Which Music Server as Vortexbox replacement.

Belenus

I have had a Vortexbox music server for about 10 years.

It is essentially a modified PC running Fedora Linux. It has no monitor, mouse or keyboard and is controlled via a web interface from my Windows10 laptop. My music is stored in FLAC format on a 1tb disk drive inside the Vortexbox.

It has become unreliable, often refusing to connect to my home network. Some days it connects, some days it just refuses to connect. I don't know or understand Linux so I am unable to analyse the problem. I could attach a keyboard and monitor but I doubt if I would have much idea what to do.

Can anyone suggest something I could do?

Vortexbox appears to be an old and unsupported product so I am looking for something similar to replace it. I want a device that will store and play FLAC files on a standard hard disk and is, like the Vortexbox, controlled via a web interface from my laptop. I don't need the ability to stream internet music as I prefer the CD quality of FLAC files. I don't want or need internet radio or anything else.

Alternatively, is there a diskless player that will play FLAC files streamed from my laptop?

Any advice and suggestions?

Thanks

mluton

Plex Supports FLAC

[Deleted User]

+1 for Plex

The Plexamp app is wonderful for music as well.

Belenus

Please advise me what I need to run Plex. At the moment I am somewhat confused.

I have a Windows10 laptop with all my FLAC files stored on it.

I have a Vortexbox server which also has all my FLAC files on it. It is connected to my home router with an Ethernet cable

I have a Squeezebox Touch connected to my Hi-Fi. It connects wirelessly to my router.

In order to play music I access the Vortexbox from my laptop. I select Squeezebox server from the menu and that brings up a second panel with Logitech Media Server displaying all my music. I choose what I want to play. The Vortexbox sends the music to the Squeezebox Touch and it plays.

Attached are images of what I see on my laptop.

Can I set up the Squeezebox so that it accesses the FLAC files on my laptop rather than via the Vortexbox?

Does Plex run in a similar fashion on a separate box or does it run on my laptop?

FarmerHorse

As you only mention music, a very workable option is to fit the existing HDD into its own enclosure to create a network drive (NAS), then get hold of a Raspberry Pi computer (about £30-£40) and map the new NAS to it as an external drive.

Then install Asset UPnP server software on the Pi. It's free initially so you can try it and see, and cost only about £30 when I bought it a couple of years ago.