Thinkin about getting a server

[just dave]

Hey guys I'm in the market for a music server,thinkin about A Escient Fireball MX-111.Anybody have one of these,if so how do ya like it? It's got an ethernet port in back so if I got a router would it connect to the internet through my computer ? Any info use guys could give me would be great,Thanks

 

[Will S.]

Specialized hardware "media server" isn't really necessary. I have a WD Mycloud NAS connected via ethernet to my router in a basement closet. I load it via iTunes with lossless AAC from a Mac laptop and share it on my LAN. My Blu-ray player, Roku and Bluesound Node all have access. Any NAS with DLNA support and a PC or Mac would work and the NAS will also be useful for backing up your computer and storing photos and whatever other junk you've got.

Full disclosure: I work for Western Digital, the maker of the MyCloud.

 

[Alobar]

Specialized hardware "media server" isn't really necessary. I have a WD Mycloud NAS connected via ethernet to my router in a basement closet. I load it via iTunes with lossless AAC from a Mac laptop and share it on my LAN. My Blu-ray player, Roku and Bluesound Node all have access. Any NAS with DLNA support and a PC or Mac would work and the NAS will also be useful for backing up your computer and storing photos and whatever other junk you've got.

Full disclosure: I work for Western Digital, the maker of the MyCloud.

I'm thinking of buying a MyCloud. Seems like a good solution for me to store my tunes on... And I (at least in theory) can play my music stored on it from home while over in Hawaii..

 

[ETLS]

I'm thinking of buying a MyCloud. Seems like a good solution for me to store my tunes on... And I (at least in theory) can play my music stored on it from home while over in Hawaii..

The Rolling Stones warned against this many years ago.

 

[jazzmans]

I built my own server, have been for decades now. My current music server is;

Host: blackpeter Kernel: 3.16.0-4-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) Desktop: N/A
Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 8
Machine: Mobo: ASUSTeK model: M5A97 v: Rev 1.xx Bios: American Megatrends v: 0901 date: 11/24/2011
CPU: Quad core AMD FX-4100 (-MCP-) cache: 8192 KB
clock speeds: max: 3600 MHz 1: 1400 MHz 2: 1400 MHz 3: 1400 MHz 4: 1400 MHz
Graphics: Card: NVIDIA GM107 [GeForce GTX 750]
Display Server: X.Org 1.15.1 driver: nvidia Resolution: 1920x1080@60.02hz
GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Haswell Mobile GLX Version: 1.4 (3.0 Mesa 10.1.3)
Audio: Card-1 NVIDIA Device 0fbc driver: snd_hda_intel Sound: ALSA v: k3.16.0-4-amd64
Card-2 VIA VT1720/24 [Envy24PT/HT] PCI Multi-Channel Audio Controller driver: snd_ice1724
Network: Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver: r8169
IF: eth0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac:
Drives: HDD Total Size: 32006.3GB (75.4% used) ID-1: /dev/sdc model: WDC_WD60EFRX size: 6001.2GB
ID-2: /dev/sdb model: WDC_WD60EFRX size: 6001.2GB
ID-3: /dev/sde model: WDC_WD6001FZWX size: 6001.2GB
ID-4: /dev/sdf model: WDC_WD60EFRX size: 6001.2GB
ID-5: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD20EFRX size: 2000.4GB
ID-6: /dev/sdd model: WDC_WD60EFRX size: 6001.2GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 1.8T used: 230G (14%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
ID-2: swap-1 size: 25.66GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 7.0C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info: Processes: 194 Uptime: 35 days Memory: 1204.5/11992.5MB Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.2.21

Weird, the M audio Audiophile 24/96 card doesn't show in system specs,
The case is an Antec 300 2, which was totl when I built this machine 8 years ago, uses 80mm fans, (3) and I've added a couple of 60 mm fans to aid force cooling all those hard drives. It's silent unless your head is right next to the machine.It feeds Wav's that I ripped from my own cds throughout my system(s) for the highest fidelity.


