joggler (squeezebox)

[Ashmore]

One of my Squeezeboxes (a slimdevices vintage v3) has gone to heaven so i'm in the market for a replacement. I'm not enthusiastic about another v3/classic as - much as I love them - the prices seem pretty high and who's to say they don't all start giving out around the same age?

I've come across something called a joggler. It looks like a basic WiFi tablet that some nice linux people have developed a squeeze OS for. They're going for about 25 notes on fleabay.

The negatives are that the built in speakers are (unsurprisingly) shit and you're stuck with a usb or 3.5 jack out.

Two questions. Has anyone here used a joggler within a Squeeze system (and was it any good)? And can anyone recommend a cheap-as-chips usb dac or usb dac + amp (maybe like a topping or king Rex)? Emphasis on cheap!

Cheers

[Ashmore]

So I pressed on with the Joggler experiment and can report that's it's worked very well indeed. If you're after a cheap-as-chips Touch replacement read on...

For those who've never heard of the Joggler before, it's a tablet-on-a-stand - a lot like a Touch, but bigger. (footprint is a bit bigger, the screen substantially so).

Mine was 'new in box' for £35 but you can get them for about £25. Yes that's right - 25 quid. :eek:

Now, the really good thing about the Joggler is that it's Linux based, so inevitably some clever chap has come up with a Squeezebox OS (http://birdslikewires.co.uk/articles/squeezeplay-os). You just have to reflash the Joggler's internal memory (a new expression I've learned). Once done, you have a device that looks and operates like a Touch.

I approached this task with some trepidation (my computer skills extend to putting in a spare HDD and I have never done any flashing before ;)). But the instructions are pretty simple (if a bit jargony), and once I actually did as instructed it was a breeze. (Download a few files, unpack a zip file or two, bung it on a USB stick, shove the USB in the Joggler).

The Joggler has speakers built in. Little, shit ones that you won't use. You need a USB DAC and some proper speakers. I've ordered a cheapo Behringer DAC off Amazon, but in the meantime it's hooked up to my modded Caiman in the main rig.

How does it sound? Bloody good. It's my first evening of listening, but I have to say it gives the Touch a good run for its money on my system (and the Touch has a linear PSU and some very good leads. The Joggler has the plug it came with and a USB cable I pinched off an old backup HDD...). There is a difference but they are not a million miles apart (and I guess nor should they be given the limited role they are playing in my system).

So, there you go. Assuming it doesn't explode within the week.... recommended.

[seoirse2002]

hmmm... might be worth a try...well done

[Krisbee]

Not heard one myself, but I suspect the joggler is under-rated as a squeezebox. While it was never designed to be a quality audio source, some aspects of the hardware are superior to the Squeezebox touch (it has more cpu grunt and more memory) and with the right software and a USB DAC is worth considering. But every time someone sings its virtues, proces rise. I think £25-35 might be a bit optimistic.

The Behringer UCA202 is a good choice. Have you seen this analysis? http://nwavguy.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/behringer-uca202-review.html

A possible alternative is this: http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=62&product_id=123

I've just noticed they sell a USB isolator, I wonder if it's any good. http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=122

[wiicrackpot]

Hi Simon,

Great to hear your sorted, i bought one a year or 2 back as i wanted a cheap toe dip into streaming,
i subsequently posted on here to ask Gazjam for help but never got any, it since sat here gathering dust. :(

I will be grateful if you could offer any assistance on setting this up either email or i could send it down to you,
PM sent.

[seoirse2002]

Hi Simon,

Great to hear your sorted, i bought one a year or 2 back as i wanted a cheap toe dip into streaming,
i subsequently posted on here to ask Gazjam for help but never got any, it since sat here gathering dust. :(

I will be grateful if you could offer any assistance on setting this up either email or i could send it down to you,

PM sent.


