Hello, I’m trying to help a friend set up a basic but decent SQ streaming in his home. He’s 75 and is not technologically inclined so I’m soliciting advice on possible options for a low maintenance set up.
He has a Denon Network receiver in his home currently.
If I understand the specs he has streaming capabilities in this receiver but I’m not certain.
My initial plan is to buy a USB external drive and put a copy of my library on it and plug it in to his receiver. I assume the DLNA sw in the receiver can read this music. Not sure.
The receiver has a network/ethernet connection so I’m considering a NAS drive but that may require too much maintenance for him.
He’s up to spending some money on a separate streamer if we need to.
Would appreciate some advice on some options to get him up and running. Thanks in advance.
To be honest, IMO if you want something simple, I really wouldn’t bother with streaming locally. Adding a NAS/USB drive/Ripping CDs adds so much complexity. Software updates alone can be confusing. Even if you are around to help initially, you may not always be.
Adding a USB drive might be a simple option, but no no to NAS
My solution would be to get a streamer that will connect to Tidal and/or Quobuz, then get a subscription (I think the Denon will do that). Then there is just one app to manage
One of the Wiim products, with an attached usb drive if local files are wanted? (I don’t know enough about them to be able to recommend, hence the question mark.)
My experience of trying to play files from a USB stick or hard drive to a Denon receiver has been far from simple. Rather more basic model, only recognises WMA or MP3. I was trying to demonstrate to a friend who owns a second hand unit, so with a new stick I ripped just three CDs. They showed as expected on the PC and in Bubble upnp when plugged into my Melco.
With the Denon it refused to show folders, just showed file 1;1;1;2;2;2 etc no song titles.
The click button tiny screen reminiscent of a basic car entertainment system.
I would be looking for an alternative system.
As suggested, best way to stream is to get an Amazon/Qobuz/etc account and a dedicated streamer/dac such as Wiim or Node. Analogue out and in to the Denon with phono leads. App on the phone and away you go. World radio and good sound quality from your streaming service. This assumes he has wifi and internet in the house.
Thanks for the suggestions. We’re not interested in a subscription solution at this point but may consider it in the future.
Next steps will be to try the USB connection to the “back up” copy of my library and see how that goes.
Will consider some of the streamer options suggested here if necessary. I also have a 272 that I’m not using I could repurpose but I think it’ll likely too finicky to be an option.
