Setting up a sonos system

[admin_exported]

Hello guys,

I don't know if I am in the right section but anyway...
I want to set up a very simple wireless system at my parents'house who are not very techi.
They have an ipad 2, a hifi system in the living room and a wifi network.
I was thinking that this might work:
Sonos Connect + ipad2 + timecapsule + FLAC
They also have an old desktop that I could map to the timecapsule to transfer CDs to FLAC using EAC.

What are the experts thinking?
Is there a cheaper and as user-friendly alternative?

 

[Lee H]

Cheaper? Yes, undoubtedly. Squeezebox for example.

As user friendly? No, well, in my opinion anyway.

 

[scene]

Sonos + iPad 2 as controller will give them a very easy system to set up and use. If the wi-fi router isn't next/near to the hi fi, you'll need a Bridge as well as a Connect - a minor inconvenience. They'll be able to extend the network easily (kitchen, bedroom, etc) with Play:3/5s - which is nice.

On the EAC / FLAC route and ripping. Usual issue with Sonos is the artwork. Does EAC create the artwork as JPG in the data directory, if not it all gets a bit fiddly. As you're talking simplicity, might want to consider iTunes + ALAC as well, as very easy to configure to auto-rip when a CD is put in the drive of the old desktop, there is a program that can be scheduled to run to populate artwork from iTunes folder to NAS folder. Also iTunes will allow the music to be ripped (probably need to use the transcode option) to the iPad 2, so that your parents have the option to listen to the music on the iPad away from home...

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advices, I wanted to go with FLAC because I already ripped quite a few CD in that format for my own use but I guess I can find something to convert them back to ALAC. As for the artworks, I'll look for their formats tonight.

Thanks again!

 

[Lee H]

Mine are in FLAC and I get the artwork. Something like mediamonkey can embed it on each album for you. If you've already started down the FLAC road you may as well stay on it, unless as Scene says, you want to add them to an iDevice later.

 

[scene]

Mine are in FLAC and I get the artwork. Something like mediamonkey can embed it on each album for you. If you've already started down the FLAC road you may as well stay on it, unless as Scene says, you want to add them to an iDevice later.

+1 on FLAC, if you're already on that route.

I just offered up the iRoute as an alternative, with reasons...

 

[DJEPSON]

SCENE - what is the program to populate the NAS with artwork, I have got a Seagate Goflex and currently my iTunes library which I copied across has no artwork, thanks

 

[scene]

SCENE - what is the program to populate the NAS with artwork, I have got a Seagate Goflex and currently my iTunes library which I copied across has no artwork, thanks

Hi - the method I was referring to was the one highlighted on the SONOS support site - here

- This works with iTunes up to 10.1 (it's been updated a couple of times - used to only work with iTunes 5/6)

 

[michael hoy]

Thanks for the advices, I wanted to go with FLAC because I already ripped quite a few CD in that format for my own use but I guess I can find something to convert them back to ALAC. As for the artworks, I'll look for their formats tonight.

Thanks again!

dbpoweramp works very well, rip to various formats in one go and embeds the artwork.

 

[amcluesent]

>What are the experts thinking?<

The Timecapsule is awful as anything other than a backup unit fo Macs. Making into into a music server is a long, hard road. Best get a NAS designed for the purpose.

 

[The_Lhc]

>What are the experts thinking?<

The Timecapsule is awful as anything other than a backup unit fo Macs. Making into into a music server is a long, hard road. Best get a NAS designed for the purpose.

I tried saying that last time someone asked about using a TC in this way and got batted down for being an idiot. YMMV...

 

[Anonymous]

ok thanks!

which NAS should I get then? any but the TC?

The Vortex Box looks like a good option and easy to use.

 

[The_Lhc]

As far as Sonos is concerned it doesn't really matter, it'll work with any standard CIFS/SMB share.

 

[john1000000boy]

>What are the experts thinking?<

The Timecapsule is awful as anything other than a backup unit fo Macs. Making into into a music server is a long, hard road. Best get a NAS designed for the purpose.

I agree with the above as i bought a time capsule to use as a NAS. Big mistake i only use it for backing upto and as a wifi router in the main system. I have looked about and the synology looks like the daddy imho.