Re: Speaking of batterys?

[Dane Trethowan]

Given the battery is a lithium-ion battery it would be pretty standard 
there. The problem is the molding on the battery to fit the Victor 
Reader shell.  You could try and get cheaper batteries but where these 
type of batteries are concerned you could be inviting absolute disaster.


I'm sure you've read the reports of batteries catching fire? We're 
talking about the same kind of batteries as used in the Victor Reader 
Stream first generation.


If I were you I would consider either of the following options, abandon 
the Victor Reader Stream first generation entirely and use something 
else or swallow my pride and buy another battery from Humanware, you 
might pay a pretty penny but at least you can sleep soundly knowing you 
have a good quality battery replacement in your device.




On 22/08/2016 10:30 AM, Brian Olesen wrote:

Hi folks,

Well has someone found a cheeper alternative to the battery in a Victor
Reader first generation?

I believe it's some sort of a standard battery as it's quite expensive to
get a such manufactured just for the sake of monopoly. Grin

  


Best regards

Brian

  

Re: SV: The evolution of Spotify

[Dane Trethowan]

Yes point taken as the Spotify App for Windows - as far as I know - 
isn't accessible.


I don't like having to sit at my computer listening to radio , 
given that I didn't take the accessibility of the Windows nor the Mac 
App into account.


I've not tried the Android App as yet but it would appear that plenty of 
work has gone into the IOS App which I used but even then, using Spotify 
on IOS wasn't really the goal of the exercise for me.


I have quite a few "Spotify Connect" devices and it was those I wanted 
to get going, one can control Spotify from such devices which include 
many of the Sangean Internet radios available today, Sonos as you've 
mentioned, Bose Soundtouch series and so on.


Many of the AVR Receivers available now also have Spotify Connect built-in.



On 22/08/2016 10:24 AM, Brian Olesen wrote:

Hi Dane,
Although spotify seam to work nice on Sonos and iOS it's still a very 
complicated matter to use with an ordinary pc.
Shame on them.
Therefor I whent appleMusic.

Brian

-Oprindelig meddelelse-
Fra: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] På vegne af Dane Trethowan
Sendt: 21. august 2016 22:09
Til: PC Audio Discussion List 
Emne: The evolution of Spotify

Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform in a
good while - and you like your music just the way you want it and not
how your local radio station wants it - then take a good look at the
modern Spotify.

I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it before
today but the changes are numerous and these changes have really given
me something to think about regarding the other Music services I'm
subscribed to, it might very well be that you'll find that Spotify will
provide your each and every need for your music listening habits.
particularly if you're a Spotify Premium user.

I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found accessibility
to be first class.

Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify through a
Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.

Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify from
the Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then opened the
Spotify App from Undok and used the Connect icon at the bottom of the
screen to locate the radio, the music started playing through it when I
double-tapped the "Play" icon.

Re: SV: The evolution of Spotify

[Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona]

ah damn I was hoping that it would be easy to use on the pc

is there such a music service besides apple music that allow you to 
download stuff fore offline playback?



On 8/21/2016 5:24 PM, Brian Olesen wrote:

Hi Dane,
Although spotify seam to work nice on Sonos and iOS it's still a very 
complicated matter to use with an ordinary pc.
Shame on them.
Therefor I whent appleMusic.

Brian

-Oprindelig meddelelse-
Fra: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] På vegne af Dane Trethowan
Sendt: 21. august 2016 22:09
Til: PC Audio Discussion List 
Emne: The evolution of Spotify

Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform in a
good while - and you like your music just the way you want it and not
how your local radio station wants it - then take a good look at the
modern Spotify.

I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it before
today but the changes are numerous and these changes have really given
me something to think about regarding the other Music services I'm
subscribed to, it might very well be that you'll find that Spotify will
provide your each and every need for your music listening habits.
particularly if you're a Spotify Premium user.

I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found accessibility
to be first class.

Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify through a
Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.

Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify from
the Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then opened the
Spotify App from Undok and used the Connect icon at the bottom of the
screen to locate the radio, the music started playing through it when I
double-tapped the "Play" icon.

Speaking of batterys?

[Brian Olesen]

Hi folks,

Well has someone found a cheeper alternative to the battery in a Victor
Reader first generation?

I believe it's some sort of a standard battery as it's quite expensive to
get a such manufactured just for the sake of monopoly. Grin

 

Best regards

Brian

 

SV: The evolution of Spotify

[Brian Olesen]

Hi Dane,
Although spotify seam to work nice on Sonos and iOS it's still a very 
complicated matter to use with an ordinary pc.
Shame on them.
Therefor I whent appleMusic.

Brian

-Oprindelig meddelelse-
Fra: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] På vegne af Dane Trethowan
Sendt: 21. august 2016 22:09
Til: PC Audio Discussion List 
Emne: The evolution of Spotify

Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform in a 
good while - and you like your music just the way you want it and not 
how your local radio station wants it - then take a good look at the 
modern Spotify.

I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it before 
today but the changes are numerous and these changes have really given 
me something to think about regarding the other Music services I'm 
subscribed to, it might very well be that you'll find that Spotify will 
provide your each and every need for your music listening habits. 
particularly if you're a Spotify Premium user.

I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found accessibility 
to be first class.

Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify through a 
Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.

Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify from 
the Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then opened the 
Spotify App from Undok and used the Connect icon at the bottom of the 
screen to locate the radio, the music started playing through it when I 
double-tapped the "Play" icon.

Re: Desktop computer speakers

[Dane Trethowan]

Always interested to hear about that sort of thing given one of my 
favourite hobbies is streaming audio/video about the house.


