Alternatives to SONOS

[The_Lhc]

I think the pity is that bluesound appear to be using their early customers as alpha testers for a system that clearly isn't ready yet.

 

[The_Lhc]

I think the pity is that bluesound appear to be using their early customers as alpha testers for a system that clearly isn't ready yet.

 

[The_Lhc]

******...

 

[Phileas]

******...

I'm surprised that word's allowed.

 

[Overdose]

I guess some words get through the filter.

Back on topic though,

How about a netbook with SSD? Pick a media player app of your choice that also has a remote app, such as iTunes or XBMC.

 

[ngibbs]

Feel like a bit of a party-pooper here, but I've never rated the Sonos that highly, SQ-wise. Superb functionality: great app, Tune-In radio and Spotify built-in, works straight out of the box etc., etc.. I'm delighted to have it but I don't think it sounds much cop, compared to either my CD player, Macbook Air (iTunes with BitPerfect) or straight out of my NAS via Audio Station. If you don't need mulit-room fucntionality, and can live with a more limited range of radio station than, say, Tune-In can provide, then I'd go for the Synology DS212j with Audio Station. You get both a NAS AND streaming capacity all in one. And it sounds brilliant too! Alternatively get the Sonos for radio and Spotify and the Synology as NAS drive and library streamer.

 

[ngibbs]

I should add that I've read somewhere that both Cyrus DAC XP and Metrum Acoustics Octave are said to be very sensitive to source (and jitter), so that might have something to do with the SONOS not sounding too good. It might well work far better with your DAC

 

[Phileas]

I should add that I've read somewhere that both Cyrus DAC XP and Metrum Acoustics Octave are said to be very sensitive to source (and jitter)

I find that unlikely but, if true, I suggest you replace them with DACs that aren't.

 

[Dan Turner]

I think you could spend a lot of time and energy trying to find an alternative to Sonos and all you would end up with is something less useable and almost certainly not sounding any better (for the sort of budget being discussed, assuming analogue outputs used). If you have a budget system just buy a Connect/ZP90, if you have something a bit more fancy or you're susceptible to audiophile paranoia then buy a Connect + a DAC (if you don't already have one). I guarantee you won't regret it once you start using it.

I am firmly in the camp that believes that if the Sonos does suffer from a bit of jitter on it's digital output then it's way below the threshold of audibility - jitter has to be pretty horrendous to have any effect on, or be audible after passing through, a modern DAC, so it's just not an issue.

I've tried every source in my signature connected via digital into my active speakers plus the CA connected via analogue and playing the same source material (either from disc or from AIFF rip of the same) they sound exactly the same via digital, and with a negligible/possibly imagined difference with the CA via analogue - that tells me all I need to know about the differences between digital sources.

My advice after many years of allowing myself to be taken in by all the audiophile b******t and worring about all this minutia - just buy the Sonos and enjoy!

Dan

 

[The_Lhc]

******...

I'm surprised that word's allowed.

It isn't usually, I was expecting "EDITED"...

 

[bigblue235]

Won't be long 'til the full Pure Jongo range is out. I'm hanging on to see how it compares. I'm using Apple TVs at the mo.

I really want Sonos, just can't bring myself to pay the money for it after using the (much cheaper) Apple stuff.

 

[relocated]

Won't be long 'til the full Pure Jongo range is out. I'm hanging on to see how it compares. I'm using Apple TVs at the mo.

I really want Sonos, just can't bring myself to pay the money for it after using the (much cheaper) Apple stuff.

It's amazing isn't it that a computer company, who are never shy about turning very large profits, can provide a streaming solution for £99. Yet others, particularly hifi companies, seem to need considerably more money. I wonder why that is? :?

 

[stevebrock]

I have an ATV 3 just for my TV but I did one day connect it up to my Rega DAC and was streaming ALAC from my MBP to it and it sounded excellent, for £99 (well mine was £63 used) you can not beat it and I have had no problems with drop outs etc.

Think that ATV is the way to go really, cheaper than the Sonos option.

Why cant someone bring back Squeezebox Touch - I have one in my bedroom with some active speakers - it sounds great!

