Streaming Lossless Audio - Best Device?

AsSiMiLaTeD

OK, so let's say that I'm less than impressed with the sound quality even on lossless audio with Apple TV. The overall functionality of that device is great and I may keep it, but the audio streaming is fairly poor, so I want something else.

Requirements:

1 - Needs to be able to stream both compressed and lossless audio.
2 - Needs to do a good job with lossless audio. I may not get something as good as a high end CD player, but would like acceptable quality on lossless audio, something I could use in all but the most critical listening conditions
3 - Needs to be something I can can control with my iPad, so where I can browse the library on that device and hit play and have it play through my main HT system.

That last requirement is why I bought the Apple TV, but the Apple TV fails in requirement #2.

The only thing I've heard of along these lines is the Squeezebox, but I don't know much about it and it if meets all 3 requirements.

coolsax

squeezebox(touch, original, Duet), Sonos and the Olive O2M

all 3 have Iapps that allow you to control them and all have high quality streaming. I have heard part of the AppleTV issue is that its not bit perfect, though i'm not sure how much that affects the actual quality b/c i haven't tried it.

steveinaz

Are you going to be using an external DAC or playing analog out?

punk-roc

I really like using my Netbook -> USB to an external DAC for streaming from my NAS and pandora, etc

Jason

AsSiMiLaTeD

For now I'll be using the DACs in my Pioneer Elite AVR, may add a DAC later on. Either that or I can go analog, I suppose it depends on the device. That Sonos is nice but I'd be looking at $500 to get up and running with one of those.

My music server is in another room, so need somethat that work wirelessly. Basically I want an Apple TV, that sounds good, which apparently does not exist.

steveinaz

The Sonos is very appealing....

AsSiMiLaTeD

It sure does, I just wish they had a product that left out all the speakers and such so that I could just use it to stream and save me some cash.

Sherardp

Two choices come to mind

1). Fileshare App with the Ipad. Allows you to share your music directly with the Ipad from PC. Streams directly to the Ipad, so you can connect it to your home audio/video system. Works with video also.

2). Squeezebox Touch with the Ipad app Squeezepad. Allows you to see all your music on the Touch, see art etc. Create a playlist on the go, save it in the squeezepad app. So much it can it blows my mind. I use it outdoors when jamming the Atrium 60's.

Check out both.

AsSiMiLaTeD

With the SB, can I view music on the iPad and have it play through the SB into my receiver like I can with the Apple TV, or how does that work?

steveinaz

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

It sure does, I just wish they had a product that left out all the speakers and such so that I could just use it to stream and save me some cash.

Can't you just buy the ZP90 and the remote (or cell phone app)?

coolsax

actually the Sonos can be started at just the cost of the Zp90 or used zp80 ,if you can find it, you don't need to buy the controller since you plan on using an Idevice (ipad,ipod,iphone) with it. this is a moot point though if the sonos won't be near the router. then you will need the zone bridge which would put it at closer to $500 to start. I'm currently happy with my laptop to USB dac, but If I ever decide to multiroom or take my computer out of it sonos will be right up there with the SB.

heiney9

Logitech Squeeze Box products are superb!

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/speakers-audio/wireless-music-systems

I currently have the Touch, Classic, and Squeeze Radio

H9

BlueFox

Does wireless have the bandwidth for lossless? And with error correction?

Face

A friend of mine uses his iPad to control a NAS that feeds an external DAC. He uses iTunes too, but I'm unsure what other apps are needed.

heiney9

BlueFox wrote: »

Does wireless have the bandwidth for lossless? And with error correction?

Huh? It streams lossless, no issues of error correction or dropouts, etc. I've compared a cdp transport and the Touch using the same external dac and I heard ZERO difference. I was a huge skeptic a few years ago and I am convinced with a nice exteral dac you can meet or exceed a cdp easily.

I am a complete convert

H9

unc2701

Face wrote: »

A friend of mine uses his iPad to control a NAS that feeds an external DAC. He uses iTunes too, but I'm unsure what other apps are needed.

Nothing else needed. Computer, itunes, iPad/iPhone/iPod touch with the Apple remote app (free).

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'm finding a few versions of the Squeezebox and am wondering if anyone has expreience with these and knows which one may be better.

I've found the Boom and Radio (I think those are out). I've also come across the Duet, Touch, and what's being referring to as the original, and i think there may be different versions of that.

I'm reading several bad reviews on the Duet on Amazon, seems that the Classic seems to be the way to go if I can find the v3.

Any thoughts?

heiney9

The Boom is wireless boom box that is portable and plays in stereo, sounds better than a Bose Wave Radio. Internet radio or streams from your music server.

The Radio, is a table top mono two way (bass and treble drivers) radio, again something that is portable. I use mine as a clock radio since it has sleep settings and alarm settings and I can stream internet radio or all my music on my music server in the bedroom.

The Duet is basically the same as the Classic except the remote control has an LCD screen that shows art work and what ever text info would be shown on the Classic's screen which is usually across the room.

The Touch has a larger built in (color) screen on the actual unit that shows art work and is generally clearer and larger than the text based screen on the Classic. It also has slightly better internal dac's and you can plug in a USB device. It's also Touch activated whe not using the remote, the Classic and Duet are not.

Don't go singularly by Amazon reviews. My brother had a Duet which a forum friend now has and not a single issue from either or them. If you have a iPod or Android phone there is an app that will give you the same control and features as the Duet remote. It will run all the Squeeze products actually.

iPeng for Apple; Squeeze Commander for Android.

H9

heiney9

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I'm reading several bad reviews on the Duet on Amazon, seems that the Classic seems to be the way to go if I can find the v3.

