JemHayward
pfm Member
Starting a thread to gather together information on streaming devices that are compatible with the Squeezebox system, which seems to be popular around here. Hopefully this can act as a resource for anyone trying to wade through the morass of information and mis-information about the Squeezebox system, and its future, if it has one.
Logitech bought the system from its original developers who had the good sense and community spirit to make the software open source, and it is (relatively) easy for clever programmers to extend, modify and port the system to new hardware.
There are two parts to the system:
The server, which is now called Logitech Media Server (LMS) and unlike a UPnP type of server, this also controls the clients, and it also manages things like synchronisation, and downsampling, if needed. It supports the concept of plug ins, and there are many to choose from.
The client software - this is available to run on Windows, Mac OSX, Linux and a specific Linux unit, known as the Squeezebox Touch, which was the final, and probably the best, hardware player made by Logitech.
As far as I know, there is only one LMS (apart from platform variations) and I'm not aware of anyone doing alternative server software. It would appear that Logitech are still distributing LMS, and even maybe updating it too.
For those who want to connect a Squeezebox to their HiFi there are a few alternatives. I'm going to split these into streamers with a digital output, and devices with a built in DAC, that then connects to your system in the analogue domain (I'll call them complete players).
Complete Players, available new.
I'm not aware of any at the moment.
Complete Players, available used.
Squeezebox Touch (SBT) - probably the latest and greatest, as it seems to have a half decent built in DAC and can handle up to 24/96
Transporter - much more expensive full width hifi component type of player, also 24/96 and apparently sounds ok.
Duet - a player without display but usually paired with a snazzy remote control, but limited, I think, to 16/44.1
Squeexebox "classic" - similar form factor to the touch, but the display is less "graphical" and limited to 16/44.1
There is also a project to create a "Community Squeezebox" which will be a complete player, based on a readily available computing platform - lots of info can be found here:
http://www.communitysqueeze.org/faq.jsp
Streamers:
All the above can be used with external DACs, so can be used as a streamer, and the SBT is bit-perfect if the volume control is set at max, and can, via the third-party "Triode" plugin, support 24/96 via USB, and higher sample rates via SPDIF.
I've recently found the snazzily titled "SOtM Mini Server sMS-100" made by Simple Design (http://www.sonore.us/SOtM1.html) in the USA and despite its rather confusing title, it would appear to be a neat little linux computer running the Squeezebox software, but with hardware that supports up to 24/384 playback via USB - so a pure streamer, ready to connect to your USB DAC. Sold in the uk by Item.
There must be others.... anyone?
Squeezeplay is the software that runs on client devices and has been run on Windows, Mac, Linux and devices such as the O2 Joggler, and headless devices like Raspberry Pi, and others.
So, you can get into the Squeezebox world from any PC, just connect it to your DAC - or if it has a soundcard, directly to your amp, and off you go.
I think its safe to say there are plenty of people out there who are keen to keep the Squeezebox paradigm alive and it would seem it is at least as good as any other streaming system at getting the data to your DAC in a timely and accurate fashion.
Logitech bought the system from its original developers who had the good sense and community spirit to make the software open source, and it is (relatively) easy for clever programmers to extend, modify and port the system to new hardware.
There are two parts to the system:
The server, which is now called Logitech Media Server (LMS) and unlike a UPnP type of server, this also controls the clients, and it also manages things like synchronisation, and downsampling, if needed. It supports the concept of plug ins, and there are many to choose from.
The client software - this is available to run on Windows, Mac OSX, Linux and a specific Linux unit, known as the Squeezebox Touch, which was the final, and probably the best, hardware player made by Logitech.
As far as I know, there is only one LMS (apart from platform variations) and I'm not aware of anyone doing alternative server software. It would appear that Logitech are still distributing LMS, and even maybe updating it too.
For those who want to connect a Squeezebox to their HiFi there are a few alternatives. I'm going to split these into streamers with a digital output, and devices with a built in DAC, that then connects to your system in the analogue domain (I'll call them complete players).
Complete Players, available new.
I'm not aware of any at the moment.
Complete Players, available used.
Squeezebox Touch (SBT) - probably the latest and greatest, as it seems to have a half decent built in DAC and can handle up to 24/96
Transporter - much more expensive full width hifi component type of player, also 24/96 and apparently sounds ok.
Duet - a player without display but usually paired with a snazzy remote control, but limited, I think, to 16/44.1
Squeexebox "classic" - similar form factor to the touch, but the display is less "graphical" and limited to 16/44.1
There is also a project to create a "Community Squeezebox" which will be a complete player, based on a readily available computing platform - lots of info can be found here:
http://www.communitysqueeze.org/faq.jsp
Streamers:
All the above can be used with external DACs, so can be used as a streamer, and the SBT is bit-perfect if the volume control is set at max, and can, via the third-party "Triode" plugin, support 24/96 via USB, and higher sample rates via SPDIF.
I've recently found the snazzily titled "SOtM Mini Server sMS-100" made by Simple Design (http://www.sonore.us/SOtM1.html) in the USA and despite its rather confusing title, it would appear to be a neat little linux computer running the Squeezebox software, but with hardware that supports up to 24/384 playback via USB - so a pure streamer, ready to connect to your USB DAC. Sold in the uk by Item.
There must be others.... anyone?
Squeezeplay is the software that runs on client devices and has been run on Windows, Mac, Linux and devices such as the O2 Joggler, and headless devices like Raspberry Pi, and others.
So, you can get into the Squeezebox world from any PC, just connect it to your DAC - or if it has a soundcard, directly to your amp, and off you go.
I think its safe to say there are plenty of people out there who are keen to keep the Squeezebox paradigm alive and it would seem it is at least as good as any other streaming system at getting the data to your DAC in a timely and accurate fashion.