Low cost streamer for Spotify - would this idea work ?

Audiolab 7000N Play Network Streamer with DAC
argho

argho

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A friend of mine has an old Marantz amp.
He has mostly been listening to Spotify, which he streams from his phone via a cheapo Logitech Bluetooth receiver, hooked up to the amp.
Of late he has been having problems, and is looking for a better alternative.

One that could possibly give him Spotify Connect capability, but at low cost.

I had suggested the Yamaha WXC-50 but that is almost 30K.

He is looking for a solution within 5K.

Idea that came to me - not sure whether it would work :

- Buy a Mi box ( https://www.mi.com/in/mi-box-4k/ ) for Rs 3.5K

- Connect to TV via HDMI, and perform setup. Log into wifi

- Change audio output in Mi Box to SPDIF (ie optical)

- Disconnect from TV (the TV is in a different room). Move the Mi Box to the living room and connect to Amp via SPDIF.

- Remove HDMI cable completely


Theoretically, this should now show us as a destination for Chromecast, as well as for Spotify connect.
It becomes a full fledged Spotify streamer for Rs 3.5K.

Any idea whether this would work ?

Has anyone tried ?
 
argho said:
A friend of mine has an old Marantz amp.
He has mostly been listening to Spotify, which he streams from his phone via a cheapo Logitech Bluetooth receiver, hooked up to the amp.
Of late he has been having problems, and is looking for a better alternative.

One that could possibly give him Spotify Connect capability, but at low cost.

I had suggested the Yamaha WXC-50 but that is almost 30K.

He is looking for a solution within 5K.

Idea that came to me - not sure whether it would work :

- Buy a Mi box ( https://www.mi.com/in/mi-box-4k/ ) for Rs 3.5K

- Connect to TV via HDMI, and perform setup. Log into wifi

- Change audio output in Mi Box to SPDIF (ie optical)

- Disconnect from TV (the TV is in a different room). Move the Mi Box to the living room and connect to Amp via SPDIF.

- Remove HDMI cable completely


Theoretically, this should now show us as a destination for Chromecast, as well as for Spotify connect.
It becomes a full fledged Spotify streamer for Rs 3.5K.

Any idea whether this would work ?

Has anyone tried ?
Click to expand...
This would work

And i don't appreciate the Logitech Bluetooth receiver being called cheapo. 13 years and still going strong.
 
preth30 said:
If he can stretch a bit more, there is one by DNM. It will cost you less than 9k. The inbuilt DAC is not good. But you can connect it to an external DAC and then it is pretty good for the price.

Click to expand...

The Marantz has a good dac built in (its a Marantz CR-603).

Honestly dont see any difference between this DNM box and the Mi Box.
 
Ask him to buy an echo dot 3 or 4, frequently priced 1800-2500k. Connect the line out to the amp.
If his spotify account is connected to his Alexa account, he can not only play his music using his mobile but directly by voice as well. Will also play Amazon music/Apple music.
 
deepaksood said:
Ask him to buy an echo dot 3 or 4, frequently priced 1800-2500k. Connect the line out to the amp.
If his spotify account is connected to his Alexa account, he can not only play his music using his mobile but directly by voice as well. Will also play Amazon music/Apple music.
Click to expand...

Thought of that as well.

The difference I feel, is that the Mi Box gives an optical output, and therefore can use the Marantz Dac.

The Echo dot will give an analog output, and therefore use the Echo's DAC, which is not great.

But agree that the Echo will provide more flexibility - Amazon music etc.

Any views on the Echo DAC ?

I have personally not been impressed when I connected my Echo to my system.
 
argho said:
A friend of mine has an old Marantz amp.
He has mostly been listening to Spotify, which he streams from his phone via a cheapo Logitech Bluetooth receiver, hooked up to the amp.
Of late he has been having problems, and is looking for a better alternative.
Click to expand...
Why not use an AUX cable and connect the PH directly to the AMP?
 
OM_2K19 said:
Something like this makes sense?
www.apple.com

Buy USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter

The USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter lets you connect a standard 3.5mm audio plug to your USB-C devices. Perfect for headphones or speakers.
www.apple.com
Click to expand...

Agree this would work, and its a really inexpensive solution.

However, I dont the sound quality will be good. The DAC in the cable will be used.

I have a USB-C to 3.5mm cable at home, Will try out.

Thanks.
 
argho said:
Agree this would work, and its a really inexpensive solution.

However, I dont the sound quality will be good. The DAC in the cable will be used.

I have a USB-C to 3.5mm cable at home, Will try out.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Look up the tempotec sonata hd. Use it for this purpose. Works well. Not good for calls but great for music. Picked it up used for ~1k
 
argho said:
Thought of that as well.

The difference I feel, is that the Mi Box gives an optical output, and therefore can use the Marantz Dac.

The Echo dot will give an analog output, and therefore use the Echo's DAC, which is not great.
Click to expand...
The Marantz DAC would be better.
argho said:
But agree that the Echo will provide more flexibility - Amazon music etc.

Any views on the Echo DAC ?

I have personally not been impressed when I connected my Echo to my system.
Click to expand...
It's not meant for hifi and is just about adequate for the inbuilt speakers.
 
deepaksood said:
Ask him to buy an echo dot 3 or 4, frequently priced 1800-2500k. Connect the line out to the amp.
If his spotify account is connected to his Alexa account, he can not only play his music using his mobile but directly by voice as well. Will also play Amazon music/Apple music.
Click to expand...
argho said:
Thought of that as well.

The difference I feel, is that the Mi Box gives an optical output, and therefore can use the Marantz Dac.

The Echo dot will give an analog output, and therefore use the Echo's DAC, which is not great.

But agree that the Echo will provide more flexibility - Amazon music etc.

Any views on the Echo DAC ?

I have personally not been impressed when I connected my Echo to my system.
Click to expand...
You can still use voice commands through the mibox, albeit with the remote and not entirely hands free.
 
preth30 said:
There is an optical out put in it.
View attachment 57201
Click to expand...
Thanks. I am glad to be corrected. How does it work?
I was using a Bluesound node 2 that suddenly died last week. I am looking for a replacement. This sounds like a good choice for a very reasonable cost.
grateful for Any feedback on the ease of set up, suggestions on connecting to an external DAC, stability of connection and user interface ...
 
chander said:
I added the link - I am just quoting what I saw :) The link says Rs.844. Unless they are trying to lure us in like the airlines. Delivery charges of Rs.2500 at the checkout maybe :p
Click to expand...
Listed but out of stock in all the pin codes I checked. Maybe a specific store has leftover stock
 
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