Any thoughts?

v2 and v3 do exactly the same thing and have the exact same size display except the v2 is longer and more slender the v3 is taller and more square. They are identical except for aesthetics.

H9

AsSiMiLaTeD

Yeah the control with the app is what I'm looking for. I could care less about the sb remote because I'll be using the iPad for all that.

I'm gonna try to find a Classic 2 or 3 and if not I'll spend more and get the Duet.

Thanks for all the help.

heiney9

Why the Duet if you could careless about the remote. The only thing different about the Duet over the Classic versions is the LCD remote. If are using an app for an Apple or Android product don't pay for the Duet.

I'd get the Touch since it has a nice screen display.

EDIT- you can't buy the Duet receiver w/o the controller

H9

AsSiMiLaTeD

Exactly my thoughts, the Duet is only an alternative if I can't find a Classic...which is harder than you'd think

heiney9

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Exactly my thoughts, the Duet is only an alternative if I can't find a Classic...which is harder than you'd think

I'm not getting it. You don't want the remote because you have an iPad yet the Duet is your second choice . Why would you pay double for soemthing you don't even want.

I would say finding a Classic will be easier.........I assume you mean buying used. The Touch is $100 cheaper than the Duet of which you already said you have no use for.

I have a Classic that is sort of for sale. The deal fell through and I'm thinking I could possibly have a use for it in my new house. The only problem with it is the digital coax out doesn't work anymore. It still has Toslink out as well as the analog outputs. I've always used the Toslink for my stand alone dac. I also have a Boulder modded ELPAC linear power supply for it which really makes an improvement.

If you are at all interested let me know. I would sell them as a package deal since I'd have no use for the ELPAC w/o the Classic.

http://www.boldercables.com/servlet/-strse-381/power-supply-squeezebox-squeeze/Detail

The mod itself is $125 and you supply the ELPAC. When you could get ELPAC's the were about $100.

H9

heiney9

Review in Affordable Audio of v3 and stock and MODDED ELPAC

http://www.affordableaudio.org/aa2007-09.pdf

H9

Fongolio

Here's what I'm doing and it has given me outstanding results. I'm using J River Media Server on the computer and I stream it via my router and cat5 cable (but it will also work wireless) to an Apple Airport Express. Then from there to a DAC via toslink. Sound quality is on par with my Rotel RCD855 with tube output. My son's newest generation Ipod can control it. J River is by far the best PC based media server I've used. It will even upconvert to 24/192 and beyond if you have a dac that can accept it. The dac I'm using is the best bang for buck dac I've ever used as well. Super DAC Pro 707. It handles usb, toslink, and coax. It came with cables for all three. It's tiny but sounds superb and best of all it's around $100. The results I'm getting are fantastic.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Actually on Amazon the Duet is cheaper than the Touch, which is why I had it second in line if I cannot find a Classic. The Duet is $220 and the Touch is $290

Yeah I'd never use the remote on the Duet, I'd likely just throw it in the box and never use it.

Your classic is probably going to be higher end than what I'm looking for with the modded PS, but I'll PM you anyway.

Thanks again

heiney9 wrote: »

I'm not getting it. You don't want the remote because you have an iPad yet the Duet is your second choice . Why would you pay double for soemthing you don't even want.

I would say finding a Classic will be easier.........I assume you mean buying used. The Touch is $100 cheaper than the Duet of which you already said you have no use for.

I have a Classic that is sort of for sale. The deal fell through and I'm thinking I could possibly have a use for it in my new house. The only problem with it is the digital coax out doesn't work anymore. It still has Toslink out as well as the analog outputs. I've always used the Toslink for my stand alone dac. I also have a Boulder modded ELPAC linear power supply for it which really makes an improvement.

If you are at all interested let me know. I would sell them as a package deal since I'd have no use for the ELPAC w/o the Classic.

http://www.boldercables.com/servlet/-strse-381/power-supply-squeezebox-squeeze/Detail

The mod itself is $125 and you supply the ELPAC. When you could get ELPAC's the were about $100.

H9

heiney9

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

The Duet is $220 and the Touch is $290

Yeah I'd never use the remote on the Duet, I'd likely just throw it in the box and never use it.

Your classic is probably going to be higher end than what I'm looking for with the modded PS, but I'll PM you anyway.

Thanks again

Are you sure the Duet you're looking at is for the whole unit and not just the controller?

The Duet retails for $399 so if it's $220 that's an incredible price. The Duet controller retails for $299 and the $220 is much more likely to be for the controller only. Not too many retail outlets carry these and they are current so no reason to blow them out.

The $290 is about the normal discount for the Touch which retails at $299.

Shoot me a PM when you get a chance...........it might be just what you're looking for at the right price.

H9

AsSiMiLaTeD

I sent you a PM

pearsall001

Loving my SONOS system!!! Highly recommended. ZP90 for my system, ZP120 for the deck speakers, S5 speaker for the dining room, CR200 (two) one controller for downstairs & one for upstairs. You know you hit a home run when your wife compliments it.

EndersShadow

Personally I just decided to build a HTPC so I can use it to stream my FLAC and also play my DVD's and blu-rays that will be stored on my computer.

Unfortunately that setup costs more than most of the suggested products here, but in my case offers more flexibility.

unc2701

heiney9 wrote: »

Are you sure the Duet you're looking at is for the whole unit and not just the controller?

The Duet retails for $399 so if it's $220 that's an incredible price. The Duet controller retails for $299 and the $220 is much more likely to be for the controller only. Not too many retail outlets carry these and they are current so no reason to blow them out.

H9

It's the whole unit- I was eyeballing that myself. Every now & then Amazon will have things inexplicably low, but it'll go away in a few days & not come back. I picked up my blu-ray for $110 in January and haven't seen it under $170 since.