There are dozens of similar devices about the place, I saw something 
similar to what you described, the dongle plugs into the USB port as 
yours does and from there it acts as a Sound Device so you output your 
Software player - VLC for example - or set it to a system default sound 
device.


The difference with this device and yours is that you use a FM tuner to 
receive the output.


Common place yes I hear you cry but the difference with this USB 
transmitter was that the frequency range went down to 76MHZ therefore 
not all tuners could easily receive it obviously but there are a hell of 
a lot of radios and tuners that do go down that far.


The obvious advantage of using a frequency below 88MHZ is that its not 
likely to enterfere with anything else.


Quality wasn't as good as other streaming methods I use but still, its 
better than nothing at all.




On 22/08/2016 8:22 AM, Kulvinder Singh Bhogal wrote:

Hi there

If I may just put my pence worth in here and mention a wireless solution that I 
have used for a year or two now and it is a USB digital audio sender from Lyndy 
Electronics, excuse the spelling since it has been a while.

The USB dongle plugs in to any available port and the receiver wires up via RCA 
or quarter or eighth jack in to any amp that you have with the relevant 
connecters on it.

Hope this is of use to those of you who still, like me, have equipment that has 
stood the test of time, smiles.

Regards.

Kulvinder Bhogal
E-mail: kbhog...@btinternet.com
Facetime: kulvinder.bho...@techie.com 
Skypename: bobba2006


On 21 Aug 2016, at 22:33, Dane Trethowan  wrote:

That's true it doesn't so you have a clear choice, go vintage and try to 
integrate the modern standards or just use modern equipment which integrates.



On 22/08/2016 6:22 AM, Byron Stephens wrote:

That doesn't help someone who wants to go the other way and go vintage and use 
a system like the sx1980 from pioneer or the marantz 2500. And there is a 
dealer here in vancouver that sells and repairs all that stuff. I've fallen off 
the wagon by design.
- Original Message - From: "Dane Trethowan" 
To: "PC Audio Discussion List" 
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2016 1:18 PM
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers



I think one of the greatest advances for connecting AVR equipment to a computer 
is probably one of the simplist to understand for the average user and that's 
the HDMI connection, say connect your computer to a HDMI input on your 
modern-day AVR equipment, choose the HDMI output from your computer, select the 
appropriate HDMI input on your AVR system and that's it! no multiple leads to 
connect from your computers sound card or device, no multiple settings to worry 
about and no accessibility issues going through a control panel or App of a 
Sound device.



On 22/08/2016 6:14 AM, Andy wrote:

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't going to 
happen is it?

Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV units or 
amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's only people 
like us who may know a little about these things that gain the benefits.

One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be able 
to play audio from any device through your home system, without even thinking 
about it.

I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these 
threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.

Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and you 
could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it and edit it 
and post it again without any effort whatsoever!




- Original Message - From: "John Gurd" 
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop speakers 
for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to are an exception. 
But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.

My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so instead 
I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours minus the PC.

Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound cards 
each going through a sound mixer and then output through an amplifier and 
stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to broadcast on internet 
radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things went wrong with my main machine 
which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've simplified things since then getting rid 
of redundant 

Re: The evolution of Spotify

[Dane Trethowan]

That's the topic I'm thinking about yes.

I've listened to "Soft Rock" in the background on Spotify for 3 hours 
this morning and not one repeat, wish I could say the same for Radiotunes.
The quality is slightly better with Spotify, not as processed sound but 
both are very good.
I'm subscribed to radiotunes and Spotify so I think I'll keep both for 
the moment and be blessed that I have both Spotify and Radiotunes at my 
service though I don't think I'll be bothering with Pandora any longer.


On 22/08/2016 7:41 AM, Mary Otten wrote:

  Hi Jane, I know you are a RadioTunes subscriber. Are you considering dumping that in 
favor of Spotify? My brief look at Spotify recently let me to believe that RadioTunes was 
going to offer a greater variety of "radio stations" such as several classical 
and several smooth jazz. It look like Spotify just had one for each genre, which isn't 
enough. Of course I know you can do artists and albums etc. But if I just want a genre 
playing in the background while I can't necessarily access the phone, I think I'll still 
keep radio tunes.
Mary


Sent from my iPhone


On Aug 21, 2016, at 1:08 PM, Dane Trethowan  wrote:

Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform in a good 
while - and you like your music just the way you want it and not how your local 
radio station wants it - then take a good look at the modern Spotify.

I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it before today but 
the changes are numerous and these changes have really given me something to 
think about regarding the other Music services I'm subscribed to, it might very 
well be that you'll find that Spotify will provide your each and every need for 
your music listening habits. particularly if you're a Spotify Premium user.

I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found accessibility to be 
first class.

Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify through a 
Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.

Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify from the Source list for 
the radio using the Undok App, I then opened the Spotify App from Undok and used the 
Connect icon at the bottom of the screen to locate the radio, the music started playing 
through it when I double-tapped the "Play" icon.

Re: Desktop computer speakers

[Kulvinder Singh Bhogal]

Hi there

If I may just put my pence worth in here and mention a wireless solution that I 
have used for a year or two now and it is a USB digital audio sender from Lyndy 
Electronics, excuse the spelling since it has been a while.

The USB dongle plugs in to any available port and the receiver wires up via RCA 
or quarter or eighth jack in to any amp that you have with the relevant 
connecters on it.

Hope this is of use to those of you who still, like me, have equipment that has 
stood the test of time, smiles.

Regards.

