Squeezebox demo

Charles Calkins · « **on:** 28 Jan 2006, 03:09 pm »

Any place around Martinez Ca. 94553 that I could see a demo of how the squeezebox works?

I've been reading and trying to understand how it works but being a computer dumdum it gets more confusing the more I read.

I know guys are really into it and swear that it is the best invention since saran wrap. But before I leap into something new like this I would like to see a live demo.

Cheers
Charlie

ctviggen · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Jan 2006, 05:02 pm »

Charlie,

I say just buy one. Once you get one, you can't go back to regular CDs. And, I tested my Bolder Cables-modded SB2 versus my Proceed PMDT transport through a Bolder Cable digital IC (with bybee) and my Ack Dack DAC, and the SB2 sounded better. I used the same ICs from the Ack Dack and the SB2 to my Proceed AVP preamp. I plan on posting a full report sooner or later.

The pros of the SB far outweigh the cons (bugs that are debuggable unless you want to delve into code). You can random play for days. You can listen to internet radio. You have instant access to any song/album/artist in your collection. The hardest part is burning CDs and figuring out how to use EAC to burn to FLAC, but there are some good tutorials for that. Oh yeah, that and that you'll have to figure out how to back up all your data since it takes me about 10-12 minutes per CD to burn them.

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Jan 2006, 05:30 pm »

Bob:
I kind of think I know what you are saying. One thing that really got me confused is how do I get this thing to work in my home audio system and with a remote control. I never listen to tunes on my computer. Sounds terrible!!

Cheers
Charlie

randytsuch · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Jan 2006, 06:18 pm »

Charlie,
The only tricky part of setting up a squeezebox is that getting it connected to your home network.
Do you have a wireless 801.11 network already?

Once you get it talking to your network, the menu system on the squeezebox is easy to use to pick out songs, or you can run if from your PC if it is close to you stereo.

You have to tell the squeezebox software where you music is, on your PC. It scans your music directory, and then makes a list of your music. You can browse through the list with the remote on the SB.

One thing you need to do is when you rip your songs with EAC, use freedb to name the songs. Then, all the songs are named when you browse through them on the SB.

Randy

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Jan 2006, 06:22 pm »

Randy:
What is a wireless 801.11 network?

See I told you I was a computer dumdum!

Cheers
Charlie

Rashiki · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Jan 2006, 06:56 pm »

Quote from: Charles Calkins

Any place around Martinez Ca. 94553 that I could see a demo of how the squeezebox works?

I live near you (Pittsburg, CA) and I have five squeezeboxes set up around my house, so I could give you a demo.

-Rob

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Jan 2006, 07:16 pm »

Rob:
Tell me when is a good time for you and I'll come on over.

Cheers
Charlie

Rashiki · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Jan 2006, 09:47 pm »

Charlie, I sent you a PM.
-Rob

randytsuch · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Jan 2006, 10:32 pm »

Quote from: Charles Calkins

Randy:
What is a wireless 801.11 network?

See I told you I was a computer dumdum!

Cheers
Charlie

Hi Charlies
Oh, I had a typo, should have been 802.11, you usually see it written as 802.11b or 802.11g, where b and g are slightly different versions, and g is the newer, faster version.

It is the way everyone now sets up a wireless network at their homes. If you have a cable or DSL modem, to give you a high speed internet connection, you can connect you cable/dsl modem to a wireless router. Then, you put a wireless card in any PC you have at home, and they will have have high speed internet access.

We have 2 laptops, three desktops and a SB all on my wireless network.

Randy

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Jan 2006, 11:02 pm »

Randy:
Charlie is a cheapo. I have dialup Juno.com. $9.95 a month!!! Guess the squeeze box won't work for me.

Cheers
Charlie

Jampot · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 Jan 2006, 12:38 am »

Charlie, you clearly have a pc if you have dial up so you can (given enough hard drive space) enjoy the benefits of a digital sound source (your pc) without wireless networking. Sure, lots of folk who have there listening area remote from the computer can benefit from a Squeeze box - but it can be a wired network (and that may only be one cable between the pc and the squeeze box) or, if the pc is @ or beside the listening area you could use a 'USB DAC' - check out the M-Audio Transit, or modded similar items on this forum - the Red Wine Audio USB Select, or the 'Off Ramp' from Empire Audio.

