VortexBox rocks!

mdaudioguy
mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
edited June 2013 in Electronics
Earlier this year I put together a small, low-power PC to use as a dedicated music server for my Squeezebox players. Initially, I just used an Ubuntu desktop install, which was functional, however upgrades and maintenance of the OS became somewhat cumbersome, since I was using VNC to access the server remotely and encountered display issues. Plus, there was a lot of junk installed that I had no use for in this particular application. I briefly switched to a basic Ubuntu Server installation, but realized that I didn't have the time to become a command line guru.

So, I decided to give VirtualBox a try (see www.virtualbox.org). What a great product - free, open-source, and it just plain works! Everything is essentially pre-configured. Logitech Media Server is already included. Additional configuration is accomplished simply by entering your server name or IP into any browser on your network. It even works with my smartphone when on wifi. One click takes you right into the LMS interface.

What I really like is when I want to add a new CD to my collection, all I need to do is place it in the server's CD/DVD drive, and it automatically rips to FLAC - tags, artwork, and everything. The files are automatically shared out to the rest of my Windows network via Samba. They couldn't have made this easier. It's not just for Squeezebox devices either. Evidently, it works with Sonos and Apple products as well, and has an integrated DLNA server, so I think it provides a lot of options for the future. I've only been using it a few days, but I'm completely sold on Vortexbox as my solution.
Post edited by mdaudioguy on
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited November 2011
    Duh... :redface: VortexBox... www.vortexbox.org!
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  • ESavinon
    ESavinon Posts: 3,066
    edited November 2011
    I'm a vortexbox fanatic. Have you tried subsonic? You can access your server from any computer, or smartphone anywhere.
    SRT For Life; SDA Forever!

    The SRT SEISMIC System:
    Four main satellite speakers, six powered subs, two dedicated for LFE channel, two center speakers for over/under screen placement and three Control Centers. Amaze your friends, terrorize your neighbors, seize the audio bragging rights for your state. Go ahead, buy it; you only go around once.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited November 2011
    Yes, I think you might the one who first brought it to my attention when I was putting my music server together a while back. Wish I'd started using it then. I'm impressed with the simplicity of it, but it's also very customizable. Nice little forum on their website, too. Works beautifully with Squeezebox.
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  • wattmeworry
    wattmeworry Posts: 224
    edited November 2011
    I have used vortexbox for over a year now,very easy to use,insert disc records to FLAC Vortexbox to router to squeezebox touch to dac to preamp.I cant belive all the discussion going on about streaming music and this gets overlooked.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited November 2011
    Yep, running on a very low-power, fanless PC (server) - I'm not sure if there's a better solution out there. Some of the NAS/Squeezebox solutions, might work for a basic solution, but VortexBox gives a full-featured, fully customizable solution. Gotta be hard to beat, and ridiculously simple. Just trying to spread the word about it here...
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  • kappclark
    kappclark Posts: 136
    edited June 2013
    Love my vortexbox -- very simple..good support community

    Running mine on a middle of the road HP P4 .. flawless...
    *************************
    ** Bill Clark Windham, VT **
    *************************
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