Kulvinder Bhogal
E-mail: kbhog...@btinternet.com
Facetime: kulvinder.bho...@techie.com 
Skypename: bobba2006

> On 21 Aug 2016, at 22:33, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> That's true it doesn't so you have a clear choice, go vintage and try to 
> integrate the modern standards or just use modern equipment which integrates.
> 
> 
> 
> On 22/08/2016 6:22 AM, Byron Stephens wrote:
>> That doesn't help someone who wants to go the other way and go vintage and 
>> use a system like the sx1980 from pioneer or the marantz 2500. And there is 
>> a dealer here in vancouver that sells and repairs all that stuff. I've 
>> fallen off the wagon by design.
>> - Original Message - From: "Dane Trethowan" 
>> 
>> To: "PC Audio Discussion List" 
>> Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2016 1:18 PM
>> Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers
>> 
>> 
>>> I think one of the greatest advances for connecting AVR equipment to a 
>>> computer is probably one of the simplist to understand for the average user 
>>> and that's the HDMI connection, say connect your computer to a HDMI input 
>>> on your modern-day AVR equipment, choose the HDMI output from your 
>>> computer, select the appropriate HDMI input on your AVR system and that's 
>>> it! no multiple leads to connect from your computers sound card or device, 
>>> no multiple settings to worry about and no accessibility issues going 
>>> through a control panel or App of a Sound device.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 22/08/2016 6:14 AM, Andy wrote:
 Hi again John.
 
 God, it's getting even more complicated eh?
 
 I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't going 
 to happen is it?
 
 Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV units 
 or amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's only 
 people like us who may know a little about these things that gain the 
 benefits.
 
 One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be 
 able to play audio from any device through your home system, without even 
 thinking about it.
 
 I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these 
 threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.
 
 Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and you 
 could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it and 
 edit it and post it again without any effort whatsoever!
 
 
 
 
 - Original Message - From: "John Gurd" 
 To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
 Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
 Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers
 
 
 Hi Andy,
 That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop 
 speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to are 
 an exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.
 
 My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so 
 instead I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours 
 minus the PC.
 
 Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound 
 cards each going through a sound mixer and then output through an 
 amplifier and stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to 
 broadcast on internet radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things went 
 wrong with my main machine which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've 
 simplified things since then getting rid of redundant equipment. I now 
 have one of the few self-amplified 5.1 systems that can plug into a sound 
 card without an amplifier. I also use a splitter to a little transmitter 
 that lets me use the old-style wireless headphones and portable speakers 
 so I can have audio from my PC in other rooms. The Logitec Z5500 5.1 
 speakers sound reasonable for their price and age but as they're quite 
 elderly I want something better.
 
 I was hoping to keep it simple but if I wanted to keep a 5.1 set up in my 
 PC den you are probably right and I would have to think about an amp or 
 receiver. It would also allow me to get the best out of my small 
 collection of PC-based HD recordings. To be 

Re: The evolution of Spotify

[Mary Otten]

 Hi Jane, I know you are a RadioTunes subscriber. Are you considering dumping 
that in favor of Spotify? My brief look at Spotify recently let me to believe 
that RadioTunes was going to offer a greater variety of "radio stations" such 
as several classical and several smooth jazz. It look like Spotify just had one 
for each genre, which isn't enough. Of course I know you can do artists and 
albums etc. But if I just want a genre playing in the background while I can't 
necessarily access the phone, I think I'll still keep radio tunes.
Mary


Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 21, 2016, at 1:08 PM, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> Hi!
> 
> If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform in a good 
> while - and you like your music just the way you want it and not how your 
> local radio station wants it - then take a good look at the modern Spotify.
> 
> I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it before today 
> but the changes are numerous and these changes have really given me something 
> to think about regarding the other Music services I'm subscribed to, it might 
> very well be that you'll find that Spotify will provide your each and every 
> need for your music listening habits. particularly if you're a Spotify 
> Premium user.
> 
> I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found accessibility to be 
> first class.
> 
> Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify through a 
> Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.
> 
> Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify from the 
> Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then opened the Spotify App 
> from Undok and used the Connect icon at the bottom of the screen to locate 
> the radio, the music started playing through it when I double-tapped the 
> "Play" icon.
> 
> 
> 

Re: Desktop computer speakers

[Dane Trethowan]

That's true it doesn't so you have a clear choice, go vintage and try to 
integrate the modern standards or just use modern equipment which 
integrates.




On 22/08/2016 6:22 AM, Byron Stephens wrote:
That doesn't help someone who wants to go the other way and go vintage 
and use a system like the sx1980 from pioneer or the marantz 2500. And 
there is a dealer here in vancouver that sells and repairs all that 
stuff. I've fallen off the wagon by design.
- Original Message - From: "Dane Trethowan" 


To: "PC Audio Discussion List" 
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2016 1:18 PM
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers


I think one of the greatest advances for connecting AVR equipment to 
a computer is probably one of the simplist to understand for the 
average user and that's the HDMI connection, say connect your 
computer to a HDMI input on your modern-day AVR equipment, choose the 
HDMI output from your computer, select the appropriate HDMI input on 
your AVR system and that's it! no multiple leads to connect from your 
computers sound card or device, no multiple settings to worry about 
and no accessibility issues going through a control panel or App of a 
Sound device.




On 22/08/2016 6:14 AM, Andy wrote:

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't 
going to happen is it?


Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV 
units or amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and 
it's only people like us who may know a little about these things 
that gain the benefits.


One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology 
, be able to play audio from any device through your home system, 
without even thinking about it.


I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all 
these threads together and with every year, it's getting even more 
complicated.


Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound 
and you could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen 
to it and edit it and post it again without any effort whatsoever!





