Spotify on Mac Mini

spot remote means you cam control the mac mini with an ipad  - it installs a bit of software on the mac mini and you then control it with the ipad

works fine not to hard to set up but its quite a basic panel and a far cry from a full spottify on a computer

Hi Nick -

Am using the Spotify app built for the iPad, and Airplay'ing to an Airport Express.  From there, I use an OptiChord to connect to the Naim DAC.

This works well for me, except for two issues.  One, even with the Music Quality settings for Stream and Sync set to Extreme (320kbps), I am certain I'm hearing wide differences in sound quality.  In other words, I am convinced that Spotify's efforts to migrate their entire library to 320kbps is a work in process.  But it's more than good enough for trying out new music!  Second, there is a nasty bug in the current iPad version that almost everyone is eventually hitting.  If your iPad has not been restarted in a while, Spotify will hang during playback 30-60 seconds into a song.  Restart the iPad, and all is well...for a while.  They say they are working on it.

Anyway, no need for a Mac in my view.  AE's are selling for $99, plus another fiver for a 3.5mm-to-Toslink adapter, and it's a slicker solution IMO.

Good luck!

Hook

2nd that setup.  Using an iPad to stream via AirPlay is the slickest way to listen to online services I have found yet, bettering even a Squeezebox in ease and flexibility.  Being able to flick around the net and sample music through your hifi is flat out easy.  If iTunes ever gets it's act together it will be a powerful tool for purchasing also!

Thanks, all.  

I have an AirPort Express hooked up and will give Spotify on it due audition.

Ideally, one streamer will deliver all, for the Family to accept it.  Up to now, the stock SBT into the DAC has sounded way better than I would expect, especially from Spotify.  Mac Mini is about equal, but there are interface trade-offs.

When I had the 112, the AE sounded as good as the Naim DAC to me; now, with the 552, the difference is obvious in favor of better sources into the DAC.  

Yesterday, I added a Sonos Connect to the Naim DAC with surprisingly lackluster results.  The stock SBT massively outperforms the Connect.  I see why Wyred4Sound has such a good thing going!  LMS UI is not he best, but the SQ is compelling, especially for the money.  Sonos has a great UI.  When will we be able to have it all in one (Naim?) package?

Nick

Honestly. I'm happy getting free music. I think trying to judge sound quality from spotify methods is like asking what is the best way to prepare mutton 

You could hook up a ST to a C and stream S through the ND, or use the AE with the MTTT to stream to the ND?  

Or you could stick with your system that currently works, and not worry about spending money before you see (a) how long Logitech and Spotify carry on supporting your current system and (b) what the Squeezebox Community (remember LMS and Squeezebox is still Open Source) come up with as alternatives if Logitech stop supporting Squeezebox.

It always amazes me how many people jump away from a working system when its stopped being sold.  Yes there can be some good reasons, but I think your Squeezebox system will work well the time being...

Eloise

+1

Assuming you were using the Logitech Spotify App you may have better results with the Triode - Spotify Premium App. It is a 3rd party App, but free, that is much better than the Logitech Official App. You can search 'Triode Spotify' on the Squeezebox forum for further information. The only drawback (?) is you need a Spotify premium account.

Triode's App integrates incredibly well with the Squeezebox, almost making Spotify feel like it is part of your own music collection, with the ability to build playlists comprising your own and Spotify files seamlessly, on the fly. Well worth pursuing before you spend any money elsewhere.

Hi, Mancuso,

Thank you for this suggestion.  I will give Triode a try.  You nailed my issue:  I do subscribe to the Spotify Premium service and like everything except the clunky Squeezebox Spotify app.  The fact that I find the sound quality from Spotify as satisfying as I do, both from the SBT, and from an iPad via USB straight into the Naim DAC -- well, I hate to admit it here, but there it is.  Playing lossless files on my network is still better, and that is 95% of my listening time.

What is driving my further searching is that I am preparing to move house, and I am trying alternatives  like Sonos before I decide how much copper to run.  I am also looking to deliver a stable, easy to use system my family enjoys using as much as I do.  I admit I have enjoyed the process of trying out various streaming products, and especially appreciate the low-cost successes, like the SBT.  But eventually, I hope to close, or at least downsize, my "lab" and return to other hobbies.

Thanks again to all.

Nick

Nick,

Glad to have helped.  Enjoy the Triode App, I think you will like it.

I know what you mean about sound quality - something about the SBT + Naim DAC, or

maybe its mostly the DAC which makes MP3 streams very listenable (or maybe its the 555ps !!).

Having said that, I get very good Internet Radio SQ from a stand alone SBT in the kitchen through a 20 year

old Onix integrated amp and B&W ceiling speakers (smiles all round on the relatively cheap).  

Best of luck with the house move,

Sam

Also

I don't know about the SBT but I have a sonos and to play spotify through sonos you need spotify premium which is $10 a month.  Plus buying the sonos seems like a lot of cash.  You can just run the mini on your laptop through home sharing.  For some reason Apple does not allow home sharing through iPad

Here's an update for the record.

Maybe I am missing something, but Triode appears to be a plugin for Squeezebox devices, and is unavailable in the US; or maybe it is obsolete.  The Spotify app for Logitech Media Server does seem to work OK after all.  Using the Logitech app for iPad, pressing and holding a selection opens options including queuing.  Cool.

I am really looking to a Mac-only solution, eliminating the need for any Logitech or Sonos stuff.  What appears to work well on a Mac is the Spotify app plus Spot Remote for iPad.  The Mac connected optically to the Naim DAC seems to sound ~same as Squeezebox Touch, both of which sound better to me than the Sonos, straight out of the box.  There are probably untapped opportunities for all three in my system.  I did a few of the recommended tweaks for the SBT, including turning off the display and Wi-Fi to some small positive effect. 

On the other hand, if I can get the Sonos sounding great, I think my family would find it the easiest of the bunch to use.

Nick

Nick - Sorry you had trouble withe the Triode app.  I am fairly certain it isn't location specific. It is however a 3rd party app - not supported by Logitech. As such you would need to do the following to access it: (Below taken from Slimdevices wiki - google search 'Logitech 3rd party apps' will get you there)

Installing an App

1. From the home menu of your Touch or Radio, go to App Gallery and scroll to the bottom to 3rd Party Apps.
2. A short list of apps will be listed. To see all of them, uncheck the box next to Recommended Applets Only.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
4. Player will restart after finishing install.

Sounds like you are likely moving away from the SBT - still may be worth a shot to get this running so you can properly compare with other interfaces.

Good Luck

Sam