Streamers - Advice needed!
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URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5533
Printed Date: 19 Apr 2024 at 4:16pm
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Topic: Streamers - Advice needed!
Posted By: msphil
Subject: Streamers - Advice needed!
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2022 at 3:51pm
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Help! Owing to computer problems I had to update my Apple iMac Pro to the latest system software ‘Monterey’. As a result my much-loved, long-term streaming device (the Logitech Sqeezebox Touch) has finally become defunct. The problem being it’s age and a lack of compatible software. My VERY extensive music library is stored on an external hard-drive which plays through the new ‘Apple Music’ app. I am now desperately looking to replace the Squeezebox Touch with some other great-sounding streamer. I know some people on the forum have made one based on the Raspberry Pi but as I am disabled this would not be possible for me. Can anyone suggest a quality streamer that would work through my ‘Majestic’ DAC/Pre-amp from an Apple device? Any help will be greatly appreciated. ------------- 'You are, through your soul not your body, a human being.' |
Replies:
Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2022 at 4:22pm
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Hi Phil, I hope you’re keeping well. The Raspberry Pi option only requires two things to be pushed together and put in a case. The software is on a miniSD card inserted in the Pi. If pouring the birds together is the problem, I’m sure one of us could do it for you.
https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/bundles/hifiberry-digi-bundle-4/ - https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/bundles/hifiberry-digi-bundle-4/ ------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2022 at 8:33pm
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Sadly due to huge demand and lack of supply at the current time, Raspberry Pi boards are not readily available at the usual low prices. Scalpers are profiteering by selling at high prices. I still need to have a play with the Pi2AES Lite before I recommend it. I think Squeezebox OS is available to install on single board computers. Hopefully for both x86 and ARM-based processors, depending on which ISA the computer uses. You have a 5V 3A linear PSU already that you can implement? Many streamers use 12V, potentially making the 5V supply redundant.
------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: Mikeh
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 12:18pm
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Phil, I use a Limetree Bridge for all streaming services which might be worth a look. Physically the Bridge is very similar design to GS equipment, about the same size & shape as a Novo headamp. The Bridge provides digital output to connect to the Majestic, using the Maj's dac. I find it simple to operate with the provided app, streaming files stored on a NAS or from streaming service (e.g. Qobuz). The price seems to have gone up since I bought mine a couple of years ago. I got mine from Igloo Audio who were very helpful and seemed to be knowledgeable about the Bridge. Like everything there are many other options! ------------- Mike Technics sl1210g with Victor U-2 Accession MM, Majestic + Proprius, Solo ULDE Cambridge Audio CXC CD player Lindemann Limetree Bridge streamer Harbeth P3ESR XD paired with 2x REL t5x |
Posted By: msphil
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 12:27pm
Hi Ash. I have been looking for a new version of the Logitech media server that will work with the latest Apple system software. It would be really fantastic if you. (or anyone else) knows where one can be obtained. The Squeezebox touch is a good clean server even though it must be over 10 years old by now. I was running system 7.4 with ‘Big Sur’ but with ‘Monterey, it no longer seems to work. I would be really grateful if any member can send me a link that might solve this problem. ------------- 'You are, through your soul not your body, a human being.' |
Ash wrote:Posted By: msphil
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 12:46pm
Many thanks, This sounds interesting I will have to try and google it to find out more.I have been looking at a Bluesound Node but I have found it difficult to set up with my system. According to all the reviews I have read it is supposed to be easy, but I must be doing something wrong! ------------- 'You are, through your soul not your body, a human being.' |
Posted By: patientot
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 1:35pm
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In many cases a small, basic laptop hooked up to a USB DAC is going to be easier to use than any dedicated streaming device. Not a fan of proprietary software and streamer boxes as they always seem to have problems eventually. A couple of years ago some guy blew up his speakers using one of those Bluesound things. User error - but they don't make these things intuitive to use. The DIY stuff is great but assumes the user is going to spend some time setting things up and troubleshooting. Not always straightforward either. ------------- SL-1200 MK7 (modified) + Reflex M + PSU-1 used with AT150-40ML, AT VM95ML, Stanton 680mkII + Ogura, and Shure M35X cartridges. |
Posted By: msphil
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 3:29pm
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[QUOTE=ICL1P]Hi Phil, I hope you’re keeping well. The Raspberry Pi option only requires two things to be pushed together and put in a case. The software is on a miniSD card inserted in the Pi. If pouring the birds together is the problem, I’m sure one of us could do it for you. https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/bundles/hifiberry-digi-bundle-4/ - https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/bundles/hifiberry-digi-bundle-4/ f [QUOTE/] Hi ICL1P I haven’t been on the forum for quite some time. Mainly because after being in hospital for two weeks at the start of the pandemic (without access to a physiotherapist) my MS has taken a drastic turn for the worse. Unfortunately now my hands and arms hardly work. As a result I am reluctant to take on anything that requires manual dexterity. I have been looking on the Internet at some Raspberry Pi based streamers.Unfortunately the reviews have been a little mixed for use with high quality Hi-Fi systems. I’m not sure what to think! Perhaps those of you who use them can you give me advice, especially if you are using one with an Apple computer. Hope you’re well. Phil ------------- 'You are, through your soul not your body, a human being.' |