Good idea,
Im planning on buying one so a setup guide would be very helpful

[wiicrackpot]

Good idea,
Im planning on buying one so a setup guide would be very helpful
George,

It seemed a good idea at the time so grabbed mine's from Gumtree for £30.00, thing is it only came with it's power supply and that's it, :(
it's still got it's original owners set-up details and i don't know how to scrub it, it doesn't help when O2 stopped supporting it,
here's hoping Simon can help.

[Ashmore]

I'll jot down the instructions that got me going later when I'm home. But it'll come with caveats - I am not expert! One thing, do bear in mind I already have a dedicated server running LMS and a wireless setup. Do you guys have a digital source too or are you starting completely from scratch?

[seoirse2002]

Ive actually been using a SB touch and very happy with it....I use it on wifi
But this could go in another room?

[NRG]

I've just noticed they sell a USB isolator, I wonder if it's any good. http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=122


Its based on the ADuM1460 isolator chip so Full Speed USB support only, but, they work well and can be powered by a clean 5v supply (not in the hifimediy case though)....

[wiicrackpot]

I'll jot down the instructions that got me going later when I'm home. But it'll come with caveats - I am not expert! One thing, do bear in mind I already have a dedicated server running LMS and a wireless setup. Do you guys have a digital source too or are you starting completely from scratch?
Completely from scratch here, never owned or used such devices before.

[Ashmore]

Ok, i'll consider how best to get going, as you'll need some music to play. Will come back later on...

[Ashmore]

OK here goes. Please bear in mind I am not a computer expert so there'll be a limit (quickly reached) to how much useful support I can give...

What follows is instructions for loading squeezeplay OS into the Joggler's internal memory (ie erasing everything else on the Joggler and effectively turning it into a Touch-like machine).

Seoirse2002, this will work for you as you already have a squeezebox setup, and yes you can have music in another room.

The instructions are taken from the Birdslikewires.co.uk website and the same caveats apply as given there - this is a do-at-your-own-risk task. The only change I have made is to describe the process in a logical sequence.

You are going to download some files, unzip them and write them to a USB stick to put in your Joggler. It may look a bit daunting, but it's pretty easy and will take about 15 minutes.

You will need a 2gb USB memory stick and a computer with an internet connection. The following instructions assume you are running a windows machine. Instructions for other operating systems are provided on the birdlikewires website.

1 Download the system 1.09 (103mb file) and MD5 files from http://birdslikewires.co.uk/articles/jogglerflash (do not download the reflash script file).

2 Download disk image writer from http://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/ You'll be using this programme to write the operating system onto your USB stick.

3 If you haven't already got an unzipping programme, download 7Zip from http://www.7-zip.org/ noting that 32bit and 64 bit versions are available. (on a win7 machine you can find out what your machine is running by start>control panel>system and security>system, and look for system type)

4 Open 7Zip and unpack the .img.gz file you downloaded in step 1.

5 Put your USB stick into the machine and note the drive number your computer assigns to it.

6 Run disk image writer (that you downloaded in step 2) and select the unpacked .img file that was created in step 4. (Try not to get this next bit wrong...) Choose the drive that corresponds to your USB stick and click 'write'.

The computer will do its whizzy stuff for a bit and then will declare that your write was successful. Hurrah!

7 Download Squeezeplay OS for internal memory v1.09 (155mb) and the MD5 file from http://birdslikewires.co.uk/articles/squeezeplay-os

8 Open the USB stick (ie, look at the files). If nothing shows, remove the stick and reinsert. See that it has a folder called 'reflash'. Pick up the two files you downloaded in 7 (one is called .img.gz and the other will be called .img.gz.md5) and copy them (drag them into) into the reflash folder.

9 Remove the USB stick.

10 Put the USB stick into the joggler.

11 Switch the joggler on.

The Joggler will load the software and take you through the normal routines to find your router and so forth. You'll need to know your SSID and your security encryption pass.

To get the joggler to play through your USB DAC, plug the dac in and go to settings, audio settings, and click external source (or something like that, I'm doing this bit from memory). Then restart the Joggler making sure the USB DAC is plugged in.

