Vortexbox/Squeezebox vs Music Server?

[sb24]

I have been looking to replace a damaged Yamaha Musiccast (no longer made) music server and was thinking of the Olive 4HD until I learned about the Vortexbox/Logitech combo.* As a total novice and tech illiterate (terms on these forums mean nothing to me)* my question is this.* If I use the Vortexbox for storage of my music collection and stream it through the Logitech Squeezebox, can I connect direct to my Bose stereo system and use as a music server?* Will this bypass my computer, except for downloading purposes, so that it can serve as a freestanding component of my music system?* From an economic standpoint as well as for size of storage, if this is the way I can set this up it would be perfect for what I am looking for.* Any help on this is greatly appreciated.* Thanks.

[Falcon Eddie]

To note, I do not use the vortexbox, yet, connected directly to my music system. I primarily use wifi until I decide which route I will take, if any.

You should be able to connect vortexbox directly to your Bose system. There are no conventional stereo/multichannel connections on the vortexbox. Although, Andrew has*mentioned something about maybe adding a connector for that some time down the road. There*is a single jack or headphone type/size jack*for analogue audio on the back. Some have complained of poor music reproduction at that connection. Some are*using outboard DAC.

The vortexbox is not just a combo for squeezebox either,*fyi. You can use DLNA certified players, Sonos, etc. So, there are many options available for streaming to vortexbox.

Yes, you do not need a computer*online in order to use vortexbox. It will operate freestanding with wifi/ethernet.*

[sb24]

The reason I mentioned the Squeezebox is that the Logitech Transporter seems to be the most like a stereo component, has very good reviews and can connect directly to the stereo and stream from the Vortexbox.* When combined, the two represent a cheaper alternative with greater capacity than the Olive 2TB @ $2499.* If I went for a different streaming component, smaller such as the Squeezebox Touch or the Sonos, it would be less costly yet.* If portability is not an issue, what you are saying is that an intermediate streamer is not necessary, but the sound might be compromised?* Any of the DLNAs mentioned can connect to the Bose and would eliminate that I suppose.* Thanks for walking me through this, it is a big decision and I hadn't considered this option until yesterday and am now leaning towards it.* I appreciate your patience and even more, your simplistic explanations.* Any further help will be gladly accepted.

[Falcon Eddie]

Well, sometimes it is difficult to realize what someone is trying to do, use, say, etc. Looked like you thought the vortexbox was for squeezebox only. If I am reading your post right, yes, there are many choices below that Olive player that will meet your streaming needs at a better cost. Of course, that Olive player is plenty nice though!

Most of these streamers have a multitude of connection options on the back, excluding vortexbox itself. The exception*was the Andrew comment above.

The Transporter is an excellent streamer and uses very nice DACs inside. You would not need a DAC with that player/streamer, I doubt. You would not need one either with the Squeezebox player*as*it*uses DACS inside their boxes; unless, of course you do not like those particular*DAC's sound to begin with. Most of the better streamers have DAC/DSP inside the box.

I use a Denon S-52 as one of my streamers and is DLNA. It uses a DSP and sounds very nice for how small it is. I don't think a high end streamer is going to sound that much different than a low end one. I think the deciding factor is going to be the DAC/DSP used. Only consideration being included DACs or DSP processors may be a preference.

Most of this stuff is preferential anyways. If your BOSE system has a DSP or DACS inside that box, all the better. I think it is safe to say most people are getting relatively good sound quality with what they are using.

[Ron Olsen]

sb24 said:


I have been looking to replace a damaged Yamaha Musiccast (no longer made) music server and was thinking of the Olive 4HD until I learned about the Vortexbox/Logitech combo.* As a total novice and tech illiterate (terms on these forums mean nothing to me)* my question is this.* If I use the Vortexbox for storage of my music collection and stream it through the Logitech Squeezebox, can I connect direct to my Bose stereo system and use as a music server?*


Yes:

1. Connect the VortexBox to your router with an Ethernet cable.

2. Place the Logitech SqueezeBox next to your Bose stereo system.

3.*Connect the Logitech Squeezebox to your router with an Ethernet cable (best), an Ethernet homeplug (good), or WiFi (OK).

4. Use the analog outputs of the SqueezeBox as inputs to your Bose system.


Will this bypass my computer, except for downloading purposes, so that it can serve as a freestanding component of my music system?*


Yes.


From an economic standpoint as well as for size of storage, if this is the way I can set this up it would be perfect for what I am looking for.* Any help on this is greatly appreciated.* Thanks.

