Spotify to end support for Squeezebox Touch - where to go now?

There are lots of cheap ways to add Spotify, the obvious easy one being a Sonos Connect.

Thanks Chrissu

Been having a root around and come across the chromecast audio - has anyone had any experience with these? For thirty quid plus the optical cable it might be worth a try? From all of the marketing blurb the only fly in the ointment that I can see is that it would have to plug straight into my dac and as I don't have a remote for it I'll have to get off my backside whenever I want to switch input and listen to spotify. Of course it may also be terrible quality...

Cheers,

Robert

Google

spotty spotify squeezebox

there  another implementation, just not SPotify sanctioned. 

.sjb

Agree with SJB above. There is a new app called Spotty - you will also need to update LMS. There are full details on the SBT forum.

BN

why not something like raspberry etc? 

For that budget - a little more - I would get a ChromeCast Audio into a Mojo using an optical cable. Probably best SQ for the money and wide support for the CCA.

I use 2 CCA's. One of them in my SN1 which has an optical input.

Assuming that Robert's SBT is working fine, then installation of the Spotty app is free and (having updated my SBT last night) painless then there is a no cost option. However, sooner or later the SBTs that are out there will probably come to the end of their working lives and as continuing support is dependent on a group of enthusiasts, then, it may be attractive to move to an alternative such as CCA.

BN

Thanks all,

Yes my SBT is still operating well so will investigate the spotty app - I hope I find it to be as painless to upload as you Bertie! I already have a DAC that the SBT feeds into so the second option of a CCA sounds good and excellent value. The more exppensive option would be something like a s/h unitiqute which I would use to replace my NAC72 but I hesitate to get rid of the llittle pre amp and would be unsure of the comparative sq of the qute.

Many thanks again,

Robert

Honeyquince posted:

Thanks all,

Yes my SBT is still operating well so will investigate the spotty app - I hope I find it to be as painless to upload as you Bertie! I already have a DAC that the SBT feeds into so the second option of a CCA sounds good and excellent value. The more exppensive option would be something like a s/h unitiqute which I would use to replace my NAC72 but I hesitate to get rid of the llittle pre amp and would be unsure of the comparative sq of the qute.

Many thanks again,

Robert

As you have the DAC, then connecting via a CCA from a phone or tablet is a good option.

Additionally, the CCA uses a lossless compression and can even do high res audio, so you can also put files on an SD card in the phone or tablet, and play those at high quality!

I'm using the "shairtunes2" plugin on LMS server. This plugin enables Airplay in the Spotify iPhone/iPad app. Works perfectly for me!

Robert, 

I didn't update LMS - as the update is only needed for certain functions of Spotty which I don't use. Full details on the Logitech SBT forum. Go to the 3rd party software sub forum and there is a thread that will explain what to do. The only hiccup I had was putting in the wrong user name and password for my Spotify account. 

BN

Thanks Bertie - the thought of fiddling around with the SBT fills me with dread so that's really helpful. Ì'm assuming that spotty doesn't change anything else like replay from a local hard drive...

"The more exppensive option would be something like a s/h unitiqute which I would use to replace my NAC72"

FWIW I experimented with my UQ replacing a NAC102/HICAP/NAPSC and liked it (more than Linn Majik DS into the NAC102 for example). In the end I replaced the lot with a SU but I don't think you should rule out UQ instead of NAC72,

Robert,

It doesn't change anything else. If you open LMS (web control) in your browser, you need to tick the box to install Spotty  . Click apply and LMS will restart. Then remove the official Spotify app and protocol handler. Click apply and restart LMS. Then go to the advanced tab and from the drop down menu in top left corneer select Spotty and put in your user name and password. Should be job done. I am not technical at all and got into a real mess trying to stream high quality BBc radio but this one is very straight forward,.