 

[John Duncan]

Won't be long 'til the full Pure Jongo range is out. I'm hanging on to see how it compares. I'm using Apple TVs at the mo.

I really want Sonos, just can't bring myself to pay the money for it after using the (much cheaper) Apple stuff.

It's amazing isn't it that a computer company, who are never shy about turning very large profits, can provide a streaming solution for £99. Yet others, particularly hifi companies, seem to need considerably more money. I wonder why that is? :?

They probably sell it as a loss leader so they can sell you films at fifteen quid a pop.

 

[stevebrock]

Won't be long 'til the full Pure Jongo range is out. I'm hanging on to see how it compares. I'm using Apple TVs at the mo.

I really want Sonos, just can't bring myself to pay the money for it after using the (much cheaper) Apple stuff.

It's amazing isn't it that a computer company, who are never shy about turning very large profits, can provide a streaming solution for £99. Yet others, particularly hifi companies, seem to need considerably more money. I wonder why that is? :?

They probably sell it as a loss leader so they can sell you films at fifteen quid a pop.

£4.50 last time i looked

 

[daveh75]

The ATV had potential, but has become little more than a wireless dongle for ithings and makes it a failure in my book and probably why it hasn't sold in signifacant numbers ( by Apple stsndard) still has a 'hobby' status.

Its ridiculous that a streamer that's connected to the internet and running a mobile OS needs an iThing or PC running iTunes to make it useful.

 

[stevebrock]

The ATV had potential, but has become little more than a wireless dongle for ithings and makes it a failure in my book and probably why it hasn't sold in signifacant numbers ( by Apple stsndard) still has a 'hobby' status. Its ridiculous that a streamer that's connected to the internet and running a mobile OS needs an iThing or PC running iTunes to make it useful.

I do agree with you - but I soley bought it for watching the odd NEW movie that I wanted to watch when i wanted to watch it - was sick of Lovefilm paying £12 montly to get rubbish I wasnt interrested in

 

[John Duncan]

Won't be long 'til the full Pure Jongo range is out. I'm hanging on to see how it compares. I'm using Apple TVs at the mo.

I really want Sonos, just can't bring myself to pay the money for it after using the (much cheaper) Apple stuff.

It's amazing isn't it that a computer company, who are never shy about turning very large profits, can provide a streaming solution for £99. Yet others, particularly hifi companies, seem to need considerably more money. I wonder why that is? :?

They probably sell it as a loss leader so they can sell you films at fifteen quid a pop.

£4.50 last time i looked

I paid that for a rental, last film I bought was c.£15 I thought...

 

[stevebrock]

I wouldnt ever buy a film off itunes when you can get the Blu ray probably cheaper - I just use it to rent the odd film, if its any good I may buy the Blu Ray when it is reduced on Amazon/Play

 

[Overdose]

Won't be long 'til the full Pure Jongo range is out. I'm hanging on to see how it compares. I'm using Apple TVs at the mo.

I really want Sonos, just can't bring myself to pay the money for it after using the (much cheaper) Apple stuff.

It's amazing isn't it that a computer company, who are never shy about turning very large profits, can provide a streaming solution for £99. Yet others, particularly hifi companies, seem to need considerably more money. I wonder why that is? :?

They probably sell it as a loss leader so they can sell you films at fifteen quid a pop.

But you couldn't level that at the cheaper AEX.

 

[daveh75]

But you couldn't level that at the cheaper AEX.

Actually i think JD may be onto something.

Considering the AEX is even more of a wireless dongle for iThings than the ATV yet there's only £20 between them.

 

[Overdose]

The AEX is a router and print server as well. Not so the ATV.

 

[John Duncan]

Zero Dark Thirty - £13.99 to buy.

 

[John Duncan]

It's amazing isn't it that a computer company, who are never shy about turning very large profits, can provide a streaming solution for £99. Yet others, particularly hifi companies, seem to need considerably more money. I wonder why that is? :?

How much profit do the great altruist Apple make per unit compared to the great rip-off hifi companies, by the way?

 

[stevebrock]

Zero Dark Thirty - £13.99 to buy.

ok and what is your point exactly