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In Reply to: RE: New streamer from Accustic Arts posted by Sordidman on October 2, 2014 at 09:53:59
"The design of the STREAMER ES is compatible with future possibilities for streaming services (e.g. Spotify®, Deezer® etc.)."
Does that mean it cannot stream Spotify Now? If not , what are they waiting for?
Can this do more than my Squeezebox Touch?
Follow Ups:
But, speculating, - yes and no.
It will have less features, and do less, - but it will sound better: given the right context.
I have been streaming Spotify and similar services to most network audio players that support DLNA and/or Airplay using the following methods:
- Run the Spotify app on your iPhone or iPad and stream via AirPlay
- Stream from Mac OS X via Airplay
- Stream from Windows via DLNA using a virtual soundcard like Jamcast or Linn Songcast (for Linn devices)On Android, I know there are multiple DLNA, Airplay, Chromecast streaming apps available and DLNA support is usually built-in with most devices. I have not looked into all the options for streaming Spotify and other services from an Android devices.
Most network audio players cannot connect to Spotify directly by itself. I think one of the obstacles is that Spotify's Linux client is unsupported. Spotify made an unofficial Linux version available 4 years ago and has continued to release updates for it, but even after all that time it's still just a "preview" and is unsupported. Another obstacle is that Spotify is trying to push their own Spotify Connect protocol.
But with good DLNA and AirPlay support you don't really need the network player itself to support every service internally.
Well, my Squeezebox Touch is over 5 years old and has no trouble streaming Spotify or others. I am also sure that the Touch is a fraction of the price of this 'new' streamer.Also, if your phone can stream Spotify, why do streamers seem to have such a difficult time with Spotify?
The reasons are not technical. Spotify is a proprietary system and they control which apps and hardware devices can access their services. They do provide a software development kit for 3rd parties, but it's restricted to non-commercial use:
Terms of Use
The Libspotify SDK and CocoaLibSpotify are not intended for use in commercial applications or in conjunction with commercial hardware products. By using Spotify developer tools, you accept our Developer Terms of Use.
If you wish to integrate Spotify functionality into a hardware device or software associated with a hardware device, please contact the partner hardware team here before proceeding further.
When Spotify was an up-and-coming new service, they seemed eager to add new client platforms (Squeezebox, Sonos, Boxee, Roku). But then it just seemed to stop. The number of supported devices/platforms is shockingly small and hasn't grown much latety, which is surprising when you consider the number of vendors who would like to add Spotify support. There isn't even a native Windows 8 client or Apple TV client! I don't know the reason, but I suspect they put everyone on hold while they developed Spotify Connect, which is just launching now. If it's not a roaring success and they don't get Spotify on more devices soon, they are going to be left in the dust.
nt
are largely not part of the scope of this.
I really would like it, - but then the main rig is mostly reserved for listening to higher quality formats.
I am speculating, - but I think that Bryston, Sim Audio, Senore, - etc. are just throwing a bone out there on this one, - with the focus on playing back WAV, AIFF, lossless FLAC, from a NAS. Since the quality of IR is so low, - they're focused elsewhere.
They are trying to go beyond the Squeezebox in quality. If there was quality to be had streaming from the Internet, - it might be a different story.
From the link you posted.
"The design of the STREAMER ES is compatible with future possibilities for streaming services (e.g. Spotify®, Deezer® etc.). When a software update is available for the STREAMER ES, the user can implement the update easily by merely pressing a button. The download and installation then takes place automatically."
The model right now is still buying a physical product, dumping it to digital file, - (and possessing those as another collection on an internal hard drive, or NAS drive/server).
As $50K music servers are only starting to be discovered to be inconvenient by the traditional/old school audiophile, folks like you and I are starting to see how ridiculous they are compared to the humble Squeezebox and it's myriad of wonderful swiss-army-knife features.
The Bryston, Mind, and Sonore were the first of these boxes to realize that there should be something in between the squeezebox and a $50K music server. They are working it all out.
The Sonore people are taking the position of more purity, and they're philosophy is to eschew Internet Radio (and I mean IR and Internet Apps) as it is low quality.
From my perspective, - I don't think that it really belongs in my high end rig and I agree. However, - I enjoy it so much, and it would be super convenient to use a comparative illustration to friends: and also for those friends who don't care bugger-all about high=end gear and want me to go out on the Internets and find a song that they're talking about.