This machine is also my movie server, so the hdd space is rsynced to a series of hdd's that I manually connect to sync, then disconnect once the sync is done, with a third copy off-site.
I send the data, both audio and video through gigabit ethernet to my movie machine, which is;

System: Host: hightime Kernel: 4.4.0-34-generic x86_64 (64 bit) Desktop: N/A
Distro: Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa
Machine: Mobo: ASUSTeK model: SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 v: Rev 1.xx
Bios: American Megatrends v: 2501 date: 04/08/2014
CPU: Octa core AMD FX-8350 Eight-Core (-MCP-) cache: 16384 KB
clock speeds: max: 4013 MHz 1: 4013 MHz 2: 4013 MHz 3: 4013 MHz 4: 4013 MHz 5: 4013 MHz
6: 4013 MHz 7: 4013 MHz 8: 4013 MHz
Graphics: Card: NVIDIA GK104 [GeForce GTX 760]
Display Server: X.Org 1.15.1 drivers: nvidia (unloaded: fbdev,vesa,nouveau)
Resolution: 1920x1080@60.0hz
GLX Renderer: N/A GLX Version: N/A
Audio: Card-1 NVIDIA GK104 HDMI Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel
Card-2 VIA VT1720/24 [Envy24PT/HT] PCI Multi-Channel Audio Controller driver: snd_ice1724
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.4.0-34-generic
Network: Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver: r8169
IF: eth0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac:
Drives: HDD Total Size: 3000.6GB (4.9% used) ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD3003FZEX size: 3000.6GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 464G used: 77G (18%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda5
ID-2: swap-1 size: 68.50GB used: 0.01GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda3
RAID: No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 26.8C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: 0
Info: Processes: 256 Uptime: 50 days Memory: 3570.6/32074.2MB Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.2.28
again the M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 doesn't show up for some reason here either.

the case is a Cooler Master HTPC case, it's very large, (fits in a shelf that was originally designed for records, and fills it) that uses 120 mm fans, for great airflow, with 0 fan noise, which is important.
This one feeds my 70" 4k screen,(dunno why it isn't showing, but it is running at 2560 x 1440) and audio is going through a Bryston Pre, then sent to a Carver PM 350 and a Carver PM 1.5 amp, which feed respectively my maggie 1.6Qrs and Crescendo 3009, among a lot of other speakers throughout the house.


For audio only, the first machine, which is an almost 8 years old now, is more then enough power, it's idleing 99.9% of the time

when it comes to digital data, if you don't have (at least) two copies, you don't have the data.

When I build my next server, it'll use the latest AMD Ryzen chip, but it will definitly have balance connections, like my ancient audiophile card does.
I've been testing the Audioengine D1 in my workstation
System: Host: direwolf Kernel: 4.7.0-1-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit)
Desktop: Xfce 4.12.3 Distro: Debian GNU/Linux stretch/sid
Machine: Device: desktop System: Gigabyte product: N/A
Mobo: Gigabyte model: 990FXA-UD3 v: x.x
BIOS: American Megatrends v: F2 date: 07/15/2013
CPU: Quad core AMD FX-8350 Eight-Core (-HT-MCP-) cache: 8192 KB
clock speeds: max: 4000 MHz 1: 1400 MHz 2: 1400 MHz 3: 1400 MHz
4: 2100 MHz 5: 1400 MHz 6: 1400 MHz 7: 1400 MHz 8: 1400 MHz
Graphics: Card: NVIDIA GK107 [GeForce GT 640]
Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 driver: nvidia
Resolution: 1920x1080@60.00hz, 3840x2160@30.00hz
GLX Renderer: N/A GLX Version: N/A
Audio: Card-1 NVIDIA GK107 HDMI Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel
Card-2 Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] SBx00 Azalia (Intel HDA)
driver: snd_hda_intel
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.7.0-1-amd64
Network: Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller
driver: r8169
IF: enp5s0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full
mac:
Drives: HDD Total Size: 8501.7GB (48.8% used)
ID-1: /dev/sda model: Samsung_SSD_850 size: 500.1GB
ID-2: /dev/sdb model: WDC_WD4003FZEX size: 4000.8GB
ID-3: /dev/sdc model: WDC_WD4000F9YZ size: 4000.8GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 443G used: 63G (15%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
ID-2: swap-1 size: 17.14GB used: 0.07GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 16.1C mobo: N/A gpu: 35C
Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info: Processes: 297 Uptime: 50 days Memory: 4561.0/16080.6MB
Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.3.5
Case is another Antec 300 2, it's a normal sized mid tower, with tons of slots for hdd's, and lots of cooling, all of the 80mm variety, as 120 mm fans weren't everywhere when I bought it.
, and it, along with pulseaudio, instead of ALSA, has been absolutely fabulous audio reproduction through an Adcom preamp, and my oldest piece of audio gear, my Carver M 1.5T that I've owned since the early nineties, feeding a pair of M&K S-100's and an M&K KX 10-sf subwoofer.

I'd say build your own, you can tailor it to what you want. If a small form factor is what you want, there's a number of cases that do swimmingly.

