Play Music from PC or Internet via Receiver or Amp

[Johnfb]

Want to play music you've stored on your PC or from Internet radio stations (including Pandora which Sandy previously described in this article http://www.compukiss.com/articles/pandora-free-music-with-a-great-twist.html) through your amp or receiver? Take a look a SqueezeBox by Slim Devices at http://www.slimdevices.com/pi_squeezebox.html/.

[Sandy Berger]

John,
I've heard of the Squeezebox, but not actually tried it. Have you used it? If so, please let us know a little more about it.

[Johnfb]

Hi Sandy,

I’ve had my Squeezebox v3 by Slim Devices (now a Logitech Company) for just over a year and couldn’t be happier with it. Here are some highlights:
*It plays non-DRM protected music stored on my PC (in my case mp3 and wav formats) via an application called a slim server available on the Slimdevices.com site
*The literature indicates it will play iTunes but I have not tried that
*It provides a variety playing selections in addition to playlists such as by artist, by genre, by year, by album- all with shuffle capability
*I also have it configured to connect to two Internet radio sources including Pandora (a $36 annual subscribe required) and SHOUTcast (free). It can also connect to several other subscription services including Rhapsody. Once you’ve configured these on SqueezeNetwork.com, you can listen without having your PC on.
*It easily connects to my wireless G network
*It connects to an amp/receiver via RCA cables or Toslink. During the winter I have it connected to one in the family room and then during the rest of the year I relocate it our sun room
*It comes with a top notch remote which allows you to change what is playing and control the volume among other functions
*I’ve talked to their free support 3 or 4 times; once for a problem with an update and the other times just to clarify an operational or feature question. They pick-up the phone quickly and really seem to know the product.

I'd be glad to answer other questions anyone might have.

John