miniBoom

[SpeedyM]

Greetings Gents
A quick project write-up: "miniBoom".

The Mrs. wanted physical controls instead of app-based control of her music.
"miniBoom" is a re-cased Squeezebox Boom sans built-in speakers.
So, here goes...

Using an old Boom that's been stored in the basement for a few years, you know... sticky front panel buttons with blown bass drivers and aging VHD display. Instead of replacing the speakers' foam surrounds (yup, been there, done that) I opted to use the electronics for control and drive directly to any amplified speaker system via headphone port. The wooden case is oak for aesthetics and borrows design queues from the Tivoli Audio.
Photos attached.

A simple build with minimal parts.
Mostly stuff I had and purchased some from the local hardware store.

- pvc flat panel 1/4". cut to size.
- pvc 1"x2" stock. cut to size.
- 5/32 plexi-glass. cut to size.
- 3" x 1/2" Oak board. cut to size
- 1" (4) nylon standoffs
- screws re-used from Boom disassembly.
- 150mm (6") ribbon cable ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RVD1PB2...t_details&th=1 )
- Paint color is Primer Gray.

Notes:
- Disassembly. Thanks to Joe's amazing write-up ( https://joes-tech-blog.blogspot.com/...d-display.html )

- I cut away the original Logitech dark plastic display window to compensate the aging VHD display. This allows display intensity set to 3 and extend the VHD useable life. [ Side note: I tried Joes "3 diode fix" to no avail ]

- My favorite "sticky button and panel" fix is to clean with soap and water, air dry thoroughly. Spray a few light coats of flat black paint and finish with a clear (flat) sealer. I do this on the front panel and center knob ONLY. Yes, the paint covers the text printed on the panel, but that is small enough change to mitigate the stickiness. The button membrane is removed and sprayed ONLY with the clear flat sealer. This will maintain the button indicator symbols and cover over the sticky surfaces.

- Assembly. Straight forward as shown in attached photos.
Some drilling to line up the screws. Some double stick tape, glue and clamps to keep everything square.

Thank you for all the great contributions through the years.
Long Live Squeezebox !

SpeedyM

[Fredio]

Awesome build.
My Boom ( owned since new) has given up the ghost ; I replaced the wifi card with an identical and after re-assembly, it won't power up. I'm so disappointed .
I don't think anyone works on these anymore, and new devices just don't have the ecosystem Logitech still has.

[Redrum]

Awesome build.
My Boom ( owned since new) has given up the ghost ; I replaced the wifi card with an identical and after re-assembly, it won't power up. I'm so disappointed .
I don't think anyone works on these anymore, and new devices just don't have the ecosystem Logitech still has.

send a pm to JoeMuc2009. He still works on them/offers guidance. I think you will need 3 posts to be able to pm (upper right corner you should see "messages" next to your name). If you don't see it after the third, wait a bit, log out and back in. If still no, maybe it's 5

You can make your dummy post here, or there is a thread somewhere that people are using for that....

Jim

[Apesbrain]

The Mrs. wanted physical controls instead of app-based control of her music.

Nice job! Given Squeezebox ability to control any player from any other player, your device could sit on a coffee table and wirelessly control a hidden piCorePlayer-based device (or WiiM Mini) connected to your powered speakers across the room.

[SpeedyM]

Thanks. Apesbrain - Yes!! . That is one of the great features of these devices. Also what I didnt show in the photos is that I mounted a magnet in the back to retain the small Boom remote out of site but still easily accessed.

[JoeMuc2009]

Fredio: please let me know your location and I'll tell you what expense you can expect to have the Boom fixed. Usually it's all fixable one way or the other. I'm in Germany so some transport is involved and it's usually economically possible only within the EU but I can also try to help you from afar. If you have some soldering skills or know someone who does, we can take that approach, too. Whatever helps! ☺️

[Fredio]

JoeMuc2009 , thanks for the offer, but unfortunately I'm in the U.S.

I've been trying to locate new ,longer wifi connector cables to solder on the board to have more room ,but there are so many similar MH4 and U.fl cables in different mm sizes, it seems impossible. I may also have not fully seated the ribbon connectors when I reassembled. I shelved it a week ago while I look for solutions. There is little room for working.

The Boom is such a fantastic player , I hate to let it go. Top notch components and sound that if built today would be very costly.

I've built three retro bluetooth radios with Lion battery management modules housed in vintage 50's portable radios and a 3116 24v amplifier , have solder skills ,but the Boom has parts difficult to find.

Any ideas you have can help. Thanks !

[Fredio]

send a pm to JoeMuc2009. He still works on them/offers guidance. I think you will need 3 posts to be able to pm (upper right corner you should see "messages" next to your name). If you don't see it after the third, wait a bit, log out and back in. If still no, maybe it's 5

You can make your dummy post here, or there is a thread somewhere that people are using for that....

Jim

Thanks, Redrum . JoeMuc2009 has posted and I have tried to explain my problem.