emerson
All-Pro
- Location
- Maritimes, eh?
- Name
- David
Hi, everyone. I know there are some audio enthusiasts here, so here goes.
My name is David, and I’m an audio Luddite. [response: Hi, David…] I need your help.
I have an older 2-channel system I like [NAD receiver and CDP, Canton sub/sat speakers] but I would like to move from CDs to playing digital files. I find that I am only accessing a portion of my CD collection, and I think the convenience of streaming would encourage me to listen to wider range of my music. I have yet to find any gear with sound I prefer more, so I would prefer to keep the components I already have in place.
I have a home wifi network in place.
Preliminary research has left me more confused than when I started. So I am turning to the forum for some guidance and suggestions. Please, speak slowly and in really simple words. Seriously, I can’t even keep the terminology straight. <g>
I get the ripping and lossless files. NAS I get, sort of. But I think what I need are specific hardware recommendations, and an overall blueprint.
Here are the parameters that will influence my decision making:
a] It needs to be affordable. I have other pressing financial priorities, like a bunch of kids who expect food and shelter every day. And cameras.
b] Simple is good. By this, I mean easy to operate and maintain, minimum number of components, as few wires as practical. Spouse-friendly would be a big plus.
c] I would like it to be discrete. Big PCs with noisy fans, monitors, etc are unwelcome.
d] I’d like to operate with a remote, not a tablet or computer. I get enough of that stuff all day.
e] I’d like to do this change one, not every time tech changes. I’m 25 years+ on the current system, so you get the idea.
f] I don’t want to lock in to a customer-client relationship, such as Spotify. I like owning my media and locally storing my own files.
g] I may want to stream music to other parts of the house, but we can get to that once this first issue is squared away.
Basically, I want the equivalent of a 500+ CD jukebox, without the big component and all the associated noise. Basically a Squeezebox, if it still existed. I can't imagine I am the only one looking to move this way, but I don't see [current] threads on this question on audio fora.
Ideas?
Thanks.
My name is David, and I’m an audio Luddite. [response: Hi, David…] I need your help.
I have an older 2-channel system I like [NAD receiver and CDP, Canton sub/sat speakers] but I would like to move from CDs to playing digital files. I find that I am only accessing a portion of my CD collection, and I think the convenience of streaming would encourage me to listen to wider range of my music. I have yet to find any gear with sound I prefer more, so I would prefer to keep the components I already have in place.
I have a home wifi network in place.
Preliminary research has left me more confused than when I started. So I am turning to the forum for some guidance and suggestions. Please, speak slowly and in really simple words. Seriously, I can’t even keep the terminology straight. <g>
I get the ripping and lossless files. NAS I get, sort of. But I think what I need are specific hardware recommendations, and an overall blueprint.
Here are the parameters that will influence my decision making:
a] It needs to be affordable. I have other pressing financial priorities, like a bunch of kids who expect food and shelter every day. And cameras.
b] Simple is good. By this, I mean easy to operate and maintain, minimum number of components, as few wires as practical. Spouse-friendly would be a big plus.
c] I would like it to be discrete. Big PCs with noisy fans, monitors, etc are unwelcome.
d] I’d like to operate with a remote, not a tablet or computer. I get enough of that stuff all day.
e] I’d like to do this change one, not every time tech changes. I’m 25 years+ on the current system, so you get the idea.
f] I don’t want to lock in to a customer-client relationship, such as Spotify. I like owning my media and locally storing my own files.
g] I may want to stream music to other parts of the house, but we can get to that once this first issue is squared away.
Basically, I want the equivalent of a 500+ CD jukebox, without the big component and all the associated noise. Basically a Squeezebox, if it still existed. I can't imagine I am the only one looking to move this way, but I don't see [current] threads on this question on audio fora.
Ideas?
Thanks.