Member Log In

Not a Member Yet?

It only takes a minute to start enjoying the benefits of AVForums membership, and it's free!

Need some guidance on music streaming

Post Reply
Old 30-11-2012, 1:23 AM   #1
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Thanks: Gave 0, Got 2
Posts: 74
Need some guidance on music streaming

I'm basically i'm looking for the most intuitive, easy way of listening to FLACs at home through my Denon 3312 receiver.

The Airplay feature makes things very easy when it comes to mp3s. But when it comes to FLACs, running them through Asset Media Server via my phone or laptop browser with the TV on etc there are various issues such as not being able to pause, rewind or forward a track (just stop), wifi dropouts etc Arranging/sorting is a painful experience too.

What i'd prefer is instant access to FLACs at any time and as smooth a process as possible generally, with minimal interference. I don't have great internet speed where I am but streaming appears only option and from what I gather a NAS Drive with a Sonos system might be the way forward?

What Sonos gear would I actually need though if playing through my current receiver/speakers? Would it just be Sonos Connect?

And if I did eventually want music in another room of the house is it just a case of buying an extra Sonos unit at a later date?

Also regarding good NAS drives, any recommendations for reliability, affordability, ease of use etc?

Cheers
  Quote
Advert
Log in or sign up to remove
Old 30-11-2012, 11:43 AM   #2
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Thanks: Gave 13, Got 24
Posts: 225
I'll help with the sonos.

If using your receiver as the amp, then your spot on, just need the sonos connect unit.

You will need to have either the Sonos connected hard wired to your network somehow, or invest in a sonos 'bridge'

The sonos system doesnt use your normal Wifi network, it creates its own. Once you have one device (bridge or the connect unit) connected to your network, any other sonos units you buy will wirelessly connect to the other sonos unit.

Dont forget this isnt streaming over the internet, so your internet bandwidth doesnt matter, just your internal network.

With regards to the NAS drive, where do you have your music stored at the moment?
  Quote
Old 30-11-2012, 12:11 PM   #3
Assured Advertiser
Join Date: Oct 2004
Thanks: Gave 45, Got 320
Posts: 2,143
Quote:
Originally Posted by barongimpy View Post
I'm basically i'm looking for the most intuitive, easy way of listening to FLACs at home through my Denon 3312 receiver.

The Airplay feature makes things very easy when it comes to mp3s. But when it comes to FLACs, running them through Asset Media Server via my phone or laptop browser with the TV on etc there are various issues such as not being able to pause, rewind or forward a track (just stop), wifi dropouts etc Arranging/sorting is a painful experience too.

What i'd prefer is instant access to FLACs at any time and as smooth a process as possible generally, with minimal interference. I don't have great internet speed where I am but streaming appears only option and from what I gather a NAS Drive with a Sonos system might be the way forward?

What Sonos gear would I actually need though if playing through my current receiver/speakers? Would it just be Sonos Connect?

And if I did eventually want music in another room of the house is it just a case of buying an extra Sonos unit at a later date?

Also regarding good NAS drives, any recommendations for reliability, affordability, ease of use etc?

Cheers
Have a look at Simple Audio Roomplayer. Will be similar in concept to Sonos but higher quality and bandwith (Powerline rather than wireless).
  Quote
Old 30-11-2012, 1:10 PM   #4
Moderator
amcluesent's Avatar
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Glasgow
Thanks: Gave 200, Got 669
Posts: 4,017
OP, have you considered converting a few FLAC to Apple Lossless (ALAC) and see if the Denon can cope?
  Quote
Old 30-11-2012, 1:47 PM   #5
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Thanks: Gave 0, Got 2
Posts: 74
Quote:
Originally Posted by rorton View Post
I'll help with the sonos.

If using your receiver as the amp, then your spot on, just need the sonos connect unit.

You will need to have either the Sonos connected hard wired to your network somehow, or invest in a sonos 'bridge'

The sonos system doesnt use your normal Wifi network, it creates its own. Once you have one device (bridge or the connect unit) connected to your network, any other sonos units you buy will wirelessly connect to the other sonos unit.

Dont forget this isnt streaming over the internet, so your internet bandwidth doesnt matter, just your internal network.

With regards to the NAS drive, where do you have your music stored at the moment?
Great stuff, thanks. Music is currently stored on laptop.
  Quote
Old 30-11-2012, 1:51 PM   #6
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Thanks: Gave 0, Got 2
Posts: 74
Quote:
Originally Posted by quantumAV View Post
Have a look at Simple Audio Roomplayer. Will be similar in concept to Sonos but higher quality and bandwith (Powerline rather than wireless).
Hadn't at all but will look into it. Assume it's pricier?
  Quote
Old 30-11-2012, 2:14 PM   #7
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Thanks: Gave 0, Got 2
Posts: 74
Quote:
Originally Posted by amcluesent View Post
OP, have you considered converting a few FLAC to Apple Lossless (ALAC) and see if the Denon can cope?
I haven't actually, I suppose because a big reason why using phone/mp3 combo is so easy right now is because much of my music is actually stored on the phone as well whereas if I switched to only really listening to FLACs/lossless, then i'd still need laptop on etc because of lack of storage space on phone and I was hoping for an all-in-one solution to move away from that and just get instant access to the music via a phone/remote.

But suppose it's still worth considering as it'll save ££s.
  Quote
Old 30-11-2012, 3:21 PM   #8
Assured Advertiser
Join Date: Oct 2004
Thanks: Gave 45, Got 320
Posts: 2,143
Quote:
Originally Posted by barongimpy View Post
Hadn't at all but will look into it. Assume it's pricier?
A little - if you compare the Roomplayer II at £499 (the one you would connect to your amp) to the Sonos Connect at £280

Amplified versions Roomplayer I is £599, Sonos Connect Amp is £399. You may need a Bridge as well for Sonos.
  Quote
Old 30-11-2012, 5:09 PM   #9
Moderator
amcluesent's Avatar
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Glasgow
Thanks: Gave 200, Got 669
Posts: 4,017
Quote:
because of lack of storage space on phone and I was hoping for an all-in-one solution
Have a look at Cocktail Audio X10

Last edited by amcluesent; 30-11-2012 at 5:22 PM.
  Quote
Post Reply



Thread information and display options
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off