- Original Message - From: "John Gurd" 
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop 
speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked 
to are an exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a 
possibility.


My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so 
instead I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to 
yours minus the PC.


Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 
sound cards each going through a sound mixer and then output through 
an amplifier and stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used 
to broadcast on internet radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when 
things went wrong with my main machine which sometimes happened. 
Anyway, I've simplified things since then getting rid of redundant 
equipment. I now have one of the few self-amplified 5.1 systems that 
can plug into a sound card without an amplifier. I also use a 
splitter to a little transmitter that lets me use the old-style 
wireless headphones and portable speakers so I can have audio from 
my PC in other rooms. The Logitec Z5500 5.1 speakers sound 
reasonable for their price and age but as they're quite elderly I 
want something better.


I was hoping to keep it simple but if I wanted to keep a 5.1 set up 
in my PC den you are probably right and I would have to think about 
an amp or receiver. It would also allow me to get the best out of my 
small collection of PC-based HD recordings. To be honest though 
although it's nice having the ability of outputting music in a 5.1 
virtual mix like Dolby PL2 I spend less time than I used to doing 
that and I usually go to the living room for movies in surround 
sound, so maybe a good stereo speaker set up would do.


I've used the external Sound Blaster USB X-Fi in the past. I've 
always liked the Creative Sound Blaster range and their latest top 
card is an internal one called the ZX. I use it and it's great! The 
reason I gave up the external card was it could only handle 5.1 if 
it was compressed to a lower bitrate. I think when USB3 becomes 
standard with HDMI out this will no longer be an issue for external 
cards. Optical toslink connections inherently can't handle 5.1 
channels without reducing the sound quality. They are fine for 
stereo though.


Anyway, I'll definitely consider the configuration you suggest. I'm 
even thinking of testing a Sonos Connect (which lives in the 
Livingroom system) as an experiment and connecting it to my PC. It 
has a line in as well as out and therefore could carry audio from my 
PC simultaneously to my room speakers 

Re: The evolution of Spotify

[Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona]

this is true


On 8/21/2016 2:16 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:
Wouldn 't have a clue, I know you can't see it but who cares! so long 
as you can hear it offline.




On 22/08/2016 6:53 AM, Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona wrote:

is it protected mp3's


On 8/21/2016 1:51 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:

MP3



On 22/08/2016 6:37 AM, Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona wrote:

what file format does it use?


On 8/21/2016 1:35 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:

Certainly.



On 22/08/2016 6:33 AM, Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona wrote:
also can you download playlist to desktop fore offline content? 
if so also what is the quality like?


thanks
Hank

On 8/21/2016 1:26 PM, Evan Reese wrote:

Sounds great. How's the audio quality of what you're listening to?
Evan

-Original Message- From: Dane Trethowan Sent: Sunday, 
August 21, 2016 4:08 PM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: 
The evolution of Spotify

Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform 
in a good while - and you like your music just the way you want 
it and not how your local radio station wants it - then take a 
good look at the modern Spotify.


I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it 
before today but the changes are numerous and these changes have 
really given me something to think about regarding the other 
Music services I'm subscribed to, it might very well be that 
you'll find that Spotify will provide your each and every need 
for your music listening habits. particularly if you're a 
Spotify Premium user.


I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found 
accessibility to be first class.


Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify 
through a Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable 
radio.


Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify 
from the Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then 
opened the Spotify App from Undok and used the Connect icon at 
the bottom of the screen to locate the radio, the music started 
playing through it when I double-tapped the "Play" icon.

Re: The evolution of Spotify

[Dane Trethowan]

Wouldn 't have a clue, I know you can't see it but who cares! so long as 
you can hear it offline.




On 22/08/2016 6:53 AM, Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona wrote:

is it protected mp3's


On 8/21/2016 1:51 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:

MP3



On 22/08/2016 6:37 AM, Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona wrote:

what file format does it use?


On 8/21/2016 1:35 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:

Certainly.



On 22/08/2016 6:33 AM, Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona wrote:
also can you download playlist to desktop fore offline content? if 
so also what is the quality like?


thanks
Hank

On 8/21/2016 1:26 PM, Evan Reese wrote:

Sounds great. How's the audio quality of what you're listening to?
Evan

-Original Message- From: Dane Trethowan Sent: Sunday, 
August 21, 2016 4:08 PM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: The 
evolution of Spotify

Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform 
in a good while - and you like your music just the way you want 
it and not how your local radio station wants it - then take a 
good look at the modern Spotify.


I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it 
before today but the changes are numerous and these changes have 
really given me something to think about regarding the other 
Music services I'm subscribed to, it might very well be that 
you'll find that Spotify will provide your each and every need 
for your music listening habits. particularly if you're a Spotify 
Premium user.


I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found 
accessibility to be first class.


Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify 
through a Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.


Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify 
from the Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then 
opened the Spotify App from Undok and used the Connect icon at 
the bottom of the screen to locate the radio, the music started 
playing through it when I double-tapped the "Play" icon.

Re: The evolution of Spotify

[Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona]

is it protected mp3's


On 8/21/2016 1:51 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:

MP3



On 22/08/2016 6:37 AM, Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona wrote:

what file format does it use?


On 8/21/2016 1:35 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:

Certainly.



On 22/08/2016 6:33 AM, Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona wrote:
also can you download playlist to desktop fore offline content? if 
so also what is the quality like?


thanks
Hank

On 8/21/2016 1:26 PM, Evan Reese wrote:

Sounds great. How's the audio quality of what you're listening to?
Evan

-Original Message- From: Dane Trethowan Sent: Sunday, 
August 21, 2016 4:08 PM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: The 
evolution of Spotify

Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform 
in a good while - and you like your music just the way you want it 
and not how your local radio station wants it - then take a good 
look at the modern Spotify.