I'm a paranoid luddite, so I have all incoming connections blocked at the router level, micro sd cards are so cheap now, it's just easier to carry a 128 or 256 gig microsd card filled with whatever mp3's I'm in the mood for.

 

[just dave]

The Rolling Stones warned against this many years ago.

I'm with the Stones on this one.

 

[just dave]

I need a server too. They could turn my LPs over and put them back in the sleeves.

No no, that's a servant.I want a server.

 

[just dave]

I built my own server, have been for decades now. My current music server is;

Host: blackpeter Kernel: 3.16.0-4-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) Desktop: N/A
Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 8
Machine: Mobo: ASUSTeK model: M5A97 v: Rev 1.xx Bios: American Megatrends v: 0901 date: 11/24/2011
CPU: Quad core AMD FX-4100 (-MCP-) cache: 8192 KB
clock speeds: max: 3600 MHz 1: 1400 MHz 2: 1400 MHz 3: 1400 MHz 4: 1400 MHz
Graphics: Card: NVIDIA GM107 [GeForce GTX 750]
Display Server: X.Org 1.15.1 driver: nvidia Resolution: 1920x1080@60.02hz
GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Haswell Mobile GLX Version: 1.4 (3.0 Mesa 10.1.3)
Audio: Card-1 NVIDIA Device 0fbc driver: snd_hda_intel Sound: ALSA v: k3.16.0-4-amd64
Card-2 VIA VT1720/24 [Envy24PT/HT] PCI Multi-Channel Audio Controller driver: snd_ice1724
Network: Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver: r8169
IF: eth0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac:
Drives: HDD Total Size: 32006.3GB (75.4% used) ID-1: /dev/sdc model: WDC_WD60EFRX size: 6001.2GB
ID-2: /dev/sdb model: WDC_WD60EFRX size: 6001.2GB
ID-3: /dev/sde model: WDC_WD6001FZWX size: 6001.2GB
ID-4: /dev/sdf model: WDC_WD60EFRX size: 6001.2GB
ID-5: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD20EFRX size: 2000.4GB
ID-6: /dev/sdd model: WDC_WD60EFRX size: 6001.2GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 1.8T used: 230G (14%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
ID-2: swap-1 size: 25.66GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 7.0C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info: Processes: 194 Uptime: 35 days Memory: 1204.5/11992.5MB Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.2.21

Weird, the M audio Audiophile 24/96 card doesn't show in system specs,
The case is an Antec 300 2, which was totl when I built this machine 8 years ago, uses 80mm fans, (3) and I've added a couple of 60 mm fans to aid force cooling all those hard drives. It's silent unless your head is right next to the machine.It feeds Wav's that I ripped from my own cds throughout my system(s) for the highest fidelity.


This machine is also my movie server, so the hdd space is rsynced to a series of hdd's that I manually connect to sync, then disconnect once the sync is done, with a third copy off-site.
I send the data, both audio and video through gigabit ethernet to my movie machine, which is;

System: Host: hightime Kernel: 4.4.0-34-generic x86_64 (64 bit) Desktop: N/A
Distro: Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa
Machine: Mobo: ASUSTeK model: SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 v: Rev 1.xx
Bios: American Megatrends v: 2501 date: 04/08/2014
CPU: Octa core AMD FX-8350 Eight-Core (-MCP-) cache: 16384 KB
clock speeds: max: 4013 MHz 1: 4013 MHz 2: 4013 MHz 3: 4013 MHz 4: 4013 MHz 5: 4013 MHz
6: 4013 MHz 7: 4013 MHz 8: 4013 MHz
Graphics: Card: NVIDIA GK104 [GeForce GTX 760]
Display Server: X.Org 1.15.1 drivers: nvidia (unloaded: fbdev,vesa,nouveau)
Resolution: 1920x1080@60.0hz
GLX Renderer: N/A GLX Version: N/A
Audio: Card-1 NVIDIA GK104 HDMI Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel
Card-2 VIA VT1720/24 [Envy24PT/HT] PCI Multi-Channel Audio Controller driver: snd_ice1724
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.4.0-34-generic
Network: Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver: r8169
IF: eth0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac:
Drives: HDD Total Size: 3000.6GB (4.9% used) ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD3003FZEX size: 3000.6GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 464G used: 77G (18%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda5
ID-2: swap-1 size: 68.50GB used: 0.01GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda3
RAID: No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 26.8C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: 0
Info: Processes: 256 Uptime: 50 days Memory: 3570.6/32074.2MB Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.2.28
again the M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 doesn't show up for some reason here either.

the case is a Cooler Master HTPC case, it's very large, (fits in a shelf that was originally designed for records, and fills it) that uses 120 mm fans, for great airflow, with 0 fan noise, which is important.
This one feeds my 70" 4k screen,(dunno why it isn't showing, but it is running at 2560 x 1440) and audio is going through a Bryston Pre, then sent to a Carver PM 350 and a Carver PM 1.5 amp, which feed respectively my maggie 1.6Qrs and Crescendo 3009, among a lot of other speakers throughout the house.


