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Computer Audio Asylum Music servers and other computer based digital audio technologies. |
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In Reply to: Re: Considering Squeezebox -- Please help posted by richs on September 5, 2005 at 18:06:22:
Why do you want to use NAS? If you have to have the computer on anyway you might as well put the money towards a bigger hard drive.I've been doing a lot of research into using NAS with and SB2. You can purchase a Linksys NSLU2 NAS slug, modify the hell out of its firmware, and run the SB2 client on it. Then you hang a USB HD off the back of it and you no longer need a computer. I must warn you that you need to be computer savvy to do this. The benefit of this is that it's small, quite and relatively inexpensive; under $500 even with a 500GB drive.
There is also the option of using the Infrant ReadyNAS 600. Infrant supplies a version of the SB2 client that easily installs on the ReadyNAS. If your dead set on using NAS, this is most likely the easiest route. However, your looking at somewhere between $900-$1500 depending on hard drive configuration.
There is also the Buffalo Terrastation, another NAS solution that will run the SB2 client. I can't really comment on the Terrastation other than the price is just a little less than the ReadyNAS 600.
If you’re going to spend upwards of $1000 for NAS, then you might as well buy a PC. Some options include the above mentioned entry level Dell or a Mac. If you want to place the computer near your stereo, then you could go with a Mac Mini; dead silent except when doing real intensive stuff. There are also small and quite Windows solutions such as computers from Hush technologies. Or, you can look into Nano-itx solutions. BTW - the Mac Mini uses a nano-itx mainboard. If you go the Mac Mini or Itx routes then you’re going to be looking at USB external HD’s if you need lots of space for your music library.
Now, as far as library size and the SB2 goes, once you get above 300-400 CD's it starts to become a pain to use the supplied remote to access your music library. There are a number of easy solutions to overcome this. If the computer is in the listening area, then just control the SB2 from it. If your PC is located in another room, then you can use a WiFi PDA to control the SB2 using the handheld skin. I recently picked up a Dell Axim X30 WiFi PDA on EBay NIB for $137.50. I can tell you that the Axim makes it such a joy to navigate through the 900+ CD's on my HD.
You had mention that you were concerned about the sound quality of the SB2. I was also skeptical about its sound quality even after reading all the positive reviews from both professionals and end users. After all, I didn't know anything about their systems, room setup or how good they can hear. I only trust my own hearing and take every review with a grain of salt no matter who the reviewer is. I lamented over purchasing the SB2 for months before taking the plunge. I can tell you that the stock SB2, using lossless, is good. Not the last word in sound quality, but certainly a lot better than the $300 price tag would lead you to believe. I would think that most people would be happy with its sound quality.
I recently had my SB2 modded by Bolder Cable. The modded SB2 is light years better than the stock unit; more bass, better soundstage and an oh so smooth midrange.
I also compared the SB2 using both wired and wireless. I did not hear any difference between the two. However, my SB2 is only about 15-20 foot from my WiFi router and the signal strength is always above 90%. You have to remember that computer data is transmitting over WiFi and it has to be bit perfect. Also, error correction is used on WiFi and wired network connections. If there is an error in a packet, it is thrown away, and the packet is resent. I've had no problems with dropouts.
Another benefit of the SB2 client is that you can use a program called Softsqueeze to stream you music to other computers on your network or even over the internet. I use softsqueeze to stream my library to other computers in my home; a mix of PC's and Macs.
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- Re: Considering Squeezebox -- Please help - prpixel 09/5/0519:59:44 09/5/05 (0)
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