I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it 
before today but the changes are numerous and these changes have 
really given me something to think about regarding the other Music 
services I'm subscribed to, it might very well be that you'll find 
that Spotify will provide your each and every need for your music 
listening habits. particularly if you're a Spotify Premium user.


I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found 
accessibility to be first class.


Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify 
through a Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.


Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify 
from the Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then 
opened the Spotify App from Undok and used the Connect icon at the 
bottom of the screen to locate the radio, the music started 
playing through it when I double-tapped the "Play" icon.

Re: The evolution of Spotify

[Dane Trethowan]

MP3



On 22/08/2016 6:37 AM, Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona wrote:

what file format does it use?


On 8/21/2016 1:35 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:

Certainly.



On 22/08/2016 6:33 AM, Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona wrote:
also can you download playlist to desktop fore offline content? if 
so also what is the quality like?


thanks
Hank

On 8/21/2016 1:26 PM, Evan Reese wrote:

Sounds great. How's the audio quality of what you're listening to?
Evan

-Original Message- From: Dane Trethowan Sent: Sunday, 
August 21, 2016 4:08 PM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: The 
evolution of Spotify

Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform in 
a good while - and you like your music just the way you want it and 
not how your local radio station wants it - then take a good look 
at the modern Spotify.


I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it 
before today but the changes are numerous and these changes have 
really given me something to think about regarding the other Music 
services I'm subscribed to, it might very well be that you'll find 
that Spotify will provide your each and every need for your music 
listening habits. particularly if you're a Spotify Premium user.


I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found 
accessibility to be first class.


Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify 
through a Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.


Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify 
from the Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then 
opened the Spotify App from Undok and used the Connect icon at the 
bottom of the screen to locate the radio, the music started playing 
through it when I double-tapped the "Play" icon.

Re: Desktop computer speakers

[Andy]

Yes, I agre so much
- Original Message - 
From: "Dane Trethowan" 

To: "PC Audio Discussion List" 
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2016 9:18 PM
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers


I think one of the greatest advances for connecting AVR equipment to a 
computer is probably one of the simplist to understand for the average user 
and that's the HDMI connection, say connect your computer to a HDMI input 
on your modern-day AVR equipment, choose the HDMI output from your 
computer, select the appropriate HDMI input on your AVR system and that's 
it! no multiple leads to connect from your computers sound card or device, 
no multiple settings to worry about and no accessibility issues going 
through a control panel or App of a Sound device.




On 22/08/2016 6:14 AM, Andy wrote:

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't 
going to happen is it?


Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV 
units or amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's 
only people like us who may know a little about these things that gain 
the benefits.


One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be 
able to play audio from any device through your home system, without even 
thinking about it.


I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these 
threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.


Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and 
you could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it 
and edit it and post it again without any effort whatsoever!





- Original Message - From: "John Gurd" 
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop 
speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to are 
an exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.


My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so 
instead I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours 
minus the PC.


Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound 
cards each going through a sound mixer and then output through an 
amplifier and stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to 
broadcast on internet radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things went 
wrong with my main machine which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've 
simplified things since then getting rid of redundant equipment. I now 
have one of the few self-amplified 5.1 systems that can plug into a sound 
card without an amplifier. I also use a splitter to a little transmitter 
that lets me use the old-style wireless headphones and portable speakers 
so I can have audio from my PC in other rooms. The Logitec Z5500 5.1 
speakers sound reasonable for their price and age but as they're quite 
elderly I want something better.


I was hoping to keep it simple but if I wanted to keep a 5.1 set up in my 
PC den you are probably right and I would have to think about an amp or 
receiver. It would also allow me to get the best out of my small 
collection of PC-based HD recordings. To be honest though although it's 
nice having the ability of outputting music in a 5.1 virtual mix like 
Dolby PL2 I spend less time than I used to doing that and I usually go to 
the living room for movies in surround sound, so maybe a good stereo 
speaker set up would do.


I've used the external Sound Blaster USB X-Fi in the past. I've always 
liked the Creative Sound Blaster range and their latest top card is an 
internal one called the ZX. I use it and it's great! The reason I gave up 
the external card was it could only handle 5.1 if it was compressed to a 
lower bitrate. I think when USB3 becomes standard with HDMI out this will 
no longer be an issue for external cards. Optical toslink connections 
inherently can't handle 5.1 channels without reducing the sound quality. 
They are fine for stereo though.


Anyway, I'll definitely consider the configuration you suggest. I'm even 
thinking of testing a Sonos Connect (which lives in the Livingroom 
system) as an experiment and connecting it to my PC. It has a line in as 
well as out and therefore could carry audio from my PC simultaneously to 
my room speakers and to the Sonos speakers in my bedroom. If it was 
successful I could add Sonos speakers elsewhere in the house. It has the 
added bonus of letting me use Apple Music and Amazon Prime music and 
controlling it from an iPhone app. I haven't thought this through 
properly so I'm going to experiment to see if there are any snags.


Cheers

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of 

Re: The evolution of Spotify

[Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona]

what file format does it use?


On 8/21/2016 1:35 PM, Dane Trethowan wrote:

Certainly.



On 22/08/2016 6:33 AM, Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona wrote:
also can you download playlist to desktop fore offline content? if so 
also what is the quality like?


thanks
Hank

On 8/21/2016 1:26 PM, Evan Reese wrote:

Sounds great. How's the audio quality of what you're listening to?
Evan

-Original Message- From: Dane Trethowan Sent: Sunday, August 
21, 2016 4:08 PM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: The evolution 
of Spotify

Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform in 
a good while - and you like your music just the way you want it and 
not how your local radio station wants it - then take a good look at 
the modern Spotify.