For audio only, the first machine, which is an almost 8 years old now, is more then enough power, it's idleing 99.9% of the time

when it comes to digital data, if you don't have (at least) two copies, you don't have the data.

When I build my next server, it'll use the latest AMD Ryzen chip, but it will definitly have balance connections, like my ancient audiophile card does.
I've been testing the Audioengine D1 in my workstation
System: Host: direwolf Kernel: 4.7.0-1-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit)
Desktop: Xfce 4.12.3 Distro: Debian GNU/Linux stretch/sid
Machine: Device: desktop System: Gigabyte product: N/A
Mobo: Gigabyte model: 990FXA-UD3 v: x.x
BIOS: American Megatrends v: F2 date: 07/15/2013
CPU: Quad core AMD FX-8350 Eight-Core (-HT-MCP-) cache: 8192 KB
clock speeds: max: 4000 MHz 1: 1400 MHz 2: 1400 MHz 3: 1400 MHz
4: 2100 MHz 5: 1400 MHz 6: 1400 MHz 7: 1400 MHz 8: 1400 MHz
Graphics: Card: NVIDIA GK107 [GeForce GT 640]
Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 driver: nvidia
Resolution: 1920x1080@60.00hz, 3840x2160@30.00hz
GLX Renderer: N/A GLX Version: N/A
Audio: Card-1 NVIDIA GK107 HDMI Audio Controller driver: snd_hda_intel
Card-2 Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] SBx00 Azalia (Intel HDA)
driver: snd_hda_intel
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.7.0-1-amd64
Network: Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller
driver: r8169
IF: enp5s0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full
mac:
Drives: HDD Total Size: 8501.7GB (48.8% used)
ID-1: /dev/sda model: Samsung_SSD_850 size: 500.1GB
ID-2: /dev/sdb model: WDC_WD4003FZEX size: 4000.8GB
ID-3: /dev/sdc model: WDC_WD4000F9YZ size: 4000.8GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 443G used: 63G (15%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
ID-2: swap-1 size: 17.14GB used: 0.07GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 16.1C mobo: N/A gpu: 35C
Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info: Processes: 297 Uptime: 50 days Memory: 4561.0/16080.6MB
Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.3.5
Case is another Antec 300 2, it's a normal sized mid tower, with tons of slots for hdd's, and lots of cooling, all of the 80mm variety, as 120 mm fans weren't everywhere when I bought it.
, and it, along with pulseaudio, instead of ALSA, has been absolutely fabulous audio reproduction through an Adcom preamp, and my oldest piece of audio gear, my Carver M 1.5T that I've owned since the early nineties, feeding a pair of M&K S-100's and an M&K KX 10-sf subwoofer.

I'd say build your own, you can tailor it to what you want. If a small form factor is what you want, there's a number of cases that do swimmingly.

I'm a paranoid luddite, so I have all incoming connections blocked at the router level, micro sd cards are so cheap now, it's just easier to carry a 128 or 256 gig microsd card filled with whatever mp3's I'm in the mood for.

Huh?

 

[DaveVoorhis]

I built my own server, have been for decades now. My current music server is;

Host: blackpeter Kernel: 3.16.0-4-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) Desktop: N/A
Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 8
[...]

Technical detail is great if you're an experienced Do-It-Yourself builder; unfortunately it only frightens away beginners who might otherwise have been interested.

 

[nj pheonix]

Technical detail is great if you're an experienced Do-It-Yourself builder; unfortunately it only frightens away beginners who might otherwise have been interested.

Is there a kiss version of this?
I was thinking hardware would be easy
What i was hoping was a user intuitive set up and a user friendly interface. You could read that as willing to invest time and effort. I don't want to have to learn a foreign language and if i could access/control through a tablet/ notebook so much the better!

 

[DaveVoorhis]

Is there a kiss version of this?

For a Do-It-Yourself solution?

Sure. Get a computer, install Kodi on it. See https://kodi.tv

 

[JP]

lossless AAC

AAC isn't lossless. Did you mean ALAC?

