Thinking of....

[icehockeyboy]

Getting a different music streamer, nothing too OTT price wise, probably sub £300, and want advice please before I take the plunge.

As Stratmangler knows, prior to ditching Spotify in favour of Deezer, I had more than my fair share of Squeezebox related problems, in fact, even now, whilst trying to synchronise the two units I own. They both display a message urging me to download things to enable them to sync, thing is, I already did, years back!

So, what about something like the Marantz NA 6005? Will I notice any difference in SQ between it and my Linear powered SBT?

Thanks for your opinions, and note it's only in my thoughts at the moment.

[Stratmangler]

I have no idea Craig.
Can I have first refusal on your SBTs should you decide to move on from them?

[Gazjam]

The Marantz is a nice bit of kit Craig, does DSD too.
No idea about sound quality, but will probably be more "plug n play" than the SB Touch, which cant be a bad thing!

[icehockeyboy]

I have no idea Craig.
Can I have first refusal on your SBTs should you decide to move on from them?

Hi Chris,

Sorry, one is in use in the kitchen, and the main one would be moved upstairs.

[Stratmangler]

That's fair enough Craig. I was just testing the waters....

I still think that all the problems you encounter are because you're dependant on external servers for Squeezebox control.
If you ran stuff on a local (as in actually in your house) server I think your problems would go away.
I have no problems with Spotify, Cobuz or Tidal being run from my server.

I am not all that taken with the way many "Hi-Fi" manufacturers kit works, because they utilise UPnP/DLNA with the interfacing, and I find things clunky in operation.

[icehockeyboy]

That's fair enough Craig. I was just testing the waters....

I still think that all the problems you encounter are because you're dependant on external servers for Squeezebox control.
If you ran stuff on a local (as in actually in your house) server I think your problems would go away.
I have no problems with Spotify, Cobuz or Tidal being run from my server.

I am not all that taken with the way many "Hi-Fi" manufacturers kit works, because they utilise UPnP/DLNA with the interfacing, and I find things clunky in operation.


Was that in Mandarin? ��

[Stratmangler]

Was that in Mandarin? ��

Probably.

[Marco]

Craig,

<Cough> Raspberry Pi <Cough> Have you not read all the threads on it here? ;)

And the latest (and bestest one) is now out! :)

Cheap as chips, and with the partnering IQ-Audio DAC, sounds simply awesome...

Marco.

[Stratmangler]

Craig,

<Cough> Raspberry Pi <Cough> Have you not read all the threads on it here? ;)

And the latest (and bestest one) is now out! :)

Cheap as chips, and with the partnering IQ-Audio DAC, sounds simply awesome...



... and a doddle to build and setup, especially if somebody else does all the donkey work for you, then brings it over and shows you how it runs.

[Marco]

Lol... Once you get used to it, it's actually not that complicated. Besides, I missed the bit where Craig said he was looking for a 'plug & play' solution ;)

And perhaps there's someone here in the Nottingham area who would be willing to come and set it up for him? :)

Marco.

[Stratmangler]

There's nothing complicated about Squeezebox either.
The problem with Squeezebox is that it's too flexible in use, and it's easy to disappear up your own backside, especially if your not particularly IT savvy.
The truth about Squeezebox is that it's a doddle to use, and it's extremely reliable in use if your installation is good, which means running everything from a local server, not the Squeezebox itself.

Logitech were too clever for their own good, put out a killer product that could be run on both local server and remote server, and ended up spending too much time and money supporting the product, so they stopped making it.
It was the time and money thing that killed it.

Logitech could not support the product from a script, which is what they do with the vast majority of their products.
They had to employ staff that could think for itself.
Staff that can think for itself demands higher salaries.

[Marco]

I'm not qualified to comment on any of that, Chris. However, what I can say is that, when properly set up, the RPi/IQ Audio DAC combo, particularly when used with a decent linear PSU, sounds far better than any Squeezebox set-up I've heard, hence why I made the recommendation to Craig, if his primary goal is to achieve the best sound quality :)

YMMV.

Marco.

[Stratmangler]

Craig's objective is to find an out of box solution, so that's the Pi crossed off the list.

[Marco]

Sorry, I'm unsure as to what you mean by an out of box solution?

Marco.

[CageyH]

Plug and play I believe.

[Marco]

Ah, that makes more sense. If so, fine :)

Marco.

[Gazjam]

Plug and play I believe.

i.e. Not plug n pray...

[Marco]

:lolsign:

Is that the Pope special version? :D

Marco.