I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it before 
today but the changes are numerous and these changes have really 
given me something to think about regarding the other Music services 
I'm subscribed to, it might very well be that you'll find that 
Spotify will provide your each and every need for your music 
listening habits. particularly if you're a Spotify Premium user.


I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found 
accessibility to be first class.


Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify 
through a Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.


Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify 
from the Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then 
opened the Spotify App from Undok and used the Connect icon at the 
bottom of the screen to locate the radio, the music started playing 
through it when I double-tapped the "Play" icon.

Re: The evolution of Spotify

[Dane Trethowan]

Certainly.



On 22/08/2016 6:33 AM, Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona wrote:
also can you download playlist to desktop fore offline content? if so 
also what is the quality like?


thanks
Hank

On 8/21/2016 1:26 PM, Evan Reese wrote:

Sounds great. How's the audio quality of what you're listening to?
Evan

-Original Message- From: Dane Trethowan Sent: Sunday, August 
21, 2016 4:08 PM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: The evolution 
of Spotify

Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform in a 
good while - and you like your music just the way you want it and not 
how your local radio station wants it - then take a good look at the 
modern Spotify.


I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it before 
today but the changes are numerous and these changes have really 
given me something to think about regarding the other Music services 
I'm subscribed to, it might very well be that you'll find that 
Spotify will provide your each and every need for your music 
listening habits. particularly if you're a Spotify Premium user.


I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found 
accessibility to be first class.


Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify 
through a Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.


Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify from 
the Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then opened the 
Spotify App from Undok and used the Connect icon at the bottom of the 
screen to locate the radio, the music started playing through it when 
I double-tapped the "Play" icon.

Re: The evolution of Spotify

[Dane Trethowan]

First class, MP# at 320K I'm listening to here though as I said, I'm a 
premium subscriber and I don't think free acoutns get access to such 
high quality.




On 22/08/2016 6:26 AM, Evan Reese wrote:

Sounds great. How's the audio quality of what you're listening to?
Evan

-Original Message- From: Dane Trethowan Sent: Sunday, August 
21, 2016 4:08 PM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: The evolution 
of Spotify

Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform in a 
good while - and you like your music just the way you want it and not 
how your local radio station wants it - then take a good look at the 
modern Spotify.


I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it before 
today but the changes are numerous and these changes have really given 
me something to think about regarding the other Music services I'm 
subscribed to, it might very well be that you'll find that Spotify 
will provide your each and every need for your music listening habits. 
particularly if you're a Spotify Premium user.


I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found accessibility 
to be first class.


Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify through 
a Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.


Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify from 
the Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then opened the 
Spotify App from Undok and used the Connect icon at the bottom of the 
screen to locate the radio, the music started playing through it when 
I double-tapped the "Play" icon.

Re: The evolution of Spotify

[Hank Smith, and Seeing-eye dog Iona]

also can you download playlist to desktop fore offline content? if so 
also what is the quality like?


thanks
Hank

On 8/21/2016 1:26 PM, Evan Reese wrote:

Sounds great. How's the audio quality of what you're listening to?
Evan

-Original Message- From: Dane Trethowan Sent: Sunday, August 
21, 2016 4:08 PM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: The evolution 
of Spotify

Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform in a 
good while - and you like your music just the way you want it and not 
how your local radio station wants it - then take a good look at the 
modern Spotify.


I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it before 
today but the changes are numerous and these changes have really given 
me something to think about regarding the other Music services I'm 
subscribed to, it might very well be that you'll find that Spotify 
will provide your each and every need for your music listening habits. 
particularly if you're a Spotify Premium user.


I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found accessibility 
to be first class.


Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify through 
a Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.


Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify from 
the Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then opened the 
Spotify App from Undok and used the Connect icon at the bottom of the 
screen to locate the radio, the music started playing through it when 
I double-tapped the "Play" icon.

Re: The evolution of Spotify

[Evan Reese]

Sounds great. How's the audio quality of what you're listening to?
Evan

-Original Message- 
From: Dane Trethowan 
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2016 4:08 PM 
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: The evolution of Spotify 


Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform in a 
good while - and you like your music just the way you want it and not 
how your local radio station wants it - then take a good look at the 
modern Spotify.


I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it before 
today but the changes are numerous and these changes have really given 
me something to think about regarding the other Music services I'm 
subscribed to, it might very well be that you'll find that Spotify will 
provide your each and every need for your music listening habits. 
particularly if you're a Spotify Premium user.


I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found accessibility 
to be first class.


Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify through a 
Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.


Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify from 
the Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then opened the 
Spotify App from Undok and used the Connect icon at the bottom of the 
screen to locate the radio, the music started playing through it when I 
double-tapped the "Play" icon.

Re: Desktop computer speakers

[Byron Stephens]

That doesn't help someone who wants to go the other way and go vintage and 
use a system like the sx1980 from pioneer or the marantz 2500. And there is 
a dealer here in vancouver that sells and repairs all that stuff. I've 
fallen off the wagon by design.
- Original Message - 
From: "Dane Trethowan" 

To: "PC Audio Discussion List" 
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2016 1:18 PM
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers


I think one of the greatest advances for connecting AVR equipment to a 
computer is probably one of the simplist to understand for the average user 
and that's the HDMI connection, say connect your computer to a HDMI input 
on your modern-day AVR equipment, choose the HDMI output from your 
computer, select the appropriate HDMI input on your AVR system and that's 
it! no multiple leads to connect from your computers sound card or device, 
no multiple settings to worry about and no accessibility issues going 
through a control panel or App of a Sound device.




