Squeezebox, AppleTV, EVA8000 or HTPC ?

[stewa]

Hi

I have decided not to buy a CD player but to instead go for an Audio Streaming Device. I am going round in circles. I have considered the Squeezebox and an HTPC or Neatgear EVA700/8000 ( can these through work at a good price ). The AppleTV looks interesting but am worried it won't work with my Windows 2003 Server. I am looking for something with good sound to fit into my system.

Current Setup. Toshiba 32" LCD TV, Sky HD, Cambridge Audio 640R Receiver, Sony HDX720 DVD Recorder, B&W DM601 S3, D&W LCR60, Yamaha Sub

Thanks

[amcluesent]

HTPC is overkill for just music IMHO, you would also want it to replace your DVD and go with MythTV or MCE. And a silent HTPC with no fans with cost a bit.

Squeezebox 3 is, for music, a good balance of cost/performance (I have two!). You could go for a Transporter if you expected to upgrade the rest of the hi-fi one day . The slimserver s/w is a free download so you could try it out on Window 2003 (there is also a free s/w player, softsqeeze) before you commit any money.

[lazymatt]

I'd say for music, SB3 as well.

[stewa]

Hi

I have tried out Slimserver in Win 2003 and it works fine with softsqueeze running on my notebook.

The interface concerns me a bit ( needs to be wife and teenager friendly ). The interfaces that output to a TV seem much more user friendly.

If I get an SB should I use the Analogue output or digital, and let my Cambride Audio 640R handle the DAC?

Thanks

[amcluesent]

>The interface concerns me a bit<

On the slimserver or SB3? Slimserver 7.0 should be an improvement, the SB3 is basically left, right, up, down, play...plus you can disable any menu options that would confuse her indoors

>should I use the Analogue output or digital<

Let your ears decide...but chances are the SB3 has a superior DAC to the Cambride Audio 640R

[lazymatt]

Yeah, the interface on the SB3 is as simple as it can be whilst still maintaining the functionality. It's just a case of getting used to a slightly different way of thinking about music.

[Autopilot]

Just to reiterate what's already been said, the SB3 UI is pretty much fool proof. If they can use an iPod, they wont have any trouble at all using the SB3.

As for devices that use a TV, don't go there. It's a real drag having to have the TV on when you listen to music.

So yes, go for an SB3. Brilliant bit of kit, best electronic device i ever bought.