Posted By: msphil
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 3:38pm
[QUOTE=ICL1P]Hi Phil, I hope you’re keeping well. The Raspberry Pi option only requires two things to be pushed together and put in a case. The software is on a miniSD card inserted in the Pi. If pouring the birds together is the problem, I’m sure one of us could do it for you. https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/bundles/hifiberry-digi-bundle-4/ - https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/bundles/hifiberry-digi-bundle-4/ f [QUOTE/] Hi I haven’t been on the forum for quite some time. Mainly because after being in hospital for two weeks at the start of the pandemic (without access to a physiotherapist) my MS has taken a drastic turn for the worse. Unfortunately now my hands and arms hardly work. As a result I am reluctant to take on anything that requires manual dexterity. I have been looking on the Internet at some Raspberry Pi based streamers.Unfortunately the reviews have been a little mixed for use with high quality Hi-Fi systems. I’m not sure what to think! Perhaps those of you who use them can you give me advice, especially if you are using one with an Apple computer. Thanks for your offer of help. Hope you’re well. Phil ------------- 'You are, through your soul not your body, a human being.' |
Posted By: msphil
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 3:44pm
[QUOTE=ICL1P]Hi Phil, I hope you’re keeping well. The Raspberry Pi option only requires two things to be pushed together and put in a case. The software is on a miniSD card inserted in the Pi. If pouring the birds together is the problem, I’m sure one of us could do it for you. https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/bundles/hifiberry-digi-bundle-4/ - https://www.hifiberry.com/shop/bundles/hifiberry-digi-bundle-4/ f [QUOTE/] Hi I haven’t been on the forum for quite some time. Mainly because after being in hospital for two weeks at the start of the pandemic (without access to a physiotherapist) my MS has taken a drastic turn for the worse. Unfortunately now my hands and arms hardly work. As a result I am reluctant to take on anything that requires manual dexterity. I have been looking on the Internet at some Raspberry Pi based streamers.Unfortunately the reviews have been a little mixed for use with high quality Hi-Fi systems. I’m not sure what to think! Perhaps those of you who use them can you give me advice, especially if you are using one with an Apple computer. Thanks for your offer of help. Hope you’re well. Phil ------------- 'You are, through your soul not your body, a human being.' |
Posted By: ICL1P
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 4:56pm
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Sorry to hear that Phil. We only have Apple computers in the house, but they are not normally used in conjunction with the two Raspberry Pis I have. My music files (mainly ALAC, but some FLAC and some MP3) are all on a Drobo NAS which the Pis talk to across the network. One Pi runs Volumio software and the other MoOde. The one running MoOde is coupled with a HiFiBerry Digi which is connected to my Majestic via SPDIF. Instead of having the music files on the NAS they could be on a USB HDD attached directly to the Pi. Alternatively they could all be in iTunes and sent to the Pi by AirPlay. Control is all via a browser interface on iPhone, iPad or Mac. Volumio actually has an app for iPhone/iPad. ------------- Ifor ===== Reflex M & ACCESSION M, CuSat50, Majestic DAC, a Proprius pair. |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 6:03pm
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Phil, I use Foobar 2000 to play flac/wav/mp3 files off my Windows 10 desktop using a S/PDIF sound card to optical cable, to Majestic. There is now a Foobar 2000 for Mac ( https://www.foobar2000.org/mac - https://www.foobar2000.org/mac ) if that helps? I also asked John and Leo for their ideas too. ------------- That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 6:13pm
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Hi Phil, it was good to speak recently but bad news about your health. I used Roon on my PC with a long coax cable to my Majestic, good sound. I got a second hand Roon Nucleus and connect it to my Majestic by USB if that helps. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 8:02pm
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There are so many ways of doing the same thing. If you need assistance with any Raspberry Pi assemblies, this is something I can do. I love playing with small intricate single board computers. Like Graham, I use a 5V powered S/PDIF (coax) PCIe soundcard with my Windows computer but I am gradually trying out the streamer route too to see if sound can be improved any further. I think a browser-controlled sound transport might be the way forward  ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: jwatson
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2022 at 5:17am
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This article describes some fixes for getting LMS running on a Mac Mini after an upgrade from Mojave to Monterey. Most of the fixes appear to be related to file permissions preventing the file scanner from running; https://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?115521-Fixing-LMS-issues-with-Mac-OS-Upgrade-from-Mojave-to-Monterey- - https://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?115521-Fixing-LMS-issues-with-Mac-OS-Upgrade-from-Mojave-to-Monterey- (and-Big-Sur-Catalina) ------------- "I bought some more old vinyl today 'cos old vinyl won't ever let you down" Majestic DAC -> {Proprius -> Tannoy Stirling | Solo UL -> HD820} |
Posted By: Chris Firth
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2022 at 8:15am
Well spotted! I suspected it might be a permissions based issue, but as always, it takes time for things to become untangled. It looks like the Squeezebox Touch can live on.....
