Wireless Audio

michaelro

Saw http://www.johnlewis.com/230573757/Product.aspx in JL at the weekend and am quite tempted.

Like the idea of being able to connect to my current hi-fi and stream music around the house via an iPod.

The only sticking point is that I don't own an iPod and would have to buy one (Considering the Touch as it offers more than a standard iPod)

Obviously with all the costs, are there any other systems on the market that any one could recommend as an alternative?

Mattjimf

Link not working, when you click the link icon the web address goes first then what you want to appear in the post.

michaelro

Mattjimf wrote: »

Link not working, when you click the link icon the web address goes first then what you want to appear in the post.

Cheers, link updated, should be working now.

Fifer

I've been using Slim Devices (now part of Logitech) Squeezebox products for donkeys yeats without a problem. The range starts with radio and boom box, via the classic Squeezebox and Duet, all the way up tp the Transporter (expensive, but worth it). You stream music from your PC or NAS (rather than an iPod and can also listen to internet radio and internet streamed music services.

Details here.

ukcarper

Fifer wrote: »

I've been using Slim Devices (now part of Logitech) Squeezebox products for donkeys yeats without a problem. The range starts with radio and boom box, via the classic Squeezebox and Duet, all the way up tp the Transporter (expensive, but worth it). You stream music from your PC or NAS (rather than an iPod and can also listen to internet radio and internet streamed music services.

Details here.

I'd second that got one earlier this year (classic) very pleased with it.
I believe you can stream from itunes on pc with an apple airport express and use touch as remote control.

michaelro

Fifer wrote: »

I've been using Slim Devices (now part of Logitech) Squeezebox products for donkeys yeats without a problem. The range starts with radio and boom box, via the classic Squeezebox and Duet, all the way up tp the Transporter (expensive, but worth it). You stream music from your PC or NAS (rather than an iPod and can also listen to internet radio and internet streamed music services.

Details here.

Not cheap though

Duet = £280 (No Speakers)
Boom or Radio = £150+

So for 3 rooms I'd need to spend £600+ which is getting towards SONOS money...

Plus I have to have my PC on all the time which isn't ideal as I'm planning on getting rid of it to use my laptop (Which I don't want to store music on)

Thanks for the suggestions though - Anyone else?

ukcarper

michaelro wrote: »

Not cheap though

Duet = £280 (No Speakers)
Boom or Radio = £150+

So for 3 rooms I'd need to spend £600+ which is getting towards SONOS money...

Plus I have to have my PC on all the time which isn't ideal as I'm planning on getting rid of it to use my laptop (Which I don't want to store music on)

Thanks for the suggestions though - Anyone else?

Sonos good way to go if you want more rooms I have a fairly good hifi system in lounge so just needed classic £165. You can run squeeze centre on some network storage devices but would add even more to cost.

Fifer

michaelro wrote: »

Not cheap though

Duet = £280 (No Speakers)
Boom or Radio = £150+

So for 3 rooms I'd need to spend £600+ which is getting towards SONOS moneyPlus I have to have my PC on all the time which isn't ideal as I'm planning on getting rid of it to use my laptop (Which I don't want to store music on)

Thanks for the suggestions though - Anyone else?

Actually, for three rooms it's £385 (one duet plus two additional recievers at £75 each) but still more than you want to pay and no speakers. But for less than Sonos money, you do get (IMO) better than SONOS sound quality, functionality and flexibility. If you don't want to leave your PC on all the time, you can use an NAS or listen to internet radio and streaming services.

But there may be cheaper options.

Fifer

ukcarper wrote: »

Sonos good way to go if you want more rooms I have a fairly good hifi system in lounge so just needed classic £165. You can run squeeze centre on some network storage devices but would add even more to cost.

I use a wee miniATX linux box as a music server, which I built for not much more than £100 (bought the parts on eBay) which stays on 24/7 and is very low power. It serves two Squeezeboxen (a 1 and a 2), a Duet and a Transporter.

Marty999

I have a Pinnacle Soundbridge Homemusic device. It's cheap to buy and very good for streaming music wirelessly from my PC and for playing thousands of internet radio stations. There is a good selection currently available on eBay. You just need to buy a set of powered speakers to go with it, about £20 upwards.

michaelro

Thanks for the replies.

Some of the cheaper options appeal, but still require a PC / Server to be on all the time and I need to buy speakers.

Ideally I want something that has it's own built in speaker (reduces cables and power supplies) and has it's own hard drive, or where I can dock an iPod.

I don't own an iPod currently but would consider buying one if required as at least I would get added functionality out of it.