Simple Audio Roomplayer

[matthewpiano]

Anyone got any experience of using Simple Audio products? I'm specifically interested in any views on the Roomplayer 2 (without amp) as a source in a decent quality system. It is a route I could be tempted to head down.

 

[davedotco]

Anyone got any experience of using Simple Audio products? I'm specifically interested in any views on the Roomplayer 2 (without amp) as a source in a decent quality system. It is a route I could be tempted to head down.

I have been looking at Bluesound product, specifically the Node for much the same reason.

The Bluesound Node has Spotify Connect, a huge plus for me.

 

[unsleepable]

I have been looking at Bluesound product, specifically the Node for much the same reason.

The Bluesound Node has Spotify Connect, a huge plus for me.

I'm also after something like this.

I've seen the press release regarding Bluesound and Spotify. But in the Node product page they still don't mention Spotify as a "cloud service". Do you know if it is really already available? And any Node will be good for this?

 

[davedotco]

I have been looking at Bluesound product, specifically the Node for much the same reason.

The Bluesound Node has Spotify Connect, a huge plus for me.

I'm also after something like this.

I've seen the press release regarding Bluesound and Spotify. But in the Node product page they still don't mention Spotify as a "cloud service". Do you know if it is really already available? And any Node will be good for this?

Apparently implemented from the first of july, in all models I believe.

I very much like the idea of being able to use the Spotify App to control the node, well when using Spotify anyway, far better than using the Spotify 'page' in, say, the Sonos control app.

Look at the support forums on bluesound.com, very useful. There customer service seems very good, with excellent online support.

 

[matthewpiano]

The node looks good Dave, and its less expensive than the Roomplayer as well. Will investigate further, particularly as it seems to support Qobuz as well as Spotify.

 

[davedotco]

I thought so. Only recently started to look into it as i am a big fan of Spotify Connect.

Next thing is to see if it supports internet radio, a secondary factor for me, but would be useful.

Biggest limitation so far is a lack of Airplay or 'Local' inputs.

 

[matthewpiano]

Dave, the product page for the Node suggests it does support internet radio. http://www.bluesound.com/products/node/

 

[davedotco]

Dave, the product page for the Node suggests it does support internet radio. http://www.bluesound.com/products/node/

I did see that but it is remarkably lacking in detail. More research......*good*

 

[matthewpiano]

Page 33 of the user manual gives the details. It uses TuneIn for the internet radio access.

Node User Manual

 

[unsleepable]

The only thing is the price. At £400, the Node it's noticeably more expensive than the Sonos Connect.

But still, with Spotify Connect and if support of My Music feature is confirmed, it does indeed look very good.

 

[Crocodile]

From what I've seen of a farly long running thread on AVF, the Roomplayer should really have been named Manana. As it seems that everything is WIP. They launched it with the digital outputs disabled bespite the specs to the contrary. Then realised they couldn't make it work so had to launch a Roomplayer II, expecting customers to pay to upgrade. Not checked recently but the only app available was iOS, with the promise of an Android app being imminent. It's been imminent for some two years now...

Not to mention software upgrades that break everything.

 

[davedotco]

From what I've seen of a farly long running thread on AVF, the Roomplayer should really have been named Manana. As it seems that everything is WIP. They launched it with the digital outputs disabled bespite the specs to the contrary. Then realised they couldn't make it work so had to launch a Roomplayer II, expecting customers to pay to upgrade. Not checked recently but the only app available was iOS, with the promise of an Android app being imminent. It's been imminent for some two years now...

Not to mention software upgrades that break everything.

If true, that is very sad. I kind of got use to this sort of sh!t in the compuer world (why I mostly use Apple) but we really do not need this in the music/hi-fi arena.

I am bored enough waiting for Spotify to implement Connect into their desktop software, tedious.

Now if we only had a setup where we could stick in a disc and it plays every time without software issues........*music2*

 

[bigboss]

Personally, I would trust Sonos to outlive most other systems and more likely to upgrade softwares and support new services.

 

[matthewpiano]

This is the problem. Everyone talks about streaming and network audio being the way forward but the options for implementing it are still limited. Meanwhile the choice of CD players out there continues to contract as well.

 

[matthewpiano]

OK, I've always ignored Sonos somewhat but looking at the Connect I'm wondering if there are any reasons not to go for that.

 

[gregvet]

I have no doubt the bluesound options are great, and lots of the features are potentially much better than the sonos equivalent (hi res, spotify connect etc).

However, sonos just works seamlessly, all the time, and they add features often enough to mean that, for me, they get my vote any day of the week. My connects have done service day in day out for years now and I wouldn't change them for anything.

 

[unsleepable]

OK, I've always ignored Sonos somewhat but looking at the Connect I'm wondering if there are any reasons not to go for that.

My main issue with the Sonos would be its support for Spotify. Not only does it not implement the Connect feature, but it also doesn't support Your Music—so you can't access your saved albums; you can only access your playlists.

The Your Music feature is the deal breaker for me. Otherwise, even without support for Spotify Connect it would just be a matter of using the Spotify app to manage the device.

 

[davedotco]

I have no doubt the bluesound options are great, and lots of the features are potentially much better than the sonos equivalent (hi res, spotify connect etc).

However, sonos just works seamlessly, all the time, and they add features often enough to mean that, for me, they get my vote any day of the week. My connects have done service day in day out for years now and I wouldn't change them for anything.

Understand entirely, it is a very well sorted setup.

For me the big issue is Spotify Connect, using the Spotify app is simply miles better than the Spotify function in the generally excellent Sonos control app, as I use Spotify virtually all of the time this is important to me.

 

[bigboss]

Look at Raumfeld Connector 2. Supports Spotify Connect, does hi res audio and cheaper than the lot:

http://www.teufelaudio.co.uk/?ac_type=warenkorb&ac_name=update&vw_type=artikel&vw_name=detail&vw_id=9527&delivery_country=190

What Hi Fi gave a 5-star review for Raumfeld system.

 

[davedotco]

Look at Raumfeld Connector 2. Supports Spotify Connect, does hi res audio and cheaper than the lot:

http://www.teufelaudio.co.uk/?ac_type=warenkorb&ac_name=update&vw_type=a...

What Hi Fi gave a 5-star review for Raumfeld system.

Really, more info please.

I can find nothing about support for spotify connect.

 

[unsleepable]

It's a German vendor. They have this speaker that supports Spotify Connect, but it seems to be their only product with support.

 

[Esra]

Other option could be a used Logitech Squeezebox Touch.I didn´t find any other affordable device which can touch this in terms of usability and sound quality.No need for apps(you can use an app tough),big screen,open linux system and fantastic sound with some 3rd party tweaks which are easy to install on software side.Supports spotify and more.Very good source with usb-out and 192 output besides coax and toslink (tweak).Brilliant support via forum slimdevices. With a good external Dac this little device is all you need for digital music and blows many much higher priced streamers and cdp´s out of the water.

 

[davedotco]

It's a German vendor. They have this speaker that supports Spotify Connect, but it seems to be their only product with support.

That is what I saw, no suggestion of support on the Connector 2 or any other product for that matter.

 

[Andy Clough]

Anyone got any experience of using Simple Audio products? I'm specifically interested in any views on the Roomplayer 2 (without amp) as a source in a decent quality system. It is a route I could be tempted to head down.

We'll be testing the latest version of the Simple Audio system in the November issue of the mag, on sale Sept 24th. Part of a multiroom system Group Test including Sonos, Bluesound, Pure, Samsung and Simple Audio. Should make interesting reading