Again, - I am likely 95% on your same page as far as the Squeezebox is concerned. (In my opinion), my main rig is mostly for playing SACDs and CD level quality: it's a big step up from the bedroom & kitchen. So, - I have SQ expectations, and want a different experience from it, that the Squeezebox is just inadequate for. If the Sonore ends up being a significant step up from the Bryston or others, - in playing files from the NAS, - I'm going to go with it, regardless of whether or not it can play lo rez streaming from Pandora/Spotify/Soundcloud....
You seemed to imply that the Squeezebox Touch cannot play "CD quality". Correct?I stream my CDs in lossless FLAC format into a quality DAC and it plays beautifully. I have tweaked the SBT with another Power Supply and would not use its internal DAC. But the Squeezebox Touch is definitely Part of my Main Rig. I also stream a lot of Spotify at 320kbps and would not want to bet my money on whether I could tell a difference between this and Lossless Recordings. And a bad lossless recording definitely sounds worse than a great re-mastered Spotify Recording.
The 20 Million Tracks that Spotify has is the Best Source that I have ever used. The Squeezebox Touch is still king for streaming in this regard for me.
Still looking for a "Better Squeezebox Touch" Though !!
Squeezebox Touch is a great device that plays all manner of files excellently. In my case I have AIFF.
I have one NAS drive with nearly 2500 CDs of AIFF files: that it plays without a hiccup....
My MacMini in my main rig sounds better, and I've plugged the Squeezebox with the TeraDak PSU, and compared directly.
And the Mini doesn't sound quite as good as redbook CDs.
So, - in the winter, I'm going to pick up the winner of the Mind/Bryston/Sonore shoot out to replace the Mini. I'm not dumping any more $$$ into commercial computing products, or USB, which is not capable of state of the art performance.
Finally, - it's a bit unreasonable of me, - but I don't want to drop $2000 + re-doing a product that is designed for Email and Internet browsing, and then chuck down another $2000 on an USB cable and interface device in order to use the SPDIF digital input on (what I feel) is one of the best DACs ever made.
With the NAS, & Squeezebox server, I can get all my AIFF files, plus internet radio/pandora/etc in the two most important rooms where Internet radio counts. It's not the highest priority to me to get IR on the main rig. I am not going to choose the Mind (for example) because it does Internet Radio, where the Sonore (might) sound better with my NAS/AIFF and not do IR. For the main system, - I'll choose whichever device plays the AIFF files best, - (and doesn't have USB outs or have a DAC in it).
I agree with you that the Squeezebox is without equal for quality, price, and features. And all 4 of theses transports likely beat the Squeezebox for playing back AIFF/FLAC/WAV files, but they don't do Internet radio, or Internet Apps as well. I want something better than the Squeezebox for AIFF, and don't care about IR, because IR is by nature, - lower quality.
"My MacMini in my main rig sounds better, and I've plugged the Squeezebox with the TeraDak PSU, and compared directly. "
Are you using an external DAC? --- Which DAC do you have? ...... I have had numerous Audiophiles to my place and they cannot tell the diff between my SBT with power supply and External DACs and CDs. And they do not want to 'place money' differentiating between Spotify 320kbs vs. FLAC Files.
Thanks for relating your experiences and info....
I have an APL Universal player with 10 asynchronous DACs per channel and no master clock. So, - I guess I have 20 DACs.
I have a digital, SPDIF coax input on the above. This leaves me in (perhaps) a somewhat unique position of having the exact same DAC to compare CDs with (whatever) comes in through the SPDIF input. (I guess it's possible that the SPDIF input USB IF, & SPDIF cable could be somehow less than for the Mac Mini, and for the Squeezebox, - just the cable.
Differences are heard between redbook CDs, & the MacMini playing AIFF files. (There of course is debate on whether or not differences can be heard between compressed FLAC and AppleLossless vs WAV and AIFF).
In any case, yes, - we consistently hear (negative) differences (again slight) ranked from CDs, MacMini, Squeezebox. Most notably, the bass is a bit deeper, less smooth sounding, and lingers longer with the Mini & more-so with the Squeezebox. The differences are not dramatic, - but are noticeable.
I don't play with Spotify because of their connection to Facebook. I am not sure if I've streamed 320kps live streaming before.
Reviewers have claimed that the Sim Audio Mind sounds better than the Squeezebox, but (from what I've read), it was unclear if they were using an upgraded PSU for the SBT. Also, - Sprezza has the Mind, SBT, and Bryston transports.
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