streaming and playback for beginner

[admin_exported]

Hi

I have just been advised that in order to stream music from the internet or to play music from a remote computer (our music is mostly stored on an imac or a harddrive) I need a device called a sonos zp9 (or similar) and possibly a bridge.

The way it was explained was a follows. The bridge connects to your router which is connected to your computers and the sonos connects to one of the inputs in your hifi.

I have a CD player (Marantz SA-KI-Pearl -Lite) which I believe the sonos would connect into for this purpose.

I can then use the sonos to access the computer and then use an iphone as a user interface for these devices and simply view music listings and play them.

Is anyone aware of connection diagrams or where I can see these devices at work?

Does anyone have any experience of a set up like this?

 

[The_Lhc]

I have just been advised that in order to stream music from the internet or to play music from a remote computer (our music is mostly stored on an imac or a harddrive) I need a device called a sonos zp9 (or similar) and possibly a bridge.

For Sonos you only need the bridge if you can't wire the ZP90 directly to the router, if you can you don't need the bridge.

The way it was explained was a follows. The bridge connects to your router which is connected to your computers and the sonos connects to one of the inputs in your hifi.

I have a CD player (Marantz SA-KI-Pearl -Lite) which I believe the sonos would connect into for this purpose.

Erm, well that's not an amp, it's an SACD player but you could connect the ZP90 to it using a digital cable (optical or coaxial) and use the Marantz as a DAC (I believe the Marantz allows this). One assumes you also have an amp that the Marantz is connected to?

I can then use the sonos to access the computer and then use an iphone as a user interface for these devices and simply view music listings and play them.

Is anyone aware of connection diagrams or where I can see these devices at work?

Richer Sounds have them on display or any decent hi-fi dealer will be able to demonstrate it for you, without knowing where you it's impossible to recommend anyone.

Does anyone have any experience of a set up like this?

Several million people I expect, it's a pretty common setup these days, there's nothing particularly arcane about it.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Richer Sounds have them on display or any decent hi-fi dealer will be able to demonstrate it for you, without knowing where you it's impossible to recommend anyone.

Several million people I expect, it's a pretty common setup these days, there's nothing particularly arcane about it.

Ah, going for the friendly, welcoming approach, then...? :doh:

 

[The_Lhc]

Richer Sounds have them on display or any decent hi-fi dealer will be able to demonstrate it for you, without knowing where you it's impossible to recommend anyone.

Several million people I expect, it's a pretty common setup these days, there's nothing particularly arcane about it.

Ah, going for the friendly, welcoming approach, then...? :doh:

No, in the first instance I was aiming for "I'm typing faster than I can think" in the second it was "This setup is so common there's nothing to be afraid of/worry about". Apparently I missed that one.

Anyway, I don't do welcoming flim-flammery, you know that. On that note, hello to Jason Isaacs...

 

[John Duncan]

Unless it's Victoria Coren, of course, in which case you're all over them like a rash...

 

[The_Lhc]

I twittered her once! What was it about? I can't be bothered to check now.

 

[Anonymous]

thanks. I guess the last question was redundant really. There is a Richer sounds in Cambridge not too far from me. My problem with retail advice is that they may only stock and really know one brand and not be able to give objective comparison. I do have a Marantz amp but the guy at the shop told me to connect sonos to that rather than amp. See what I mean? Is there a place I can see a review of other similar kit?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Andrew, thanks for all your comments.

 

[Anonymous]

for any other beginners there are some helpful tips on this website

It got me thinking about using the mains wiring as an alternative to wireless as we have poor broadband in our village. If there are other links on this forum I would appreciate a heads up on where it is.

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/focus/listening-wirelessly

 

[John Duncan]

That article's got a certain style to it, certainly...