If you already have a system running LMS that should get you going.

Andy for you it's going to be a bit different as you now have a player but no server, which is about as much use as a TV with no stations. Can I assume you have a PC of some sort, and that you have a wireless router?

[wiicrackpot]

Andy for you it's going to be a bit different as you now have a player but no server, which is about as much use as a TV with no stations. Can I assume you have a PC of some sort, and that you have a wireless router?
Simon, you hit the nail on the button, what i have now is just a flicking digital clock and i sure didn't want to drop 30 notes for a flicking digi clock. :doh:

Very well written instructions, it'll take me all week to wade through it all, :rolleyes: i am very scared of downloading things incase i get viruses, thanks anyway.

[Rothchild]

Andy, you could put a server together for relatively little money. A Raspberry Pi with a USB hard drive would be a good way in, it also appears that you can install the squeeze box 'LMS' server on a range of NAS drives too:

For Raspberry Pi: http://www.squeezeplug.eu/

For the official LMS software: http://www.mysqueezebox.com/download

[wiicrackpot]

Andy, you could put a server together for relatively little money. A Raspberry Pi with a USB hard drive would be a good way in, it also appears that you can install the squeeze box 'LMS' server on a range of NAS drives too:

For Raspberry Pi: http://www.squeezeplug.eu/

For the official LMS software: http://www.mysqueezebox.com/download
Hi Marc,

Thanks for chipping in, so what you mean by ''put a server together for relatively little money'' and NAS drives is to buy another wee computer,
and then stream my joggler from there, :scratch: think i've seen the wee square NAS drives before,
anyway, will keep reading Simon's tutorial and your links to see how it goes.

P.S. been quietly looking to snag a Linn Sneaky cheap and be done with to be honest.

[Rothchild]

Yeah, that's about the size of it. I've not got a joggler but my understanding from having looked through the various links is that it's a replay device rather than a server (as is, it appears, the linn box you mentioned, so even if you get that you'll still need to sort out something to serve the files to it. Linn Sneaky = Posh Joggler with an amplifier in it).

This is the relevant bit from birdslikewires:

"The minimum you need to get started is an account at mysqueezebox.com, which will give you access to content over the internet. However, to get the most out of SqueezePlay you should install Squeezebox Server onto your computer. This will serve out any music on your system to SqueezePlay, Logitech’s own Squeezeboxes and many DLNA compatible devices. You can also install plugins to the server, which will add features such as Spotify support and BBC iPlayer radio streaming."

This suggests you should have more than a £30 clock as you should be able to use it as an internet radio and spotify player.

Presumably you have a computer that you use to post to this forum, so to get you started you could install the squeezebox server software on to that and serve music to the joggler from there too?

[wiicrackpot]

O.K. Marc, do i go with the links Simon posted or the Raspberry Pi + LMS mysqueezebox links or download them all?.

I thought a Sneaky does away with PC dependency, i use a laptop now though i still have a Dinosaur desk top in the room,
better with the laptop incase it goes tits up and i have to lug it to a PC shop.

[Rothchild]

I'd suggest the curve works a bit like this:

Pi and drive - Cheap but complicated for newbies and pretty involved to get going (but if you get in to it the sky is pretty much the limit as to what you can make it do)
NAS and LMS - Bit more expensive, moderately complicated but also a useful addition (as you can also use it as a backup / network drive so good for storing photos and such like as well as serving music to your joggler)
Custom built PC (of the variety Gaz and others sell) - Very expensive but super easy (as you're paying for the support etc)

I reckon we could probably get you working in 'proof of concept' using either the laptop or the old desktop, doing this might give you the confidence to have a go with setting up a NAS or a Pi as your home music server / streamer. It's gone a way of topic since but if you have a look through my 'recipie for digital streaming server' thread on this board you'll get some idea of what's involved in getting a Pi up and running.