'Analog Dinosaur' succumbs to the joys of FBA : enter Raspberry Pi 2/IQ-Audio DAC+!!

[struth]

Sorry, Rupert, we're going round in circles, mate, and you're being very helpful.... But I can see nowhere where there are instructions to install an app. What do you mean the web version of Spotify?

I've paid for a Premium Spotify account and logged into my account, via my Facebook page, which takes me to the main Spotify page where I can access 'My Music' or click on "New Releases", or search for specific artists.

More confused now than ever....

Marco.

think what he meant was there is a web version that works through a browser and an app that doesnt need a browser.They will once you sign in to it be the same program but the app may be the one to use in this way.

[Marco]

let's leave it a that for the moment... i gotta finish some work... will get back to you ASAP... in the meantime I think Struth is right...

ps. you can access the Spotify services in multiple ways, one of which is with an app on your computer, another is over the web, when you dont have your computer... but more later..

No worries, mate. You've been very helpful indeed, and I appreciate it. Yes, I'm using a computer (laptop) to access Spotify. It's the only way I can do it, as I don't have a smartphone.

When you come back, basically all I need to know (and have been trying to find out from the beginning) is how to ensure that I'm getting the best SQ from Spotify.

Therefore, what you need to do (if you still have the will to live, lol!) is take me through the steps required to access the required app, which must be located somewhere on my web version of Spotify.

Laters!

Marco.

[Marco]

think what he meant was there is a web version that works through a browser and an app that doesnt need a browser.They will once you sign in to it be the same program but the app may be the one to use in this way.

I get that, Grant. I just need to know where in the Spotify main page/menu you access this app, so I can use it and do what Rupert has suggested. That last bit, however, still remains a mystery.

Marco.

[struth]

cant help you there. dont use macs. but apps are usually for ipads. i know win 8 has apps in another section so may be macs do too. but maybe it is the app on your ipad you need to download and set up which i would imagine you will find either on the spotify main page or in the app store.
I could be way wrong of course.

[Marco]

Ok cool, may even sound better that way.

I haven't carried out any back-to-back comparisons, but the first time I heard the Pi, it was via a USB drive, and it sounded superb, although not any better than I'm getting now with the NAS box. Duncan mentioned something about the latter being better for streaming high-res stuff, but I don't know exactly why...

The thing I don't understand is how can Ken post here if he doesn't have a Wi-Fi network??

Marco.

[Marco]

but maybe it is the app on your ipad you need to download and set up which i would imagine you will find either on the spotify main page or in the app store.

Those are also my thoughts, but it's *where* to find it....?

I can't see anything remotely like that on the Spotify main page, and for some reason, Rupert is unable to simply guide me, and tell me, from the Spotify main page, go to 'X', click on 'Y', and then do 'Z', and Bob's yer auntie, which would've been nice and simple

Therefore, I think I'll take your advice and stick on a record!!

Marco.

[struth]

when homer was told he was boring in his eating habits and needed to try other foods they went japanese. hep got poisoned by eating blowfish.. his statement applies. "I ve never been poisoned by a pork chop"

[Marco]

Marco.

[r100]

Hi again...

so, maybe I can shed some light on the difference between the web app and the dedicated app.

Web app
With this (web) app it is possible to connect to Spotify service via a web browser by using this link https://play.spotify.com/
what you get is a web page with the basic functions but it uses Adobe Flash which is a PITA and as far as I can see it is not possible to adjust some important settings, such as the bandwidth of the streams (SQ). The advantage of this approach is that you can access your Spotify music on any computer without having to install the dedicated app (as long as it has Internet access and a reasonably recent version of the Flash player, yuck)

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Dedicated Mac / PC app
It is also possible to connect to the Spotify services with a dedicated application which runs on your Mac / PC. With this app, it is possible to set the bandwidth parameters. It also seems to have more options. If you are using a Mac and you are running a Pi + Volumio installed, you can stream any audio from it (the Mac) to the DAC on your Pi (I hope that makes sense ) You can get the app from https://www.spotify.com/uk/download

Screen Shot 2015-03-24 at 14.43.03.jpg



Iphone / ipad / Android apps
Basically the same as the Mac / PC app but for these devices. Note, you won't be able to stream over Airplay with an Android device unless you install special software which is also a PITA. In the settings section it is possible to set the SQ to "extreme" to get the full 320 kbs/sec stream. These apps are downloadable via the app store (ipad, iphone) or the google store (Android) directly from the device.

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[Qwin]

I realize all these hardware options are easy to set up, whatever combination is used - if you have the spare dosh that is.

I am more interested in what is a good set up for SQ as this varies so much depending on who you talk to. I was just trying to get my head round what Marco was getting out of this hardware set up that impressed him so much. I like the idea of the integral DAC and no moving parts on the Pi for instance.

It seems which ever route I choose there are potential SQ issues relating to both hardware and software choice, plus set up configuration, so its not quite as easy peasey as some would have you belive. Sure you can get a tune out, but whether it is the optimum SQ for the gear selected is the issue.

I can get my outdated PC in the next room to display images on my TV via an HDMI cable and sound via USB on my system DAC, I even have a USB linked sensor attached to my TV so I can use a PC remote control (£5 off the bay) this just looks like a TV remote and I can flick through itunes using it from the sofa. This works quite well but I was thinking of taking it to the next level and using hardware dedicated to Audio reproduction, and maybe a wifi tablet to browse the selections. Oh, and get rid of itunes in favour of Jriver.

CAD produce Audio PC's that have been tailored for SQ. They have their Windows operating system hacked to remove a hundred and twenty odd background routines, so the machine can consentrate all resources to the task in hand, they advocate no additional application software be loaded, other than to run the audio, not even web access and do all this through a seperate networked machine. They use SS hard drives in the PC and external devices for the Library. The list goes on but you can see they are building a platform to suit the end use. Their gear is a bit rich for me, a dedicated USB lead is £800, but the principles they apply can be adopted.

Thanks for the offer Rich, I may pick over your knowledge of the various bits of software at some point if thats all right, many of the names that crop up mean nothing to me, I see them quoted a lot but have no idea what they do.