BN

Bertie Norman posted:

Robert,

It doesn't change anything else. If you open LMS (web control) in your browser, you need to tick the box to install Spotty  . Click apply and LMS will restart. Then remove the official Spotify app and protocol handler. Click apply and restart LMS. Then go to the advanced tab and from the drop down menu in top left corneer select Spotty and put in your user name and password. Should be job done. I am not technical at all and got into a real mess trying to stream high quality BBc radio but this one is very straight forward,.

BN

Hi Bertie,

Many thanks for the information. However, I admit to feeling a bit dense lol. I've done all of the above but I'm having problems getting spotty onto my touch as an app (it appears of LMS no problem - even managed to put my username and password in but doesn't feature as an available app on the touch). More often than not LMS can't see my player so I'm wondering if it's not synchronising - I think I've only got the payer recognised once and I can't remember what I did to achieve this! I admit to playing guesswork with all of the settings and don't really know what I'm doing lol. I was wondering if you have any gems of knowledge. 

Many thanks in advance,

Robert

Whoops I forgot a step - sorry - you need to go to app gallery on the SBT and intall spotty from there - does it appear in the list of 3rd party apps?

BN

Hi there,

Many thanks for the reply. Well I've managed to get spotty working (showing up as one of my apps on the SBT and playing music) but only when the SBT is using my laptop as its chosen library (I guess it's available through my wireless network). As soon as I switch to using my SBT USB drive as the chosen library the app dissapears from everything - not available as one of my apps nor on the list of third part apps and the music stops but the music on my USB drive is available again

I feel that I'm missing something fairly simple but fundamental but for the life of me I can't see anything and am starting to think that spotty is not compatible with my USB hard drive...

All the best, 

Robert

I've started using a Yamaha WXAD10 to stream from my NAS. It costs £149 and can do Spotify from what the interface says (dont use it myself). It's a nice bit of kit. 

Thanks PG - looks good though unfortunately I wouldn't be able to use my usb hard drive with the Yamaha and would have to switch to a NAS... maybe something I should do anyway though I seem to remember something about the SBT being a bit temperamental about NAS compatability. I feel a google chromecast audio coming on lol.

All the best,

Robert

I think that Spotty needs access to LMS to work. I believe that the old official spotify app worked via mysqueezebox.com so wasn't dependent on a computer. I think that when you use a usb drive connected directly to the SBT it is using the software on the SBT and not linking with the laptop. I assume that if your computer is off then you can still play music from your usb drive. 

BN

Bertie Norman posted:

I think that Spotty needs access to LMS to work. I believe that the old official spotify app worked via mysqueezebox.com so wasn't dependent on a computer. I think that when you use a usb drive connected directly to the SBT it is using the software on the SBT and not linking with the laptop. I assume that if your computer is off then you can still play music from your usb drive. 

BN

Hi there,

Yes, that seems to make sense and would fully explain my experience - shame though lol. Looks like I'll have to invest a little money and try out the chromecast audio or something similar. Many thanks for all your help and advice, it is very much appreciated!

Best wishes,

Robert

Robert, you can always just switch libraries when you want to use Spotty - although that will of course mean leaving the PC on.

BN

Hi Bertie,

Yeah, unfortunately the only working computer is the family laptop so is unavailable for long term spotty use. I do have an old pc that I used to run Vortexbox on but eventually died - I could try to resurrect that. I also have a working raspberry pi but I'm a bit reluctant to dive into all that goes with that lol.

Best wishes,

Robert

Robert,

Chromecast is the best solution then. I would be interested in how you find the sound quality compared to the SBT for Spotify. I have been thinking of buying one and trying it out - but I keep going and buying CDs to rip so never quite get round to it. Happy listening.

BN

Hi BN,

I use a Chromecast Audio with a NAC-N272 connected by optical digital.  Whilst it's not as good as the UPnP streamer in the 272, it's not that far behind.

Yes, it looses the more subtle clues in the music (orchestral timbres are a bit less well differentiated, vocals aren't quite so easy to listen to the words and the stereo image doesn't place things so precisely in distance) but overall it does a good job.  It's actually better than my Sony Blue-Ray player playing CDs, also connected via an optical digital link.