[Theadmans]

There's nothing complicated about Squeezebox either.
The problem with Squeezebox is that it's too flexible in use, and it's easy to disappear up your own backside, especially if your not particularly IT savvy.
The truth about Squeezebox is that it's a doddle to use, and it's extremely reliable in use if your installation is good, which means running everything from a local server, not the Squeezebox itself.

Logitech were too clever for their own good, put out a killer product that could be run on both local server and remote server, and ended up spending too much time and money supporting the product, so they stopped making it.
It was the time and money thing that killed it.

Logitech could not support the product from a script, which is what they do with the vast majority of their products.
They had to employ staff that could think for itself.
Staff that can think for itself demands higher salaries.


...this is the most cogent appraisal of the whole Logitech / Squeezebox Touch discontinued debacle I have ever read. I bought a Touch around 5 years ago on offer from Amazon £135. If Logitech still made them I would have bought 2 more. As it is I have to lash together SBT clones via Raspberry Pi and Wolfson Cards for other rooms. The Pi's are good but I would have been happy to pay for more SBT's at £135 each !!!

[Marco]

...this is the most cogent appraisal of the whole Logitech / Squeezebox Touch discontinued debacle I have ever read.

It's because Chris knows what he's talking about, when it comes to this stuff, and his views are based on considerable experience :)

Marco.

[skimminstones]

There's nothing complicated about Squeezebox either.
.

Would have to agree. Ive had a Squeezebox classic running into external dac for a few years now and its never once given me issues. The only time it did was down to my NAS freezing up but the squeezebox has worked flawlessly from day one.

[icehockeyboy]

Would have to agree. Ive had a Squeezebox classic running into external dac for a few years now and its never once given me issues. The only time it did was down to my NAS freezing up but the squeezebox has worked flawlessly from day one.

I never had a problem with the Classic either.

Cannot say the same for the Touch.

[eisenach]

No idea whether it's the sort of thing you have in mind, but I've got a Cambridge NP30 for sale in the classifieds. Just saying :).

[Darren]

Bloody horrible thing the Squeeze box touch. Bought one for my system at work awful, dated interface and crap software. Nowadays a Chromecast Audio does the same job but better using a great app on my phone or from my work laptop, or desktop pc. A minute or two to set up and utterly stable since. Toslink out into my dac/pre amp. I spend more on fuel in a week.

Sent from my SM-T210 using Tapatalk

[RichB]

Bloody horrible thing the Squeeze box touch. Bought one for my system at work awful, dated interface and crap software. Nowadays a Chromecast Audio does the same job but better using a great app on my phone or from my work laptop, or desktop pc. A minute or two to set up and utterly stable since. Toslink out into my dac/pre amp. I spend more on fuel in a week.

Sent from my SM-T210 using Tapatalk

Hooray, I'm not alone or mental in thinking this too!

[AlfaGTV]

It all depends on your demands and preferred way of control.
To me, its all down to the UX, which leaves most UPnP items in the wake, as well as Airplay/ChromeCast. Not that AirPlay or ChromeCast works badly, but i want ONE control app to rule them all! ;)
The Marantz is fine soundwise, but not great to handle IMX. (Have had NA-7004, NA-8005) Prefer the Pioneers i have had, the N-50 and the N-70A for control. Still need a stable UPnP server somewhere unless you are about use em as a DAC for a locally attached computer.
Have also had Sonos up till about 2 years ago, have Bluesound Node today, 2pcs. Vastly improved SQ with either of my Nodes!
RPi is fine, but no revelation, to my ears but UX is shite and the management sux.
RPi when used as a Roon Advanced Audio Transport (RAAT) is however a completely different matter. Needs a server though, and a Control UI preferably on a smart phone or tablet. A little expensive though, the software that is.
Headless MacMini is also used on a daily basis, also super stable and very well sounding. If you like JRMC/Jremote works very well, and also as both a Roon Server and Bridge (playback unit)
If you want streaming services Roon demands Tidal subscr.

I just realized that these scribblings doesnt make much sense, other than the fact that there are many ways to skin a cat... :)

[loonytunes]

....
The Marantz is fine soundwise, but not great to handle IMX. (Have had NA-7004, NA-8005) Prefer the Pioneers i have had, the N-50 and the N-70A for control. Still need a stable UPnP server somewhere unless you are about use em as a DAC for a locally attached computer...



When I heard the Marantz NA-7004 I thought the sound was excellent! The plain and obvious fact in my system was the 7004's strength as a transport only streamer - superb and the best transport I have ever heard (this was the tipping point where I realised that transports "do" make a difference so there's more to it than bits are just bits).

However I chose not not to invest in the 7004 because the control software was poor! I still always consider buying one second hand just to experience one again however - hopefully the 6005 is as good or the 7004 was just a fluke in engineering excellence.