alistairm Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 I am trying to put together a system to stream Spotify. Currently I use Squeezebox Touches (x3) and control them with iPeng. That works well, but I want a slightly more robust solution for the other members of the family to use. The SBT works just fine for me, but the interface is a little clunky and my family has never really taken to it. Ideally, it would have a touch screen. I am thinking about either a very small computer with a small touch screen, or even perhaps one of the many touch screen laptops that seem to have hit the market. Any suggestions? How would you approach it? Assume USB out into the DAC. Alistair
Captain Crunch Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 Alistair, I have had success using my daughters iPod Touch 4th gen with my Wadia 170i Transport. If you connect the iPod to the Wadia with a long cable, you can even operate this from your armchair. Very user friendly set up! 1
Piya72 Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Alastair, Think that the Spotify PC (and probably Mac) version seems to be far more comprehensive, and more conducive to exploring content than the spotify that you get on the squeezebox itself or the android controllers. Have found myself playing around on the computer, or android tablet, sticking stuff into a playlist, then listening off the squeezebox, into the hifi. The spotify android interface that I have, is pretty much the same as the squeezebox, but more portable, and you can use headphones with it. The way I do it is pretty clunky... and possibly better off plugging the pc into the dac instead, for the better interface. Loads of stuff on the pc app not on the spotify squeezebox. (even language lessons !!) Would love to hear of any better solutions... (eg, is it possible to stream Spotify output from a pc into the squeezebox wirelessly?) Cheers, Piya
wolster Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 (edited) Alistair, having multiple apps for the SBT on both the iPad and Android tablet, I find Squeezepad on the iPad the easiest to use for Spotify. It is still easier to build and modify playlists on the PC due to the restrictions in the SBT Spotify app. Edited January 28, 2014 by wolster
alistairm Posted January 28, 2014 Author Posted January 28, 2014 Thank you all - I was just at the shops looking at the Microsoft Surface, which has USB output and a built in kick stand and wondering if that'll run Spotify properly. Will do some more research!
kramered Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Had a friend's iPad running 30-pin connector to USB and on to AMR DAC. Surprised at how good Spotify sounded. You should try in your main system Al for somewhat of a surprise... Cheers, EK 1
strony Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Spotify also has some cool remotes in the app store mate..I use one for my MBA - which is really good.
jgfisher Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 I find the ipad app very handy and useful- wife has no issues using it. It is a vast improvemet to the iPhone app.
wolster Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 (edited) Spotify also has some cool remotes in the app store mate..I use one for my MBA - which is really good. I find the ipad app very handy and useful- wife has no issues using it. It is a vast improvemet to the iPhone app. As I understand it, Alistair is playing Spotify through a SB Touch. Doesn't that mean he needs a SB Touch app on the iPad or Android tablet to control Spotify, or do I have that wrong. If I could use the Spotify app on the iPad to control the SBT then that would be great, but I doubt it would work. Edited January 28, 2014 by wolster
krebetman Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 I have been hoping for a robust airplay plugin to emerge for the Logitech media server so I could AirPlay from iPads etc. however, all those I have seen on the various forums seem tweaks to install and run.
alistairm Posted January 28, 2014 Author Posted January 28, 2014 Had a friend's iPad running 30-pin connector to USB and on to AMR DAC. Surprised at how good Spotify sounded. You should try in your main system Al for somewhat of a surprise... Cheers, EK Ed - a good idea mate, especially as I have an old iPad I could deploy in that role. I'll give it a whirl. Al
strony Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 As I understand it, Alistair is playing Spotify through a SB Touch. Doesn't that mean he needs a SB Touch app on the iPad or Android tablet to control Spotify, or do I have that wrong. If I could use the Spotify app on the iPad to control the SBT then that would be great, but I doubt it would work. I think Al was looking for an alternative to the SBT - yup the apps work with a computer..
A J Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Think about raspberry pi running Raspyfi and just airplaying to it. ?
SteveC Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Had a friend's iPad running 30-pin connector to USB and on to AMR DAC. Surprised at how good Spotify sounded. You should try in your main system Al for somewhat of a surprise... Cheers, EK You may need the CCK and/or a USB hub to make this work depending on your DAC but yes then you can use the Spotify app or any iPad app to play music.
JCM Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 From iPad or iPhone via Air play to air port express (connected to DAC via toslink) work really well
kramered Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Ed - a good idea mate, especially as I have an old iPad I could deploy in that role. I'll give it a whirl. Al Keen to hear what you think Al. Let me know if you end up trying it.
JCM Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Can also use iPad via USB to DAC using camera connection adapter
Piya72 Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Sorry, I have been telling lies... Spotify Android is a whole lot better than Spotify Squeezebox in terms of functionality - discover, browse and radio are available, and so make the Squeezebox offering look lame.. maybe a bit off topic, I think only recent iterations of Android can output audio to USB. Cheers, piya
krebetman Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Sorry, I have been telling lies... Spotify Android is a whole lot better than Spotify Squeezebox in terms of functionality - discover, browse and radio are available, and so make the Squeezebox offering look lame.. maybe a bit off topic, I think only recent iterations of Android can output audio to USB. Cheers, piya That is true of the 'Official' Squeezebox plugin but the Triode plugin has Radio, Playlists etc. I assume that's what Al has been using? Still not as graphical as the IOS or Mac/PC Spotify app...
alistairm Posted January 28, 2014 Author Posted January 28, 2014 Yes - have been using Triode's. I should say, I am happy with it... for slightly unfathomable reasons the family is not though... will be trying the iPad this week!
strony Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) Buy a Mac Mini and control it headless via a Ipad..?? works for me Edited January 29, 2014 by DrunkenRabbit 1
Chill3 Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 Been trying iPad streaming to Apple TV and Airport Express over the weekend Very good system
jgfisher Posted February 21, 2014 Posted February 21, 2014 Hi Alistair What option did you end up with and are you happy with the sound. Thanks Jon
Guest dr_carl Posted May 14, 2020 Posted May 14, 2020 Easiest solution I found before I bought a streamer was $50 Bluetooth receiver connected to my amp inputs. ON paper should sound bad, in real life was perfectly fine. All my non tech wife had to do was pair her phone and good to go.
Peterbean Posted July 8, 2020 Posted July 8, 2020 Buy a cheap phone or whatever and get a Bluetooth aerial for your stereo and you are fine in fact if every family member has their own device with Spotify on it you don’t need that
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