 

[hjames]

The little Raspberry Pi units are flat amazing ... I'm standing one up now.
Base unit is the size of a deck of cards and uses a prebuilt Linux kernel ...
Quad-core processor with a gig of ram, HDMI, 4 USB ports, ethernet port and Wifi built in, and boots off a MicroSD -
$65 for the computer! (I ordered a $55 hirex audio output card to go with it).
Download the RuneAudio player, burn it to a microSD chip, (most of the config stuff is built in) and you can use your phone or pad to run it wirelessly via http://runeaudio.local
Details - http://www.runeaudio.com/

More details as I get them, posted here -
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/another-raspberry-pi-3b-system.756447/

 

[N8Nagel]

Specialized hardware "media server" isn't really necessary. I have a WD Mycloud NAS connected via ethernet to my router in a basement closet. I load it via iTunes with lossless AAC from a Mac laptop and share it on my LAN. My Blu-ray player, Roku and Bluesound Node all have access. Any NAS with DLNA support and a PC or Mac would work and the NAS will also be useful for backing up your computer and storing photos and whatever other junk you've got.

Full disclosure: I work for Western Digital, the maker of the MyCloud.

I have a MyCloud EX2 and sadly I cannot recommend it.

1) the "Twonky" DLNA software has one fatal flaw which is if you navigate "by folder" to an album - and most of my rips are organized as such - drive/shared music/artist/year-album title/01 Track 1 Name.flac - you cannot play an album through in original track order; it will instead try to play through the files in the order of the track names arranged alphabetically. Not the filename, which has the track number appended to the front, but the track name tag. Stupid.

2) Transfer speeds are abysmally slow. I'm on a gigabit network but transfer speeds are in the neighborhood of 5kbps.

I'm actually going to be watching this thread because I would really like to know what I can purchase that will have the advertised functionality of the MyCloud but actually work. Would prefer the ability to have RAID 1 as I've had too many drive failures in my lifetime (that is how the EX2 is currently configured) Support for a Plex server would be nice too but I don't actually use that functionality.

 

[Will S.]

AAC isn't lossless. Did you mean ALAC?

Yes.

 

[Will S.]

I have a MyCloud EX2 and sadly I cannot recommend it.

1) the "Twonky" DLNA software has one fatal flaw which is if you navigate "by folder" to an album - and most of my rips are organized as such - drive/shared music/artist/year-album title/01 Track 1 Name.flac - you cannot play an album through in original track order; it will instead try to play through the files in the order of the track names arranged alphabetically. Not the filename, which has the track number appended to the front, but the track name tag. Stupid.

Are you able to navigate by Artist/Album? Are you sure it's not your client's DLNA implementation? On both my Roku and Oppo BDP-103, I can pick an album and play it through in the correct order. The Bluesound Node uses SMB and manages the same feat.

2) Transfer speeds are abysmally slow. I'm on a gigabit network but transfer speeds are in the neighborhood of 5kbps.

I'm actually going to be watching this thread because I would really like to know what I can purchase that will have the advertised functionality of the MyCloud but actually work. Would prefer the ability to have RAID 1 as I've had too many drive failures in my lifetime (that is how the EX2 is currently configured) Support for a Plex server would be nice too but I don't actually use that functionality.

I haven't looked directly at my transfer rates, but it's fast enough to play smoothly over both wired and wireless connections.

 

[Will S.]

Technical detail is great if you're an experienced Do-It-Yourself builder; unfortunately it only frightens away beginners who might otherwise have been interested.

It's like when a non-audiophile asks you how to make his music sound better and you describe every piece of equipment you've ever owned...

 

[LesE]

I'm another recent RPi3 user. I have the RPi running Open Media Vault with the Plex Media Server plug-in. OMV also turns your attached USB hard drive into a NAS which is a bonus if you don't already have one.

You can control the media server from a Web browser or the Plex mobile app which supports the Chromecast Audio WiFi streamer. Another control option is the Hi-Fi Cast android app which also supports the CCA as well as gapless audio. I'm currently running two CCA's and will likely add one or two more in the future.

Les

 

[just dave]

I don't need it hooked up to my phone just want one to play tunes at home and to burn cds.

 

[slow_jazz]

I purchased a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 with cracked screen for cheap that i use. Did the free Windows 10 update on it.

Works great. Dead quiet. I have to use a wireless mouse since the touch doesn't work on the Surface.

I tried laptops, desktops, and they all made way too much noise.

Surface seems to have plenty of horsepower for my needs.