Replacement for Squeezebox/slimserver

[Thump553]

My favorite piece of audio equipment by far is my Squeezebox 2, but which I listen to audio (FLAC files) from my computer over my audio system. My Squeezebox is probably five years old or so. Logitech bought them out, promoted the product for a while, then dumped it so you can't buy any more expect for highly inflated prices on ebay.

Someday I'm going to have to replace it. My current receiver is ancient by today's standards-while it is 5.1 it doesn't even have HDMI. The receiver has a slight hum, I'm thinking that's going to have to be replaced soon.

My question is this-do any modern receivers have the built-in ability to stream FLAC files from a network? My main requirements are FLAC streaming, ability to play audio in two different rooms at once, and 5.1 setup, moderate price ($500 tops). Does such a beast exist?

 

[poofyhairguy]

What you want is a Sonos, at least how you describe it at least.

With that said, if you want a bridge to that day Kodi can be a Squeezebox client:

http://kodi.wiki/view/Add-on:XSqueeze

 

[Thump553]

I was afraid of that. As I recall a Sonos is like five times as expensive as the Squeezebox was and doesn't really do anything different.

I was hoping the ability to read FLAC files would be built into receivers by now. Hopefully it will be down the road.

 

[poofyhairguy]

It sucks, I wish someone else would get into the space other than Sonos and Denon.

 

[_Rick_]

Bumping this old thread, because this is a recurring issue for myself.

The best (?) replacement is by using one of a number of software clients on cheap hardware and building DIY stuff. You lose millisecond precision when syncing multiple devices, but that's about it, everything else works.
Raspberry Pis in particular are frequently used in this role.