On 22/08/2016 6:14 AM, Andy wrote:

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't 
going to happen is it?


Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV 
units or amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's 
only people like us who may know a little about these things that gain 
the benefits.


One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be 
able to play audio from any device through your home system, without even 
thinking about it.


I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these 
threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.


Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and 
you could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it 
and edit it and post it again without any effort whatsoever!





- Original Message - From: "John Gurd" 
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop 
speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to are 
an exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.


My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so 
instead I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours 
minus the PC.


Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound 
cards each going through a sound mixer and then output through an 
amplifier and stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to 
broadcast on internet radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things went 
wrong with my main machine which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've 
simplified things since then getting rid of redundant equipment. I now 
have one of the few self-amplified 5.1 systems that can plug into a sound 
card without an amplifier. I also use a splitter to a little transmitter 
that lets me use the old-style wireless headphones and portable speakers 
so I can have audio from my PC in other rooms. The Logitec Z5500 5.1 
speakers sound reasonable for their price and age but as they're quite 
elderly I want something better.


I was hoping to keep it simple but if I wanted to keep a 5.1 set up in my 
PC den you are probably right and I would have to think about an amp or 
receiver. It would also allow me to get the best out of my small 
collection of PC-based HD recordings. To be honest though although it's 
nice having the ability of outputting music in a 5.1 virtual mix like 
Dolby PL2 I spend less time than I used to doing that and I usually go to 
the living room for movies in surround sound, so maybe a good stereo 
speaker set up would do.


I've used the external Sound Blaster USB X-Fi in the past. I've always 
liked the Creative Sound Blaster range and their latest top card is an 
internal one called the ZX. I use it and it's great! The reason I gave up 
the external card was it could only handle 5.1 if it was compressed to a 
lower bitrate. I think when USB3 becomes standard with HDMI out this will 
no longer be an issue for external cards. Optical toslink connections 
inherently can't handle 5.1 channels without reducing the sound quality. 
They are fine for stereo though.


Anyway, I'll definitely consider the configuration you suggest. I'm even 
thinking of testing a Sonos Connect (which lives in the Livingroom 
system) as an experiment and connecting it to my PC. It has a line in as 
well as out and therefore could carry audio from my PC simultaneously to 
my room speakers and to the Sonos speakers in my bedroom. If it was 
successful I could add Sonos speakers elsewhere in the house. It has the 
added bonus of letting me use Apple Music and Amazon Prime music and 

Re: Desktop computer speakers

[Dane Trethowan]

I think one of the greatest advances for connecting AVR equipment to a 
computer is probably one of the simplist to understand for the average 
user and that's the HDMI connection, say connect your computer to a HDMI 
input on your modern-day AVR equipment, choose the HDMI output from your 
computer, select the appropriate HDMI input on your AVR system and 
that's it! no multiple leads to connect from your computers sound card 
or device, no multiple settings to worry about and no accessibility 
issues going through a control panel or App of a Sound device.




On 22/08/2016 6:14 AM, Andy wrote:

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't 
going to happen is it?


Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV 
units or amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and 
it's only people like us who may know a little about these things that 
gain the benefits.


One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , 
be able to play audio from any device through your home system, 
without even thinking about it.


I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all 
these threads together and with every year, it's getting even more 
complicated.


Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and 
you could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it 
and edit it and post it again without any effort whatsoever!





- Original Message - From: "John Gurd" 
To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop 
speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to 
are an exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a 
possibility.


My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so 
instead I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours 
minus the PC.


Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound 
cards each going through a sound mixer and then output through an 
amplifier and stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to 
broadcast on internet radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things 
went wrong with my main machine which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've 
simplified things since then getting rid of redundant equipment. I now 
have one of the few self-amplified 5.1 systems that can plug into a 
sound card without an amplifier. I also use a splitter to a little 
transmitter that lets me use the old-style wireless headphones and 
portable speakers so I can have audio from my PC in other rooms. The 
Logitec Z5500 5.1 speakers sound reasonable for their price and age 
but as they're quite elderly I want something better.


I was hoping to keep it simple but if I wanted to keep a 5.1 set up in 
my PC den you are probably right and I would have to think about an 
amp or receiver. It would also allow me to get the best out of my 
small collection of PC-based HD recordings. To be honest though 
although it's nice having the ability of outputting music in a 5.1 
virtual mix like Dolby PL2 I spend less time than I used to doing that 
and I usually go to the living room for movies in surround sound, so 
maybe a good stereo speaker set up would do.


I've used the external Sound Blaster USB X-Fi in the past. I've always 
liked the Creative Sound Blaster range and their latest top card is an 
internal one called the ZX. I use it and it's great! The reason I gave 
up the external card was it could only handle 5.1 if it was compressed 
to a lower bitrate. I think when USB3 becomes standard with HDMI out 
this will no longer be an issue for external cards. Optical toslink 
connections inherently can't handle 5.1 channels without reducing the 
sound quality. They are fine for stereo though.


Anyway, I'll definitely consider the configuration you suggest. I'm 
even thinking of testing a Sonos Connect (which lives in the 
Livingroom system) as an experiment and connecting it to my PC. It has 
a line in as well as out and therefore could carry audio from my PC 
simultaneously to my room speakers and to the Sonos speakers in my 
bedroom. If it was successful I could add Sonos speakers elsewhere in 
the house. It has the added bonus of letting me use Apple Music and 
Amazon Prime music and controlling it from an iPhone app. I haven't 
thought this through properly so I'm going to experiment to see if 
there are any snags.


