Network audio players(Sonos?)

[edoz]

I'm looking for some sort of network component to funnel music from various sources like Pandora/Spotify and my personal collection on a desktop machine through to my old Marantz receiver. The Sonos Connect looks to fit the bill, but I figured I'd ask some of the cats here if you have any experience with the Sonos or alternatives.

Thoughts?

[foo_fighter]

An alternative and probably the cheapest option is Chromecast Audio. I've not used either one though.

[edoz]

Chromecast Audio is indeed cheaper, but won't come close to doing what I want.

[maunahaole]

Consider getting a Bluetooth to rca adapter as well. Then you can throw from your device to the BT receiver hooked into an aux jack. They are about thirty bucks. I put one on my outside setup, where I have an airport express on one jack and the BT on another. I have found that streaming Netflix movies on to the tv somehow bolloxes up the signal from the Mac to the airport. So I hooked up the BT as plan b.

[edoz]

If it were just my device I were concerned with, I already have a 3.5 to RCA cable that I can plug it into. I have 2 Macs, an iPhone, an Android and a large (450gb) music collection on a desktop PC that all need to go into one set of RCA jacks. I need a wi-fi enabled funnel.

[Dmoeny]

Sonos is nice, works well... plug and play with no drama. Run mine with a nas, Spotify, iPhone and win 10.

[cash]

I use an apple AirPlay device to do basically that same thing. Works great. Seemless. I run a few iPads, MacBook Pros, occasionally stream iPhones ... All through the AirPlay device plugged into a nearly 15 year old receiver.

[Bob Ross]

The only network audio player that's sparked my interest has been the Bryston BDP-2, though I realize that's overkill for most listeners. I'll admit it's hard to top the Sonos for ease of use/integration.

[edoz]

The only network audio player that's sparked my interest has been the Bryston BDP-2, though I realize that's overkill for most listeners. I'll admit it's hard to top the Sonos for ease of use/integration.

The Bryston looks slick, but lack of wi-fi and AAC support kinda knocks it out. Plus, for the price I could buy a Sonos and build out my next frame.

[davids]

The only network audio player that's sparked my interest has been the Bryston BDP-2, though I realize that's overkill for most listeners. I'll admit it's hard to top the Sonos for ease of use/integration.

I'm running the digital output from the Sonos Connect into my DAC, which has inputs for three sources.

I haven't even started trying to tweak the stereo system up in the loft yet, and will admit that right now most of my listening is through the Play:1 speakers sitting on a bookshelf on the first floor. They sound pretty good.

[sailor]

I use an amazon fire tv for spotify connect. It has a toslink output and you can hack android apps onto it. Works fine for me, but you have a wider variety of sources.

[Brandon White]

I use an apple AirPlay device to do basically that same thing. Works great. Seemless. I run a few iPads, MacBook Pros, occasionally stream iPhones ... All through the AirPlay device plugged into a nearly 15 year old receiver.

This is what I've been doing for years now. I have 2 setup for different receivers, one hooked up to outside speaker (or my office) and one for our internal house speakers. We have speakers ran in every room but the kids room though. It's rarely never worked and I can stream from my iphone, ipad or laptops.

[edoz]

The Sonos is a done deal. Nothing else seemed to check all the boxes, and I got to check one out at a local hi-fi shop. It's handling the Lemmy Memorial duties smashingly.



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[giordana93]

Late to the thread (enjoying blizzard in Quebec), but we've been running 4 zones on sonos for over 10 years. No regrets at all. Now that you don't have to buy the controller at $300, the price of entry is even better. The ability to expand and control multiple zones is unmatched. And it sets up its own intranet.

[velomonkey]

I actually came to this internet address to check on this very specific thread.

The fact you got a SONOS "wow - ok, someone will get it" - the fact that you got one and are playing Lemmy "someone gets it." When Prince asked what it's like when Dove's cry - well . . . . . . . .

[sk_tle]

I'm looking for some sort of network component to funnel music from various sources like Pandora/Spotify and my personal collection on a desktop machine through to my old Marantz receiver. The Sonos Connect looks to fit the bill, but I figured I'd ask some of the cats here if you have any experience with the Sonos or alternatives.

Thoughts?

You just need a DAC that also listen to bluetooth.

I recommend the Arcam rblink or miniblink.



Arcam miniBlink review | What Hi-Fi?
Amazon.com: Arcam MINIBLINK Audiophile Bluetooth Music Converter/Streamer: Electronics

[velomonkey]

Sonos is awesome - got 2 speakers myself and they constantly play 16 hours a day. Our number one pandora station we played 27.5k songs in 2015. We start it in the morning and end it at night. The SONOS app is the best - any device connected to the WiFi network means you can access the system - change songs, change stations, change volumes. You can also pair 2 sonos speaker 1 systems into stereo. Love SONOS - the app and the mesh network totally make the system better than anything else out there including apple TV and apple airplay.

I also have 2 receivers in the house with polk speakers - one marantz in the living room and one Integra in my den. Neither are on the SONOS system since 2 connects would outdo my budget. My den is hooked into a good DAC and I just play from my laptop computer. The marantz is connected to apple TV. If you need music playing all the time, I'm talking you leave the house and come back and music is still playing, get the sonos connect. If you have multiple wifi connected devices and take a but more active role in your music then save the cash and get an apple TV - the apple TV has optic out - the apple airplay 35mm. If money is no concern - SONOS connect - just make sure to get the bridge so you have their mesh network.