View Full Version : Simple Audio acquired by Corsair
As a Simple Audio Roomplayer owner, this is good news for me.
http://simpleaudio.co.uk/news/simple-audio-acquired-in-multi-million-dollar-deal?utm_source=Simple+Audio+Retailers&utm_campaign=71b3d99160-Announcement_going_direct12_20_2012&utm_medium=email
Mark Grant
11-02-2013, 20:46
That is good news for the future of Simple Audio.
It should hopefully become an Audiophile Sonos alternative now there is some big money behind it as so far it did not really get going and rarely gets a mention anywhere.
Good luck to them :)
Yes very little chat on the hi-fi forums regarding the Roomplayers. I recived my second Roomplyer I today so now able to play my hires files whilst in my "home office".
All I need is for Simple Audio to implement an alarm / sleep timer option then I can sell off the Sonos equipment and they get to sell more Roomplayers.
Just an update, there is now an iPad app available and it really is very nice to use.
I also gather that a few other features are in testing such as Gapless playback, an Android app, an alarm/snooze feature, Spotify and a Web based interface that is also a controller which means that it could be controlled by almost anything with a web-browser.
badsoden
06-10-2013, 10:25
These look good but at £499 for Room Player II seem very expensive. What are they like?
StanleyB
06-10-2013, 10:38
These look good but at £499 for Room Player II seem very expensive. What are they like?
That's the one downside to it. The SBT at even its current ridiculous 2nd hand price still looks a more attractive option. And so is a dedicated laptop.
If you shop around you can shave £100 off the price, Amazon have the Roomplayer I at £499.
I have both Sonos and Simple Audio equipment so able to make a direct comparison. Comparing the Sonos connect:amp to the Simple Audio Roomplayer I driving a pair of Q Acoustic 2010i speakers with Talk 3 cable. I don't know how to explain in reviewer silly words but what I do know is that I much prefer the Roomplayer I, you can hear bass line and bass instruments clearer, take Rock music which can sound like a mash of instruments, with the Roomplayer you can identify instruments and noises that were obscure become clear.
Earlier in the year I had the opportunity to try a Rega Brio-r and DAC and used the Roomplayer Digital output to a pair of Royd Minstrel speakers, I then tried the Roomplayer direct to the Royds and genuinely could not hear any difference.
badsoden
06-10-2013, 10:43
That's the one downside to it. The SBT at even its current ridiculous 2nd hand price still looks a more attractive option. And so is a dedicated laptop.
They do look like a good alternative but at twice the price and with less features I don't think I'll be getting rid of the SBT anytime soon, sorry Stan!! Someone needs to jump into this area of the market with an affordable alternative. I know there are DIY options but that isn't for everyone.
That's the one downside to it. The SBT at even its current ridiculous 2nd hand price still looks a more attractive option. And so is a dedicated laptop.
The SBT was / is a great hi-fi bargain, ran one for a while. The Roomplayer is still however cheaper than something from Linn :) and software / hardware is supported and being developed.
I still love my Sonos equipment, but feel that the lack of 24/96 and them venturing into home cinema is steering away from hi-fi. I buy nearly all my music online now and most of it in 24/96 and I have to run and maintain two libraries which is a right pain especially when coupled with down converting.
badsoden
06-10-2013, 10:54
My other problem would be lack of Android support but I assume that's in development and yes its still a lot cheaper than Linn\Naim!
StanleyB
06-10-2013, 10:55
The things I can do with my SBT are still way ahead of anything else on the market. If I had the cash I would have bought the rights to the SBT from Logitech.
badsoden
06-10-2013, 10:58
The software is open source.
My other problem would be lack of Android support but I assume that's in development and yes its still a lot cheaper than Linn\Naim!
Android app is in development, along with a web interface so can be controlled by any web interface.
loonytunes
20-10-2013, 12:43
That's the one downside to it. The SBT at even its current ridiculous 2nd hand price still looks a more attractive option. And so is a dedicated laptop.
Or "both" in one package... run a netbook running the Squeezelite software - this allows you to have the exact equivalent to a SBT packaged in a netbook (or laptop) shell. So in this instance - why do you really need an SBT at all???
Or "both" in one package... run a netbook running the Squeezelite software - this allows you to have the exact equivalent to a SBT packaged in a netbook (or laptop) shell. So in this instance - why do you really need an SBT at all???
Not everyone wants a laptop setup in the front room, a little box that feeds an amp or drives speakers directly, controlled my an iDevice/Android is far more appealing to me at least.
loonytunes
21-10-2013, 16:14
Not everyone wants a laptop setup in the front room, a little box that feeds an amp or drives speakers directly, controlled my an iDevice/Android is far more appealing to me at least.
No I do understand that.. but a netbook (not a laptop) is far smaller - and as I mentioned earlier it simulates an SBT so you can use your Android (or Apple) device as before as a remote control.
You can even program the netbook to work with the lid closed.
However saying all that - I agree the SBT does look pretty - but it gives others the chance to run a Squeezebox if the SBT itself is not readily available to them.
If anyone ever considers buying a Simple Audio Roomplayer then they want their head testing (yes I'm getting mine checked)
They launched a new version today with support for 24/192, direct NAS function and synced room support - all the eff'ing features that were supposed to be in the original players and were going to be fixed by software updates. You can however give them another £100 for a upgrade :unfair:
Still no sign of an Android controller app.
and the rrp has increased to £599 for the basic version or £699 with inbuilt amp.
Apparently the Android controller is due very soon along with gapless playback. They are also adding the music streaming Qobuz, which is fantastic.
There is currently a promotion running on the Roomplayer+ models, £200 saving making them now only £399 & £499.
http://www.hificorner.co.uk/simple-audio-roomplayer-plus.html
There is also an Android beta available :)
Software Version 3.3 released today adds the Qobuz music service.
Nice review here http://www.simpleaudio.com/media/101720/hfw_roomplayer__review_complete_oct14.pdf
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