Cheers

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 20 August 2016 13:39
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi John.

Sorry for butting into your conversation, but I simply must tell you 
about my own experiences regarding high quality audio 

Re: Desktop computer speakers

[Andy]

Hi again John.

God, it's getting even more complicated eh?

I'd just love, like yourself, to keep it simple, but it simply isn't going 
to happen is it?


Good quality audio from computers, TV's and interfacing that with AV units 
or amps has historically resulted in multiple complexities and it's only 
people like us who may know a little about these things that gain the 
benefits.


One day you will with no understanding whatsoever  about technology , be 
able to play audio from any device through your home system, without even 
thinking about it.


I really couldn't tell you what was the best method of drawing all these 
threads together and with every year, it's getting even more complicated.


Wouldn't it be nice to buy a good computer with high quality sound and you 
could simply download audio from Itunes or otherwise, listen to it and edit 
it and post it again without any effort whatsoever!





- Original Message - 
From: "John Gurd" 

To: "'PC Audio Discussion List'" 
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2016 4:08 PM
Subject: RE: Desktop computer speakers


Hi Andy,
That's a thought which I'll have to ponder some more. I know desktop 
speakers for PC are nearly always rubbish but the ones Dane linked to are an 
exception. But a separate amp or receiver for my PC is a possibility.


My PC is in a den too as my wife banned PCs from the living room so instead 
I've got a high end set up in the Livingroom similar to yours minus the PC.


Believe it or not in my PC room/den I used to have 2 PCs with 2 sound cards 
each going through a sound mixer and then output through an amplifier and 
stereo speakers. That was in the days when I used to broadcast on internet 
radio. The 2nd PC was a backup for when things went wrong with my main 
machine which sometimes happened. Anyway, I've simplified things since then 
getting rid of redundant equipment. I now have one of the few self-amplified 
5.1 systems that can plug into a sound card without an amplifier. I also use 
a splitter to a little transmitter that lets me use the old-style wireless 
headphones and portable speakers so I can have audio from my PC in other 
rooms. The Logitec Z5500 5.1 speakers sound reasonable for their price and 
age but as they're quite elderly I want something better.


I was hoping to keep it simple but if I wanted to keep a 5.1 set up in my PC 
den you are probably right and I would have to think about an amp or 
receiver. It would also allow me to get the best out of my small collection 
of PC-based HD recordings. To be honest though although it's nice having the 
ability of outputting music in a 5.1 virtual mix like Dolby PL2 I spend less 
time than I used to doing that and I usually go to the living room for 
movies in surround sound, so maybe a good stereo speaker set up would do.


I've used the external Sound Blaster USB X-Fi in the past. I've always liked 
the Creative Sound Blaster range and their latest top card is an internal 
one called the ZX. I use it and it's great! The reason I gave up the 
external card was it could only handle 5.1 if it was compressed to a lower 
bitrate. I think when USB3 becomes standard with HDMI out this will no 
longer be an issue for external cards. Optical toslink connections 
inherently can't handle 5.1 channels without reducing the sound quality. 
They are fine for stereo though.


Anyway, I'll definitely consider the configuration you suggest. I'm even 
thinking of testing a Sonos Connect (which lives in the Livingroom system) 
as an experiment and connecting it to my PC. It has a line in as well as out 
and therefore could carry audio from my PC simultaneously to my room 
speakers and to the Sonos speakers in my bedroom. If it was successful I 
could add Sonos speakers elsewhere in the house. It has the added bonus of 
letting me use Apple Music and Amazon Prime music and controlling it from an 
iPhone app. I haven't thought this through properly so I'm going to 
experiment to see if there are any snags.


Cheers

John

-Original Message-
From: Pc-audio [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Andy
Sent: 20 August 2016 13:39
To: PC Audio Discussion List
Subject: Re: Desktop computer speakers

Hi John.

Sorry for butting into your conversation, but I simply must tell you about 
my own experiences regarding high quality audio from my computers, before 
you spend more money on desk-top speakers for your computer, that will most 
probably end up disapointing you.


Firstly, I buy most of my equipment from Richard Sound, in Jamaca Street, 
Glasgow.


I've got a very good friend called Rob Horn who used to work for them but is 
now self employed and he sets all of this stuff up for me, when I need him.


In my livingroom I have a Windows 7 computer, Soundblaster XFy sound card 
going into an Oncio AV Unit and there is also a 42 inch Philips plasma and 
Pioneer DVD recorder/player.  The 5.1 speaker system is provided by a Quad 

The evolution of Spotify

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!

If you've not taken a serious look at the Spotify Music platform in a 
good while - and you like your music just the way you want it and not 
how your local radio station wants it - then take a good look at the 
modern Spotify.


I won't go into all the changes I noticed since I last saw it before 
today but the changes are numerous and these changes have really given 
me something to think about regarding the other Music services I'm 
subscribed to, it might very well be that you'll find that Spotify will 
provide your each and every need for your music listening habits. 
particularly if you're a Spotify Premium user.


I used the Spotify IOS App to do my exploration, I found accessibility 
to be first class.


Right now I'm listening to the "Soft Rock" playlist on Spotify through a 
Spotify connect device, the Sangean WRF28D portable radio.


Connecting the device wasn't hard to do, I just selected Spotify from 
the Source list for the radio using the Undok App, I then opened the 
Spotify App from Undok and used the Connect icon at the bottom of the 
screen to locate the radio, the music started playing through it when I 
double-tapped the "Play" icon.