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Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2022 at 9:03am
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Forgive me guys for putting my size 11s into this, but if I'm not mistaken Phil might have difficulty dealing with any of our suggestions - and James' suggestion could be THE answer. Last time I saw Phil I was impressed in how he was dealing with his life, and since then, in Phil's own words, he's not as well as he was. What Phil really needs is somebody to go round there and fix it for him. I wish I could but I struggle to keep my own (non Mac) computer system working, and my physical problems limit me in what I can do. Is there anybody within striking distance of Chesterfield able to nip round and help him with this? (Phil's the one elevated between Ash and me in the photo second from the left) ------------- That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2022 at 9:09am
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Pre-2020 Macs are x86. Post-2020 Macs are ARM. I assume Logitech Media Server can be used with either ISA. ------------- We do not see things as they are. We see things as we are. |
Posted By: Chris Firth
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2022 at 9:20am
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I haven't got a clue with Mac OS - it's been Windoze all the way on my computer journey. All I know is that every time Apple bring out a new OS something breaks, and usually it's permissions (or lack of) that breaks things. Once the relevant permissions are found and given things usually go back to normal. |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2022 at 7:02pm
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Graham is right. If I knew about Macs I would have been down to Phil already. Can anyone help our friend please? ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 1:44pm
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Phil, I've just caught up with this thread . . . I had similar problems with LMS, and thanks to Jon got turned on to Roon. I have the Roon core running on my Mac mini, and it can use Squeezebox devices (I have a Touch and a Classic) as endpoints. Roon makes LMS seem pretty antiquated and good as the iPeng app was, the Roon apps definitely have the edge. The only downside is that unlike LMS Roon isn't free. ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 4:43pm
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Phil - have a look https://help.roonlabs.com/portal/en/kb/articles/squeezebox-setup#Getting_Started - here at how to set up Squeezeboxes within Roon. ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |
Posted By: msphil
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 5:25pm
Thanks very much Bob. Very useful! ------------- 'You are, through your soul not your body, a human being.' |
Posted By: Ernie
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2022 at 8:54pm
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I’ll Roon especially now there is Roon Arc so you can take your music with you. ------------- There are 10 kinds of people. Those who understand binary and those who don't. |
Posted By: msphil
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2022 at 5:30pm
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Hi all,
Re: Squeezebox problem. I’m feeling really guilty for taking so long to thank everyone who took the trouble to help me when my Squeezebox Touch no longer allowed me to stream my music. I was really touched that so many of you took the time and trouble to convey your suggestions, advice and offers of help about how I might resolve the issue. Having tried the BluSound Node I sent it back as it just didn’t work for me. Now, on the advice from various members I have the Roon app on my iMac and it sounds really good. It allows me to still use my Squeezebox Touch’s as streamers without the Logitech Media server and so far I’m happy with how things sound. Merry Christmas to Graham, John C, Jon, Bob and all members of the forum. May 2023 be a great year for you all. Regards Phil ------------- 'You are, through your soul not your body, a human being.' |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2022 at 6:00pm
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Well done Phil and merry christmas. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: Ernie
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2022 at 6:21pm
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Good choice. Have a great Xmas. Chris ------------- There are 10 kinds of people. Those who understand binary and those who don't. |
Posted By: morris_minor
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2022 at 4:28pm
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Hi Phil. It's great you have your Squeezebox system sorted. I hope you have a great Christmas! ------------- Bob Majestic DAC/pre-amp Accession MC/Enigma, Accession MM, Reflex M, Elevator EXP, Era Gold V Solo ULDE, Novo, Lautus USB and digital, Libran balanced, CuSat50 2 x Proprius + Spatia/Spatia Links |