Logitech SqueezeBox replacement for under $30

[epoch1970]

Can't match $30, but another alternative is the CuBox ... the sock firmware will run squeezelite and supports usb audio and async hifi dacs. It's about 3 times the price of the Pi, but its doing what I envisaged Squeezelite could do on an arm like device. Plus there's an hdmi display and ir port which could be made to do something useful too...

It has 1Gb ram for what I see. Do you think it can pull SBS and keep playing music ? (With the music drive on e-SATA, not USB)
Now that Michael has offered us an alternative to MIP, the ARM platform is really tempting.

[dyohn]

There has been a lot of discussion in this forum about a replacement for the SqueezeBox. I worked on this problem over the holiday and I think I came up with a good solution. Using a low cost ARM based system I was able to build a box that basically does everything the SqueezeBox does for under $30. Even a unit with analog and optical/COAX SPDIF out can be built for under $60.

http://vortexbox.org/content/149-Log...t-for-under-30

Parts ordered, thank you for this information!

[cliveb]

Can't match $30, but another alternative is the CuBox: http://www.solid-run.com/products/cubox

One other interesting feature of this device is that it has optical SPDIF out, so may be a good match for non-USB DACs.

[dyohn]

re: non-USB DAC. I plan to try the VAMP solution with a Turtle Beach USB output card. Total cost less than $60.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036VO4X4/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

[JJZolx]

As for wifi this would be required to make this a true replacement for the SqueezeBox.

No, there's a hell of a lot more than that needed to make this an actual replacement for the Squeezebox.

- wifi
- display
- infrared receiver and remote control
- internal DAC
- analog out
- optical S/PDIF out
- coax S/PDIF out

This is a DIY project at best.

[psketch]

Unfortunately that method doesn't work with my dac - setting "dwc_otg.speed=1" means it can't connect. For those dacs using less of the usb bus its probably a good step, but I'm hoping they can fully resolve the packet loss issue as without doing so its not really appropriate for hifi dacs (my target)

Yes - the Pi should be a really good solution. Currently, I'm using HDMI output using the onboard sound card, and it doesn't have any of the poor sound quality issues of the onboard dac, but does seem to be limited to 48K max output. As Triode says, USB Dacs do seem to have some basic packet loss issues at the moment - hopefully they'll fix them.

[agillis]

No, there's a hell of a lot more than that needed to make this an actual replacement for the Squeezebox.

- wifi
- display
- infrared receiver and remote control
- internal DAC
- analog out
- optical S/PDIF out
- coax S/PDIF out

This is a DIY project at best.

I already have a unit here with

- WiFi
- DAC
- analog out
- optical S/PDIF out
- coax S/PDIF out

The total cost is still way under $100. I also have one with a built in amp and speakers. (boom replacement) I'll be discussing these in future articles. The only two things I don't have is

- Display
- Infrared receiver and remote control

It would be easy to add both of these to the project but it would add anther $130 to the cost!! Since an iPod touch v4 is only $199 why would we want a display or remote?

I guess when I say SqueezeBox replacement I'm replacing the SqueezeBox Receiver not the Touch.

[maggior]

With the prevelance of iPods, iPhones, and Andriod devices, I think it's reasonable to put forth a squeezebox replacement without a display and rely on another device for the display/control. It seems to be working well for Sonos.

The the big issue to solve is configuration - how do you make that not a completely geeky endeavour without the problems that the duet had.

[Mnyb]

The the big issue to solve is configuration - how do you make that not a completely geeky endeavour without the problems that the duet had.

Well that’s not to hard use an on-board web-UI or an helper app running on your computer or why not both like my ethernet to ir adapter and ethernet to serial com adapter (itach) .

[MarcelG]

Great initiative

I just wanted to shout out that I think this is a fantastic initiative to keep the Squeezebox ecosystem alive.
The Raspberry Pi already drew my attention but I read that is has some nasty audio quality flukes (in the current Model B version at least), but the pogoplug in combination with a decent USB DAC sounds like a VERY viable plan!

Too bad the Pogoplug is so expensive in the Netherlands.

Triode and Agillis : keep up the great work!!!

BTW ; if the Squeezelite package is picked up by the masses using the pogoplugs, raspberry pi's etc, it might just become the audio equivalent of XBMC. And that means a GREAT future for the Squeezebox ecosystem!

[erland]

The only two things I don't have is

- Display
- Infrared receiver and remote control

It would be easy to add both of these to the project but it would add anther $130 to the cost!! Since an iPod touch v4 is only $199 why would we want a display or remote?

I guess when I say SqueezeBox replacement I'm replacing the SqueezeBox Receiver not the Touch.

Both IR and display is important to be able to replace my Classic or Touch, the issue is that I currently control them with a Harmony IR remote. The display is easy to solve, I can just place a iPod Touch or Android device in a docking station beside it with one of the available apps always running, it's the IR support which is going to cause me a head ache.

In similar fashion the on device controls and displays is really important to be able to replace any of my Squeezebox Radio's.

So as you suggest we are probably talking about a Squeezebox Receiver replacement/alternative rather than a generic Squeezebox replacement, but it's definitely good to have an alternative even if it isn't the perfect replacement of all Squeezebox models, so keep up the good work.

[erland]

BTW ; if the Squeezelite package is picked up by the masses using the pogoplugs, raspberry pi's etc

To reach the masses, you need to put it on the shelves in the local warehouses worldwide, doing that is going to be a completely different challenge and I believe it's also going to require a bit less geeky physical design than what we have seen on the alternatives so far, after all it's a device which non geeks must be willing to place in the center of their living room. Reaching the masses isn't impossible but I think a more realistic goal is to reach a lot of geeks and DIY wannabes on this forum.

[castalla]

Running a Pi with truehl's Squeezeplug for LMS and Triode's Squeezelite via Mini Boombox - sounds great to me - no audio issues. Controllable via Squeezeplay on PC, and Logitech controller app on android.

[azinck3]

Very interesting work. How's the sync performance between these devices? How about sync with hardware SBs?

[psketch]

Very interesting work. How's the sync performance between these devices? How about sync with hardware SBs?

Sync seems pretty decent with my Boom and Transporter :-)