MP3 with network drive

[jamescarruthers]

Hi all,


I am looking to purchase a stereo system for my father.


1) It needs to be able to play MP3s that are stored on a network drive.

2) Needs to have small speakers.


I was thinking of a Squeezebox and a Bose system - but am unsure if the Squeezebox will work off a network drive (all the MP3s are kept on a network drive which is attached to our home wireless network - so everyone can access the library of MP3s)

Bose - he likes the small speakers etc - but the small Denon and some nice speakers would do.

Any advice or suggestions appreciated


James

[Ceejayav]

I think Squeezeboxes are great, but they might not be what you need here. A Squeezebox ONLY works if it is connected to an instance of Slimserver. If you're playing internet radio then you can use slim's SqueezeNetwork to provide this function, but if you want to access your own local files you must run a copy of slimserver somewhere, on a local server.

It is possible to run slimserver on some NAS devices which have enough grunt to run the software and which are sufficiently hackable to get software onto. But this can be a bit tricky and performance isn't usually great. Read up on NAS at the Slim forums if you are interested.

HTH

[Autopilot]

Hi James, which network drive does he have? There might be a chance of it being able to run slimserver.

If the network drive cant run slimserver it would still be posible to play music thats stored on it, but you would have to have atleast one pc on the network powered up running slimserver.

[lazymatt]

You can run Slimserver off a lot of NAS drive these days. Which NAS do you have?

Otherwise have a look at something like the Sonos. Which can come with it's own amp, and you just need to attach speakers of your choice. With decent speakers it'll usually sound much better than a Bose system, providing a much better stereo image.

However, it's better to use lossless files with these streamers, rather than MP3's....the difference really is remarkable. With decent files they hold their own against good CDP's,

[jamescarruthers]

It's a Buffalo Linkstation NAS.

I'll have a look in to the Sonos systems - they seem quite pricey once you add all the bits like the controller?

I have to admit I threw the Bose idea in because he mentioned he likes the idea of small speakers (and Bose specifically) - personally I don't care too much - but the room it's to be used in might be a little overpowering with big speakers. (also family politics )

Having a machine running to play the software isn't so bad but the NAS would be preferable. I'll have a hunt on the Squeezebox forums - missed that when I was reading their website.

Thanks all

[lazymatt]

Buffalo's generally happily run Slimserver:

http://fieldnetworks.com/slim/linkstation.html

Sonos can be pricey (especially if you consider you really need to have 2 ZP's unless you have a wired network). It is probably the easiest to set up, and I love the controller.

I appreciate the aesthetics of the Bose - not gonna turn this into a Bose bashing thread. If he's happy with it, then cool

As I said, if you do go for the Sonos, or SB, start to rip your future CD's in FLAC.

I'm just putting together a Sonos system with FLAC files on a Buffalo NAS attached to a Bose, so I'll let you know how we get on.

[jamescarruthers]

He doesn't own a Bose yet - he's just seen them and likes the size.

Personally I have no idea what Bose are like - I listened to lots of full size Hifi stuff when I bought mine 7 years ago and have merrily listened to it ever since.

So basically I am starting from scratch

[Autopilot]

I'll bash 'em then Most Bose stuff tends to be a bit gimmicky, over priced and generally aimed at people who just want stuff that fits in with the modern trendy home look. They are not the worst by a long way, but there is much much better stuff you can spend your hard earned cash on.

If you want a small system, i highly recommend you look at the Q-Acoustics 1010 speakers and a decent small form factor AMP. Anything smaller than that would not really do the SB3 justice IMO, especially if you store your music in FLAC (highly recommended). You are best to pop into the other relevant forums for some speaker/amp idea's.

[jamescarruthers]

Originally Posted by Autopilot

I'll bash 'em then Most Bose stuff tends to be a bit gimmicky, over priced and generally aimed at people who just want stuff that fits in with the modern trendy home look. They are not the worst by a long way, but there is much much better stuff you can spend your hard earned cash on.

If you want a small system, i highly recommend you look at the Q-Acoustics 1010 speakers and a decent small form factor AMP. Anything smaller than that would not really do the SB3 justice IMO, especially if you store your music in FLAC (highly recommended). You are best to pop into the other relevant forums for some speaker/amp idea's.

I half guessed that about Bose

The Q-Acoustics sound about the right for the budget - just need to find a small form factor amp to go with them.

[Autopilot]

Very highly regarded speakers the 1010's, won plenty of awards. Let us know how you get on with the AMP

[jamescarruthers]

I think I had best ask on the relevant forum for the amp