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Post by pre65 on Mar 8, 2019 10:35:11 GMT
I'm currently using a Squeezebox Touch (with MRCU power supply) for my hard disc/streamed audio.
Would the above items advertised likely be an upgrade to what I already use ?
And I presume I'd need a monitor to see what is playing ? And no, I don't have a smart phone so how does one control track selection etc ?
Mr Numpty.
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Post by Stratmangler on Mar 8, 2019 11:13:40 GMT
And I presume I'd need a monitor to see what is playing ? And no, I don't have a smart phone so how does one control track selection etc ?
What do you use currently? You don't actually touch the screen, do you?
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Post by pre65 on Mar 8, 2019 11:18:11 GMT
Oh yes Chris, touch the screen I do.
If the Touch was a bit nearer to me and I could read the screen the supplied remote would do.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 8, 2019 12:41:36 GMT
I'm currently using a Squeezebox Touch (with MRCU power supply) for my hard disc/streamed audio.
Would the above items advertised likely be an upgrade to what I already use ?
And I presume I'd need a monitor to see what is playing ? And no, I don't have a smart phone so how does one control track selection etc ? 1. Having used a Touch myself, even with all the optimisations it's far away from the DigiOne in terms of potential sound quality. You will need a good 5V PSU for the Pi but you may already have that with the MCRU. 2. You need a controlling device on the same network as the Pi, so any laptop or tablet will do. You don't connect a display to the Pi itself. Whatever build you decide on (Volumio, Pico, Moode etc.) generates a graphical environment to display in the browser of your controlling device.
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Post by nrg on Mar 8, 2019 13:10:58 GMT
You'll also need an external DAC Phil as the digione is SPDIF out....
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Post by liffy99 on Mar 8, 2019 13:45:19 GMT
Hi I too have a SB Touch with software upgrades. It is now relegated to the kitchen. The RPI 3 + HifiBerry card was better still and the Allo card has moved things on a little further. These are all incremental improvements to my ears - not ‘in your face’ quantum leaps ! As has been said the RPI / Allo provides a digital output so you will need a DAC of some sort (you can add one to the Pi ‘stack’.) And you need to control it over wifi with an app for your smartphone or tablet. I use Squeezepad on my Ipad. I am only moving it on as my new amp has Airplay facility and I can thus do away with one box / psu / leads etc. I think the Allo combination actually sounds a little better than the Airplay configuration, but I am seeking more simplicity and want to reduce my rats nest of cables. Hope that helps.
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Post by Stratmangler on Mar 8, 2019 14:17:09 GMT
Do you have a Kindle, Phil? Orange Squeeze works on Android devices, and it's a good app to use.
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Post by Stratmangler on Mar 8, 2019 14:20:29 GMT
You will need a good 5V PSU for the Pi but you may already have that with the MCRU Nick designed and built it, and it's one of the quietest PSUs around. To say Nick is obsessive about quiet PSUs is understating things just a little bit
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Post by MartinT on Mar 8, 2019 14:38:54 GMT
That's good news as Philip won't need to buy another one, should he take the Pi route.
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spook
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 20
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Post by spook on Mar 9, 2019 22:45:08 GMT
Hi there,
I'm considering dipping my toe into digital streaming. I currently play all my music on CD, SACD and DAB radio. The core of my system is an Ayre C-5xemp player, playing through an Ayre K-1 xe preamp into a pair of Adams active speakers.
I am looking at streamers and I must confess I have minimal knowledge of what to look for. I have read that a lot of expensive network streamers are in fact something along the lines of a RPI with a fancy case. I've also read that the results given by a RPI are as good as many a more expensive branded unit. Is that a reasonable assumption?
I have an old dCS Delius DAC which can be fussy with SACDs but ultimately I'd like to get an Ayre QB-9 (DSD). My question(s) is; will your RPI be reasonably user friendly to set up via an iphone and WIFI, (for a numbty like me)? and will the quality be up there with some of the branded network streamers?
Apologies for the somewhat rambling questions....
Steve.
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Post by John on Mar 10, 2019 7:45:50 GMT
Set up is not so bad we have a guide on the site and plenty of us can help you through the process I think players like the DigiOne and DigiOne signature offer incredible value Yes you can get better but will cost more
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 10, 2019 10:49:56 GMT
Dipping a toe sounds like a Pi to me. Have a look at the set up here and come back for questions especially if as poor as me setting up such things. 2nd hand may be a good bet as there are now a few coming around. Should be able to plug them in and work right away
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2019 11:19:47 GMT
I was surprised by the Pi, but also very disappointed when using files. If all you are going to do is use online services such as Spotify, Tidal etc., the Pi would be the right choice, but with files you’ll need something more substantial IMHO.
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Post by pre65 on Mar 10, 2019 11:28:24 GMT
I was surprised by the Pi, but also very disappointed when using files. If all you are going to do is use online services such as Spotify, Tidal etc., the Pi would be the right choice, but with files you’ll need something more substantial IMHO. Can you please elucidate on the bit about needing something "more substantial" for files ?
I don't usually stream (occasional radio on Squeezebox) as most of mine is on a hard drive.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 10, 2019 11:41:03 GMT
I don't agree about files, I only have a few on OneDrive but the SQ from Pi/Volumio is the same as for streaming Qobuz 16/44.
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spook
Rank: Soloist
Posts: 20
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Post by spook on Mar 10, 2019 14:27:56 GMT
Thanks for the replies everyone, they are most helpful. Can I just check what digital out provision there is as I’ll need to match with the dac.
Also should I be reasonably confident about being able to play and play without too much need for coding etc as I would probably struggle with that.
Thanks.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 10, 2019 14:36:55 GMT
As liffy99 has said in the opening post, S/PDIF via phono or BNC.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2019 19:11:39 GMT
I don't agree about files, I only have a few on OneDrive but the SQ from Pi/Volumio is the same as for streaming Qobuz 16/44. Fair enough, how did you rip the files and aren't you using a NAS? I wonder if that has something to do with it too.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 10, 2019 19:15:55 GMT
I ripped using Exact Audio Copy to my Blu-Ray drive on the PC.
I'm not using the NAS as I find OneDrive easier, but it *should* amount to the same thing.
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Post by speedysteve on Mar 10, 2019 20:39:24 GMT
I find various Flacs, some I've ripped, some I've bought and downloaded, stored on a USB NAS drive plugged into my router, to be the match of Spotify streaming.
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