Want to set up a home music server, need help!

[BUTCH1]

Hello all, I have an unused computer sitting around and I want to be able to rip my CD collection to it and use a Nexus 7 to play music off it. The speakers would be of the amplified bluetooth variety, any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome. Oh, I also have a spare Linksys router lying around to use to connect, any suggestions?

 

[s44]

I run Serviio (DLNA server) controlled by the BubbleUPnP app to a separate player device... But that may be more complication than you want. I love the configurability of the server menus on Serviio though.

Do you have a Windows license? If you do, you could run the same setup with foobar2000/foo_upnp as the renderer on the same PC as the server. I'm sure there's a simpler way, mind you...

 

[Crono]

I used to use Subsonic for this, I really need to set it up again.

They have an app for Android, as well as for a bunch of other platforms.

 

[BUTCH1]

OK, thanks guys. it just seemed to be a waste to have a 775 computer sitting around doing nothing..

 

[blackdogdeek]

I run ReadyMedia, formerly mini-dlna, from a raspberry pi. I wasn't sure what OS you're running on the 775 machine but mini-dlna is linux only AFAIK.

 

[luv2liv]

sell the pc or donate it for tax deduction. then get a raspberry pi.
i have 4 rpi in the house acting as players hooked up to amps and speakers. 1 of the rpi is also a server with a 64gb usb stick containing all my ripped mp3. when you are tired of your collection, the rpi can play from other online sources too.

the rpis use very little power, i leave them on all the time. control the music from smartphones/tablets/pc. when u have a party, sync the rpi in all the rooms to play 1 song. pretty cool n sooooo much cheaper than a Sonos.

 

[BUTCH1]

sell the pc or donate it for tax deduction. then get a raspberry pi.
i have 4 rpi in the house acting as players hooked up to amps and speakers. 1 of the rpi is also a server with a 64gb usb stick containing all my ripped mp3. when you are tired of your collection, the rpi can play from other online sources too.

the rpis use very little power, i leave them on all the time. control the music from smartphones/tablets/pc. when u have a party, sync the rpi in all the rooms to play 1 song. pretty cool n sooooo much cheaper than a Sonos.

Hmm, that's a thought, what kind of PS does a rasberry use?, mind you this will be for music only so I'm not in need of video decompression/streaming capabilities. Also what app do you use to control them (I use Android tablets), thanks, Barry.
EDIT:, Oh I forgot to ask, I have some USB wifi cards laying around, will they work with it?

 

[WelshBloke]

OK, thanks guys. it just seemed to be a waste to have a 775 computer sitting around doing nothing..

That's probably overkill for a music server, why not just build a full home server?

Then you get to spend lots of money.

 

[luv2liv]

the rpi uses the same charging cable as all the android phones/tablets, micro usb cable.

things you will need: rpi, micro usb cable, hdmi cable to monitor or tv, usb kb + mouse, sd card, usb memory stick for those music files.
get the image here http://www.squeezeplug.eu/ load the image onto the sd card. boot up the pi to set it up as a server. then as a player. the player will see the server you set up. once everything is config, u no longer need a display. everything will be controlled on your tablet or phone or pc. the app i use is "Orange Squeeze" for $4. there are other good and free apps

 

[BUTCH1]

sell the pc or donate it for tax deduction. then get a raspberry pi.
i have 4 rpi in the house acting as players hooked up to amps and speakers. 1 of the rpi is also a server with a 64gb usb stick containing all my ripped mp3. when you are tired of your collection, the rpi can play from other online sources too.

the rpis use very little power, i leave them on all the time. control the music from smartphones/tablets/pc. when u have a party, sync the rpi in all the rooms to play 1 song. pretty cool n sooooo much cheaper than a Sonos.

Thanks again to everyone for all the suggestions/info. As to the rpi can it be used with a hard drive?, I'm not sure if 64gb would be enough, I will want to rip to a lossless type format or high bitrate Mp3. I'm far removed from an audiophile but when you get down to 128K music starts to suffer IMO.

 

[nsafreak]

Yes, the rpi can be used with an external hard drive and it can be set to auto mount within linux pretty easily.

 

[BUTCH1]

Yes, the rpi can be used with an external hard drive and it can be set to auto mount within linux pretty easily.

OK, thanks, I have a few of those laying around (don't we all!) so I would avoid buying the USB stick although the USB stick does offer the advantage of reliability and tiny power requirements.

 

[BUTCH1]

Well so far I've come up with this, a 20watt/channel small amp, this, a Bluetooth transmitter that for the PC that has plenty of range, ( I already have some speakers) and this audio receiver that will deliver the audio to the small amp., any thoughts or suggestions (even bad ones LOL) are welcomed. Since I already have a wifi up and running all I "think" I would need at this point is to install an app to the Android tablet that lets me control this cheap-tastic idea!. For less than $50 I hope it will work out OK.