I considered both these routes before deciding to go with an iPod modded by Red Wine Audio - which Vinnie Rossi christened 'iMod'. Vinnie is on record as saying he personally preferred the sound of the iMod to his own modded Squeeze Box (if only just by the smallest margin....) - what more do you need to know if you don't allready have a network!

My iMod is starting to burn in nicely now and IT IS INCREDIBLE. My original plan was to use it as a source in my office system (where of course I have wired network) BUT it is proving so good I bring it home on weekend to connect to my main system.

Don't let the lack of a network put you off the audition so generously offered by Rashiki - the best benefit is getting your music on the pc in the first place, I'm sure Rashiki will convince you of that. Afterwards, if the whole networking thing is still daunting go with the iMod you will love it.

Good luck in your quest

Jim

randytsuch · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Jan 2006, 07:25 am »

Hi Charlie
Jim is right, you can setup a network, even with dial up. Wireless routers are cheap these days, you can hook one up to your PC, and then use it to talk to you SB. Or, if you can run wires, connect through ethernet from your PC to a SB

Randy

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Jan 2006, 10:00 am »

I'd have to run 50 feet of wire from my computer room to the living room audio system.
Wireless router seems the best option for me.
What in the hell is a wireless router and where do I get one?
This project is like opening a can of worms.
I think I'm getting in too deep. Way over my head!

Cheers
Charlie

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Jan 2006, 04:10 pm »

Correction on the 50 feet of wire. It would be more like 100 feet.

Cheers
Charlie

ctviggen · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 Jan 2006, 04:53 pm »

When you set up a home network, each one of your computers (or SB) will be given one internal Internet addresses. They are typically 168.192.0.1 or something similar. These are "internal" addresses. Thus, when your computer at x.x.x.1 wants to talk to your SB at x.x.x.2, your computer addresses everything with "x.x.x.2".

On the other hand, the external internet operates with addresses, like 123.456.789.123. Each web address (including audiocircle's) is translated into an Internet address. When you type in "http//www.audiocircle.com", this is sent to a domain name server that returns an appropriate Internet address (hidden from you by the browser).

Now, when you get online, you are assigned an external Internet address. A "router" in this sense operates with respect to the Internet with this external address. So, if I knew your internet address, and you knew mine, our routers could "talk" directly. Now, your computer on your network has an internal address that's not available on the Internet. When you send a request to download this page for instance, your computer will send a request tagged with your internal address. The router replaces this address with its own external address and forwards it to the computer that runs this website. The computer running this website forwards the requested information to your router, using the external address of the router. The router then replaces this with the internal address of your computer.

That's basically what a router does. Nowadays, routers are combined with switches. A switch is basically a powered network connection. So, many of these internet sharing devices are both routers (for allowing access to the Internet in the manner described above) and allowing a number of devices (computer, SB2) to be connected together.

ctviggen · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 Jan 2006, 04:59 pm »

I guess I didn't truly finish that. The "wireless" section of a wireless "router" is the networking portion. It allows a multitude of devices to connect as a network to the "router" device. The actual "router" is internal to the router device and is the thing I discussed above, which routes internal messages to external messages and vice versa. It's called a wireless router, but should really be called a wireless network device with router capability.

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 Jan 2006, 05:44 pm »

Bob:
Thanks for the info. I'm off to rashiki's this afternoon for a hands on demo. If I get into this I'll probably have to hire him to help me get started. Think $500.00 an hour would be enough?

Cheers
Charlie

Jampot · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 Jan 2006, 06:04 pm »

For $500 dollars an hour I will travel from the UK!

Jim

maxwalrath · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 Jan 2006, 06:10 pm »

Quote from: Jampot

For $500 dollars an hour I will travel from the UK!

Jim

....via a raft! Charles, I am easily as confused as you, and this circle is helping me too. Just didn't want you to feel like the 1 guy not getting this stuff...I guarantee there are lots of us.

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 Jan 2006, 06:38 pm »

Max:
Audiogon has a PCAudio discussion site. I've been looking there too.
A guy named prpixel has some very good things to say. You might want to give a look.

Cheers
Charlie