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Ok I'm gonna bitch! So I WAS looking to see if I could upgrade my source - a network streaming server. That takes internet radio stations directly off your router, uses it's own DAC and there ya go - Bob's your uncle.
So I looked at about 20 or so devices. Holy Crap! one was more complicated than the next AND BOASTING about it. Using third party software, MULTIPLE!!!!! wireless connections, those ever popular two buttons that control every function and instructions that read like your're setting up the first wireless connection in history.
Realizing the maze of problematic software updates (don't forget the outdates!), your dependence on the "good will of some companies - wink wink" and how they could render that device a door stop at any second. After all that WHY would anyone want to give themselves such a hard time to simply play a digital file or stream a radio station - WHY?
And I was looking at some preamps. When you start googling complaints that a firmware updates "screwed up" my preamp, something went very wrong in audio. And WHY would I want to use my iphone to remotely operate my stereo from another country - please tell an old man why.
I was going to buy myself something. Not anymore!!! I'm trying to simplify my life. Not make turning on my stereo a guessing game if it's going to work or not because of software problems. I have Windows 10 for that.
Follow Ups:
And my job includes paying attention to all trends in hacking software systems. Kal was 100% correct in relying on a computer as a processing platform.
A decent computer manufacturer will support that platform with the endless stream of patches in response to the latest attack (and that includes software apps from responsible manufacturers). Adding yet another box, with its own operating system and applications to your life is not a good idea.
In the cyber security world that is called expanding your attack surface. The more places you have for a hacker to attack, the more complicated it becomes to keep it secure. Its the old tried and true KISS principle.
If you have a single computer, with its apps, to take care of and keep secure, your chances of staying secure is raised. We are already seeing the chaos being caused from internet enabled devices (called the internet of things or IoT). A recent internet outage was caused by a group of these devices mounting a denial of service attack on DNS servers.
The IoT devices in question were created with a default password included and a list of those passwords were quickly published. In short order the attack was created and we had an internet outage as a result.
If you start adding these streaming boxes/servers, with their OS and apps, you are adding more devices you have to keep patched. No manufacturer can claim otherwise. It just isn't true. What you will be buying is another internet enabled computer and you are placing that device on a network that is likely connected to the internet.
It is an open invitation for another attack. The attack may not effect you directly. At least immediately. Once the malware gets planted in these devices all bets are off, though. Eventually we will be reading about hacks on peoples banking info/credentials caused by streaming devices, music servers, refrigerators, smart thermometers, etc.
Its your life and your dollars. You can opt to add these devices to your life, with the added complexity that comes with the convenience, or you can opt out of that.
Personally, knowing what I know, I stay away from these "smart" devices. The manufacturers who make them are not proving to be security aware and will make mistakes that you will end up paying for.
Just a warning,
Ed
We don't shush around here!
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof
My point WAS just that. Why should I take a device that is streaming directly from my router and make it more complicated.
Here's how the devices work that I was looking at.
You have an app on a iPhone. that app connects to your computers software app. That computer now sends a routed signal to your device. What the f!!!!! Now you have four points of potential trouble. KISS they ain't
Yeah but it won't play any of my files.
?
Look under the hood of your car: anything you can wrench?
I look under my hood of my two cars and yes I would need a wrench and a socket set and a screw driver for the carb. But we are talking 1980 Chevy and 1994 buick just never owned a new car I have always been a 500 dollar man. Someone dies and they just want to get rid of the car low low miles, well kept but they are killing that way of life too. Had to say that Oh and my Dodge dart was sweet.
Kindablues
I can't pay some one to come change my radio station.
Sorry for the insane rant. After reading all those manuals it made me crazy!!!!
I just wanna change the channel not reinvent the wifi.
I agree completely! My digital front end (universal disc player) might benefit from an upgrade, but I can do without the 'learning curve'. It should be obvious how to use (audio) products without reading the instructions!
Dark energy? Ridiculous!
We live in an electric universe.
And WHY would I want to use my iphone to remotely operate my stereo from another country - please tell an old man why.
Well, I don't choose to play content on home systems while out of country, but the ability to quickly access any content using an iPhone or iPad across all my systems while I'm there - is a beautiful thing.
I spend more time listening to music. :)
I have been around as long as most and have come to the conclusion that a PC/Mac with one's choice of software is the solution. Having a somewhat generic platform, and not an audiophile component, frees one from the tyranny of a single supplier, who's survival and future direction is not assured, for firmware/software.
You can start as low as a Raspberry Pi or a NUC if your source material is stereo and of common resolution. If you need more (for me, multichannel and all available resolutions), you need a bigger box but still retain control of your domain.
Being old enough to remember hi-fi and have now lived through, binaural, stereo, am-fm broadcasts, multiplex, reel to reel, solid state electronics, 8 track, cassettes, quadraphonic, ultra low mass tonearms, direct drive turntables, egualizers, DAT, CD's, etc, etc, I'm happy that I resisted most of it except for $7000 of SS "high end" electronics back around 1979 that only confirmed to me that tubes would be around for a long time.In the end I joyfully remain in the vinyl realm with vintage tube equipment/speakers/turntable/cartridge and antenna TV.
A tube Zenith H725 is the kitchen radio, there's a seldom used Pioneer SX-780 in a closet hooked up to NHT in wall speakers and my big adventure into the new world is Pandora Radio through the computer when I'm puttering around the house and I want a long period of Brazilian Beat or Bossa Nova type music.
Life without a remote control for every piece of electronics is possible but the TV remote was indeed a good thing.
IMHO all this digital stuff with wireless capability is a "good enough" compromise for a lot of people and mass sales is the name of the game.
I'm waiting for a cyber attack on all those "automated smart homes."
Edits: 10/29/16
I'm waiting for a cyber attack on all those "automated smart homes."
It happened last week: the DDoS attack that slowed the internet to a crawl for many on the east coast was initiated from malware that has infected the "internet of things", i.e. baby monitors, thermostats, cameras, etc.
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