Hi all, just discovered this forum after seeing Amir on youtube.
This is my first post.
Back in the day things seemed simpler to hook up: Sources/Preamp/Amp/Speakers.
Now there are so many combinations and permutations: Streamers with DACS, without DACS, 'endpoint' this, server that... Jeeez!
A few years ago, I decided to get myself a system after decades of just listening to headphones. I am now wanting to incrementally improve what I have and make it more flexible.
I built an LXmini+2 speaker kit (not that relevant except to say that ) The setup is Chromecast Audio > toslink into MiniDSP (which acts as a DAC and cross overs) > analog outputs into amps>speakers.
Issues:
1/ I use Spotify and the Chromecast only uses 256 KB AAC format, whereby Spotify Connect devices use 320KB Ogg Vorbis. So I think I could avail myself of greater signal quality.
2/ I can't access music on my NAS.
3/ I can't (I don't think) direct the sound from my fancy new OLED TV.
4/ I really value being able to control music directly from my phone, without bluetooth.
I would hate some scroll-input via remote control thing, or having to get up to go over to a touch screen just to skip a track. I don't want to wrestle with a crappy geeky UX. I don't want to have to boot up a laptop just to use a good interface.
The music apps on my phone are great.
5/ Maybe could live without this, but accessing the music on the NAS via home network wifi would be great (cos the music system and the NAS are across the room from one another).
I'd like to replace the Chromecast Audio (gotta keep the miniDSP cos it is also the cross overs for the speakers) with something that preserves the convenience of using a phone, but I'd like to be able to access the music files on the NAS. I'd live without being able to use the TV, but being able to put the TV sound through the system would be really nice.
I am moderately handy and could put together a Pi solution, but would probably pay for an off the shelf solution.
Given I'm coming from a Chromecast Audio 256KB, I don't think I'd need to spend a heap of money to be happy with something better, so I'm thinking $1,500 US or less.
I do hope the brains in this forum can help me out.
Thanks in advance.
This is my first post.
Back in the day things seemed simpler to hook up: Sources/Preamp/Amp/Speakers.
Now there are so many combinations and permutations: Streamers with DACS, without DACS, 'endpoint' this, server that... Jeeez!
A few years ago, I decided to get myself a system after decades of just listening to headphones. I am now wanting to incrementally improve what I have and make it more flexible.
I built an LXmini+2 speaker kit (not that relevant except to say that ) The setup is Chromecast Audio > toslink into MiniDSP (which acts as a DAC and cross overs) > analog outputs into amps>speakers.
Issues:
1/ I use Spotify and the Chromecast only uses 256 KB AAC format, whereby Spotify Connect devices use 320KB Ogg Vorbis. So I think I could avail myself of greater signal quality.
2/ I can't access music on my NAS.
3/ I can't (I don't think) direct the sound from my fancy new OLED TV.
4/ I really value being able to control music directly from my phone, without bluetooth.
I would hate some scroll-input via remote control thing, or having to get up to go over to a touch screen just to skip a track. I don't want to wrestle with a crappy geeky UX. I don't want to have to boot up a laptop just to use a good interface.
The music apps on my phone are great.
5/ Maybe could live without this, but accessing the music on the NAS via home network wifi would be great (cos the music system and the NAS are across the room from one another).
I'd like to replace the Chromecast Audio (gotta keep the miniDSP cos it is also the cross overs for the speakers) with something that preserves the convenience of using a phone, but I'd like to be able to access the music files on the NAS. I'd live without being able to use the TV, but being able to put the TV sound through the system would be really nice.
I am moderately handy and could put together a Pi solution, but would probably pay for an off the shelf solution.
Given I'm coming from a Chromecast Audio 256KB, I don't think I'd need to spend a heap of money to be happy with something better, so I'm thinking $1,500 US or less.
I do hope the brains in this forum can help me out.
Thanks in advance.