadsoo]

Depends on the NAS software, but you just need a phone to "cast" to the GCA.  I run a synology NAS and I use their free (synology) software to host the music on the NAS and stream it to the phone via their free app.  The phone app logs into the server on the NAS and from there, the app can either play it on the phone or cast it to a cast target, such as GCA.

RPi seems to be another very popular solution, although it seems like it takes a bit more elbow grease to get it set up.  And you still need to figure out what software you want to run on it for your hosting.  The upside is that I believe it will play high resolution audio files.  If that's the goal, then RPi seems to be the way to go.

[WGH]

Is $549 too much?



Review of Bluesound Node 2i: http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/bluesound-node-2i-wireless-multi-room-high-res-music-streamer/?mc_cid=16e7c6fb32&mc_eid=617444c021

"The Node 2i is a music server, streamer, and DAC that via the proprietary NAD/Bluesound BluOS app accesses most of the popular music-streaming services (Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, etc.) and Internet radio, as well as music files off hard drives, including your downloads, your iTunes library, and other musical content from a NAS drive, all without a computer."

https://www.bluesound.com/products/node/

[tsusko]

Probably works the best but not the cheapest.  I am currently testing out these two this weekend.

Phorus PR5
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MY790GW/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

Klipsch Gate:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M5B793S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Both have Play-Fi and supposedly use NAS but not sure how functional the apps are.

Will report black.

[Doublej]

If using Chromecast Audio, I think you would use a Chromecast app that supports playing music from a NAS. From this list, https://www.google.com/chromecast/built-in/apps/#?speakers, I would say would Plex or perhaps one of the Google apps (Youtube Music or Google Play Music but these might only play your music if it is uploaded to Google's cloud)

Here is an old thread on the topic.

You might get more flexibility with a Muzo Cobblestone player as it appears to support DLNA.

[Phil A]

A Synology NAS (as an example) has their own App - DS Audio (https://www.synology.com/en-global/knowledgebase/Mobile/help/DSaudio/iOS_iPhone).  If you can get a small cheap fanless PC, connect it to the network you can run the App and connect it via whatever outputs it has (e.g. analog, toslink) to the amp.  There are also other DLNA Apps that may work (e.g. Bubble UPNP).

[BillInGa]

The cheap options I’ve found are to attach an available Phone or tablet (cable from headphone jack to rca’s into receiver or amp), and use the native music app (synology app for nas, qobuz, amazon music, tidal). Since you already own the phone, you’re only cost is the cable.
However, for better quality, I like to stream to an Audioquest Beetle attached to my marantz amp.yes, it’s bluetooth streaming, but it really sounds good.
Another cheap option is to use a dac like an audioquest dragonfly from your phone. Some of these dace are inexpensive these days.
I was going to go the rpi route, but I don’t believe it would make much of an improvement over my phone into a dragonfly.

[cliffy]

Probably works the best but not the cheapest.  I am currently testing out these two this weekend.

Phorus PR5
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MY790GW/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

Klipsch Gate:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M5B793S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Both have Play-Fi and supposedly use NAS but not sure how functional the apps are.

Will report black.

Please do post an update. Do they both play nicely together, since both use Play-Fi?  Can you use one app on phone, or do you need both Klipsch and Phorus apps?

[matthewpartrick]

Is $549 too much?



Review of Bluesound Node 2i: http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/bluesound-node-2i-wireless-multi-room-high-res-music-streamer/?mc_cid=16e7c6fb32&mc_eid=617444c021

"The Node 2i is a music server, streamer, and DAC that via the proprietary NAD/Bluesound BluOS app accesses most of the popular music-streaming services (Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, etc.) and Internet radio, as well as music files off hard drives, including your downloads, your iTunes library, and other musical content from a NAS drive, all without a computer."

https://www.bluesound.com/products/node/

So, long story short, this is what my buddy went with.  He is enjoying it so far!  Thanks everyone for the feedback.

[tsusko]

Please do post an update. Do they both play nicely together, since both use Play-Fi?  Can you use one app on phone, or do you need both Klipsch and Phorus apps?

I actually sent he Klipsch Gate back.  The only difference between the two was the “Line-in” option on the Klipsch Gate but I could not get that feature to work.  The Phorus was much cheaper at $29.95.

All of the Play-Fi products seem to work with both the Play-Fi mobile app and their native app (see screenshots below). 

My solution was to install the DTS Windows App (which DoubleJ told me about) and I do not need a line-in to send files from by computer through the Play-Fi Gateway.

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=162476.msg1825040#msg1825040

Best,
Thom

[cliffy]

Thank you!