[sb24]

I thought the Logitech/Vortexbox combo would work like this:* use the Vortexbox for storage and let the Squeezebox stream the music to the Bose, or any other system I might choose.* My previous Yamaha was strictly a stereo component, 1TB that hooked up directly to the system.* Since all I have now is a 300-disc changer, I want to download as much as I can to the Vortexbox, and access it through the Logitech into my Bose.* I assumed this was the logical sequence and would fill the requirements I am looking to do.* While the Olive would solve this in one step, from what I know about it, it only downloads entire CDs and doesn't allow editing of songs, and with many CDs I own, there would be some duplication of songs which I'd like to avoid.* Also, since my Yamaha was damaged in a flood and is an insurance replacement, I'm not sure they will cover the entire cost of $2500 and this is a more economical option.

[Ron Olsen]

sb24 said:


The reason I mentioned the Squeezebox is that the Logitech Transporter seems to be the most like a stereo component, has very good reviews and can connect directly to the stereo and stream from the Vortexbox.* When combined, the two represent a cheaper alternative with greater capacity than the Olive 2TB @ $2499.*


The Logitech Transporter is an excellent device. I have two of them in my home music system. *The Logitech SB Touch is quite good at a much lower price than the Transporter. But if you can afford a Transporter, go for it. *You won't be disappointed. Excellent sound quality.


If I went for a different streaming component, smaller such as the Squeezebox Touch or the Sonos, it would be less costly yet.* If portability is not an issue, what you are saying is that an intermediate streamer is not necessary, but the sound might be compromised?* Any of the DLNAs mentioned can connect to the Bose and would eliminate that I suppose.*


Using SqueezeBox Server provides a much nicer interface than using a DLNA server for serving music. You can create playlists, access Internet music sources, browse and search your music library by artist, album, genre, etc. with SBS. SBS plugins provide access to song lyrics, artist biographies, and many more features.


Thanks for walking me through this, it is a big decision and I hadn't considered this option until yesterday and am now leaning towards it.* I appreciate your patience and even more, your simplistic explanations.* Any further help will be gladly accepted.

[andrew]

sb24 said:


I thought the Logitech/Vortexbox combo would work like this:* use the Vortexbox for storage and let the Squeezebox stream the music to the Bose, or any other system I might choose.* My previous Yamaha was strictly a stereo component, 1TB that hooked up directly to the system.* Since all I have now is a 300-disc changer, I want to download as much as I can to the Vortexbox, and access it through the Logitech into my Bose.* I assumed this was the logical sequence and would fill the requirements I am looking to do.* While the Olive would solve this in one step, from what I know about it, it only downloads entire CDs and doesn't allow editing of songs, and with many CDs I own, there would be some duplication of songs which I'd like to avoid.* Also, since my Yamaha was damaged in a flood and is an insurance replacement, I'm not sure they will cover the entire cost of $2500 and this is a more economical option.


Sound like a good setup. It will have some advantages over your old system. You can put the VortexBox in another room so you don't have a spinning drive in your listening room. You can easilly edit and remove tracks or add other digital music that you already have.

[Falcon Eddie]

That is not true what Ron said about DLNA streamers. They are just as functional, if not more, than the squeezebox. The list of things he said all can be accomplished just as easy or even easier and more reliable than the Squeezebox. This/he proves he does not*know everything.

I on the other hand am not disparaging squeezebox in favor of DLNA or Sonos or other product but…*

To be fair, you need to be aware of the problems SBS and squeezebox have, especially as of late. The software is consistently buggy and it looks like that is not going to change anytime soon. These are problems that take away from the experience. It gets old fast after awhile with the bugs and audio dropouts.

I have 2 duet systems so I do know what is happening. I do not have software bugs and streaming dropouts with DLNA and this is the reason I am probably going to move away from the Squeezebox line and into something else like Sonos or DLNA because I do not like the interuptions. Even Andrew mentioned to me in a post one time that the Sonos does not have the problems the Squeezebox has on a recurring basis.

If this does not concern you that is fine, but it is something you should be aware of. The shortcoming is not with the squeezebox hardware, but with the upgrades. These kind of things do not happen AT ALL with DLNA and as far as Andrew mentioned Sonos either.

Here are a couple of examples of new products as of late from Denon, Pioneer Elite, and Teac. There are many other options and it is worth looking into to get the right product.

http://usa.denon.com/us/produc.....06bf6a9c86

http://www.twice.com/article/4.....evices.php

http://translate.google.com/tr.....werk.shtml

http://www.teac.eu/hifi-audio/.....streaming/

[hifihere]

Thanks for the streamer update.* The Denon is sweet!