Streaming audio directly from NAS

Vanilla_Ice

Vanilla_Ice

Vanilla_Ice

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Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
966
Location
Ipswich
Hi,

I am looking for ways in which I can stream my audio files directly from a share on my NAS without the need of a PC. like so:

Nas -> Squeezebox equivalent -> AMP

I have looked into the Roku Soundbridge and Logitech Squeezebox, but they both appear to require a PC running their software for them to work.

Can they be made to work without a PC, or is there another product out there that will do what I'm looking for?

Thanks,

ICE
 
Budget ??? and do you already have an amp and speakers you want to use ?....Or possibly looking to upgrade as well to a better sound ?
 
What's your NAS? If it could run squeezecenter or a upnp server it would open up your choices.
 
9designs2 said:
Budget ??? and do you already have an amp and speakers you want to use ?....Or possibly looking to upgrade as well to a better sound ?
Click to expand...

No set budget, but if the Squeezebox equivalent was under £300 it would be nice.

Have a Kenwood AV amp (6x80w) and speakers currently. Looking to upgrade to something like (second hand) B&W 603 floorstanders and a suitable stereo amplifier maybe a Cambridge Audio 540A.

wonko said:
What's your NAS? If it could run squeezecenter or a upnp server it would open up your choices.
Click to expand...

Buffalo linkstation Pro II, running stock firmware.

Cheers,

ICE
 
I'm not a NAS expert, but it doesn't look like it does or maybe can run UPNP or Squeezecentre, which is a shame. Mine runs TwonkyMedia, as a UPNP device, and streams direct to my Linn A-DS.
So you looking to go from AV amp to a 2 channel/stereo.........In which case I would say look at the Linn SneakyDS, yes a bit over budget....BUT, it is pre-amp and power amp as well as the media stream playback device.... So hook it up to some speakers and a NAS, then control wireless with various hand held devise..... (even an iPhone now !!!).... and the job is done..... plus it's going to be the best sound you will get short of spending a fortune.
Seeing your in Ipswich, pop down to Rayleigh HiFi in Colchester and have listen and chat with them.
 
Vanilla_Ice said:
Buffalo linkstation Pro II, running stock firmware.
Click to expand...
I think you should be able to run Squeezecenter on that NAS, albeit fairly slowly. I found the following instructions which might put you off if you're not comfortable with setting it up: http://wiki.slimdevices.com/index.php/FreelinkLinkstationPro.

Edit: meant to add that it would be worth double-checking via squeezecenter forums etc. before you commit though! Also, I have got a couple of squeezebox classics in the house, and would recommend them for both usability and sound quality.

I also have a pair of B&W 603s, and I'd suggest trying some amps that have got some serious grunt to get the best out of them. I've got mine paired with a meaty Rotel power amp (RB991 IIRC) and home-brew pre-amp, which are a definite step-up over an Audiolab 8000A (which was no slouch as a 50Wpc amp).
 
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I've never quite understood the reluctance to using a PC, for one thing, you clearly already own one. If the issue is noise/power use, then how about one of the newer Atom powered PCs with an external USB drive attached. Otherwise, pretty much any PC built in the last 3 years is powerful enought to be able to stream audio, and along the way you get something that's also capable of doing other things.
 
I do have a HTPC in my lounge. I was trying to have MP3 playback available as a seperate option. I think I may reconsider getting a squeezebox type device now and maybe look at quietening/upgrading my HTPC and have it running more of the time, plus get a better remote. (one that allows creation of playlists?)

However, I think I would go the Sonos route if I where to go ahead, due to the ability to play different music in different rooms and I would like an amp in the lounge with multiple inputs.

Cheers for all the advice though lads.

ICE
 
Vanilla_Ice said:
Ok, just found the Sonos Zone Player. Looks ideal, but quite pricey.

Does anyone have any first hand experience with them?

ICE
Click to expand...

Sonos is a wonderful system from a user experience view point. Think of it as the Apple of wireless music. The systems create their own wireless mesh network with the "base" unit interfacing into your network to create the link to the NAS. The remote allows you to select music much like an ipod with album art, playlists etc. It is expandable so you can place units around the house and the remote allows you to select what music off your hard drive goes to which room or if you're having a party stream the same thing throughout the house.

Sound is as good as the weakest link - presumably the mp3s themselves if you're hooking a unit up to a decent amp and speakers. Not cheap mind you as you have identified.
 
Hi BigT

Certainly sounds good on paper and am sure that it wouldnt dissapoint, but as I have an HTPC I think I'd get better value for money if I made better use of it.

I'm thinking something like the Logitech Harmony One remote would help. Not so fussed about album artwork, but would be nice if playlist could be created from the controller. Still trying to fid out whether that is possible or not.

Would rather be able to put more money into a better amp/speakers than try and do everything at once, then have to upgrade is again before I really want to.

ICE
 
Now I am confused, a new remote control won't stream your stored music from the NAS, as you original asked for.
The Sonos looks a neat set up, and use their control would be easy why to choose the playlist... or the onscreen software on the HTPC.
But as i said if you want an audio upgrade as you mention... Then I would sacrifice a little of the Sonos slick set-up for the better sounding system of the Linn DS.... Just depends where the priority lays.
 
Vanilla_Ice said:
Certainly sounds good on paper and am sure that it wouldnt dissapoint, but as I have an HTPC I think I'd get better value for money if I made better use of it.
Click to expand...

So are you looking to stream music from the NAS to the HTPC? If so then do you have a smartphone of some description or an Ipod touch. There are some neat apps that will allow a wireless smartphone to remote control iTunes or Media Centre. Apple's own itunes controller app on the iphone/ipod touch is fantastic and would allow you to do everything you want. I'm not so clued up on the rest but I remember a couple of years ago messing around with Rudeo control http://www.rudeo.com/mce.htm Might even be worth picking up an old wi-fi Pocket PC device off the bay and using this. I'm also pretty sure that there are clients for Symbian too from other manufacturers.
 
Vanilla_Ice said:
Buffalo linkstation Pro II, running stock firmware.

Cheers,

ICE
Click to expand...

iirc there was someone on the buffalo nas central forums who installed debian on his linkstation, a usb soundcard, and used the combination to play audio directly to his hifi via an aux cable.

If you were to do that I'm not sure how you'd go about picking which songs you want to hear, but it's certainly a possibility.
 
BigT said:
So are you looking to stream music from the NAS to the HTPC? If so then do you have a smartphone of some description or an Ipod touch. There are some neat apps that will allow a wireless smartphone to remote control iTunes or Media Centre. Apple's own itunes controller app on the iphone/ipod touch is fantastic and would allow you to do everything you want. I'm not so clued up on the rest but I remember a couple of years ago messing around with Rudeo control http://www.rudeo.com/mce.htm Might even be worth picking up an old wi-fi Pocket PC device off the bay and using this. I'm also pretty sure that there are clients for Symbian too from other manufacturers.
Click to expand...

Rudeo looks interesting and I have a spare WM5 PDA. My HTPC runs Vista MCE X64, so I am waiting to hear back from Rudeo sales to see if it compatible.

Thanks for the heads up.

ICE
 
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