Network Music Solutions?

drummer86

Perhaps I've over-thinking this whole scenario but I'm in need of some input...

I have approx. 600 Gb of high bitrate mp3s on an external hard drive attached to the pc in my office. I want to be able to access the music on this computer over the network, as well as the avr in the living room and the avr in the bedroom. The living room AVR is a Marantz sr5005 that also runs a zone 2 on the patio. Getting music to this AVR is the main priority but I'm looking for a few things.
1.) Sound quality should meet (but does not need to exceed) the 320kb/s bitrate of the majority of the music.
2.) Navigating the library should be relatively easy. A simple scroll option will not suffice
3.) I'd really prefer that this NOT be an apple product - in fact I'd like it to be as agnostic as possible.
and 4.) I'd like to use as few new pieces of hardware as possible.

The wireless router is located in the living room so this device does not necessarily have to be wireless. I just need a simple interface to easily search through a large amount of music and play it with acceptable sound quality in at least one or two different rooms. What are some options that you guys/gals are familiar with? Thanks!

thsmith

With all the Sqeezebox discussion going on I would think that would be a good starting point or WDTV Live.

tonyb

Squeezebox or Sonos.

drummer86

Is there anything that justifies the Sonos and Squeezebox being almost triple the price of the WDTV? I'm not seeing it. Anyone have first-hand experience with these units?

tonyb

The WDTV is more of an internet wireless device for movies, some music. Haven't owned one personally. The SB/Sonus route is built more for just music and expandability. Depends on the needs I guess. The WD certainly looks cool, but I can't attest to it's quality having not owned one.

CCNJ

I just purchased the Sonos last week. It was extremely simple to setup and works great. I bought a Sonos Connect which plugs into my Internet router. this establishes the Sonos wireless network. I also bought a Sonos Player which is connected in a different room to my benchmark hdr via digital cable. That is it in terms of hardware connections.

Sonos provides a installation cd which I ran on the computer that has all my music. you need to provide some basic information during setup so it knows where you music is (e.g. Computer, NAS drive etc). I then downloaded a free Sonos app to my IPad which serves as my interface. I really like it and was mad that it took me so long to purchase it.

Marty913

I have used the WD but dumped it for my current Netgear NEO550. Both are media players capable of music + video but I liked the NEO interface better (easier to navigate). All my music is FLAC and I access it over a wired GB network - pretty simple really. One drawback is a box is required for each location and the WD is cheaper than the NEO. Most of the current crop of media players are similar when it comes to music streaming except for the interface (Boxee, Dune, Popcorn, NEO, and WD). The differences can be more significant for video but it sounds like your objective is 320kb mp3s and they all will do that.

tonyb

CCNJ wrote: »

I really like it and was mad that it took me so long to purchase it.

Yep, me too. I need to send Phil a card or somethin' for talking me into it. When doing some serious listening, set the sonos player to fixed volume instead of variable, makes a noticable improvement in sound. Of coarse you then have to control the volume by your pre.

CCNJ

tonyb wrote: »

Yep, me too. I need to send Phil a card or somethin' for talking me into it. When doing some serious listening, set the sonos player to fixed volume instead of variable, makes a noticable improvement in sound. Of coarse you then have to control the volume by your pre.

I don't remember whose thread turned me onto the Sonos but I too need to thank some Polkie. Thanks for the tip on fixed volume.

Chris

drummer86

Marty913 wrote: »

Most of the current crop of media players are similar when it comes to music streaming except for the interface (Boxee, Dune, Popcorn, NEO, and WD). The differences can be more significant for video but it sounds like your objective is 320kb mp3s and they all will do that.

Thanks Marty. Great reply! If I want to do any serious listening I'll just pop the hard copy into the Oppo. I'm basically looking for ease of use for when we have company over. If someone wants to hear a song, all they have to do it pull it up on the network and play it on the stereo. I had originally planned to build a budget HTPC to accomplish this but these new network media players have certainly peaked my curiosity. I can't see myself ever using these for video and at this time I don't ever see myself taking the time and effort to redo my digital library in FLAC.

I'd really just like to get my hands on a few different options and try them out and am hoping to narrow down the choices by some of your experiences. I'm thinking the Sonos and Squeezebox are just a tad out of budget seeing as this really isn't a terribly high priority. Thanks for all the great replies so far, folks!