OK, I need audiophile/PC help again….

[TheVTCGuy]

Yeah, so… Uhm…. Here is the situation. I currently listen to an internet radio station, called DI.FM (HIGHLY recommended by the way ) like, all day long in my home office. I have a Bose Companion 5 system, two small speakers and a subwoofer. I LOVE the sound, and it gets me through the work day.

Now, the Bose is hooked up to my laptop, through a USB hub, and I log in to the station on the PC, it is USB-B on the Bose to a USB on the PC (basically) it works and sounds great.

The issue is I have since added a Poly headset for demos which I have to do (outside cameras) and can and do get called without a moment’s warning. For example, a sales person can be at a potential clients site for a visit and the client says they would like to see our cameras, the sales guy calls me, we all hook up on zoom and I connect to various demo cameras we have at several of our locations. To do these demos, it is expected I wear the Poly Headset for listening and obviously microphone, a company standard. Well, when zoom starts up, I can switch the microphone and speakers from my bose to the Poly, which is connected by bluetooth to my PC. The poly says connected to PC, works for a minute then goes dead. I have already gone in to the PC controls and changed the sound settings from Bose to the Poly headset, but the ONLY thing that works is if I reboot the PC. This is embarrassing and time consuming when a potential client is standing by.

SOOOOOOO…… What I have decided to do is to completely separate the Bose from the PC. I want to buy an internet radio player that will connect directly to the Bose. I can always mute it when I get a call, and it should not interfere in any way with the audio settings of the PC.

The Bose AUDIO IN is actually a USB-B, and connected to the PC. That’s one of the reasons I got it is I wanted digital audio output (it really does sound better then a 3.5 analogue cable and plug). Also, I would like the internet radio player to have a Cat-5 (6) ethernet port, as I am right next to my router and prefer a cabled connection rather then WiFi.

SOOOOOOOOO (again). I have been looking for an internet radio player that offers these features. I looked at Grace Digital, Revo, Digital connect.. NONE of them seem to have these It is such a big deal? Some have the ethernet port for a wired connection, but I can not find one that has a digital audio out, they all seem to be analogue 3.5 MM jacks (which sound horrible)

All of you smarter then me (which is pretty much everyone) Can you find such an internet radio? Ethernet port and a digital audio out (preferably USB).

Mr. Dorklehead signing off

[MrGoat]

Chromebook or cheap laptop with a USB port specifically for radio?


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[Dynamite_Kid19]

I always keep an old phone around to do internet radioing over WiFi.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[Mifune]

More than likely, the poor audio performance from the analog 3.5 is not the connectors fault.. it's the computers conversion issue.
Analog connectors are the preferred connector.
There are several real types of solutions for you, from stand alone network units that will also stream your library files in addition to radio, there are mobile DAPs (digital audio player) that will do he same... many price points are available.
Don't get caught up in the usb connector as your preferred source.. does the base have Bluetooth?
Do you have a price point in mind?

[JasoninDenver]

Does DI.FM have an app?

If so, BT streamer hooked up through Bose RCA

https://www.amazon.com/iFi-Zen-Air-B...0-4513d670b6bc

Even cheaper, straem from your phone through a BT receiver plugged into input jack.

https://www.amazon.com/Swiitech-Blue...s%2C135&sr=8-3

[enjoythemusic]

Sonos Port, not cheap but easy with S/PDIF coax. Has analog input... and output if/when you want 'em. Ethernet ports too.

https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/port

[enjoythemusic]

On second thought, save a few bucks and get a Sonos Connect.

For fun, have a look at the FiiO R7. It's also Roon-ready and basically handles pretty much everything.

E v e r y t h i n g.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Mifune

More than likely, the poor audio performance from the analog 3.5 is not the connectors fault.. it's the computers conversion issue.
Analog connectors are the preferred connector.
There are several real types of solutions for you, from stand alone network units that will also stream your library files in addition to radio, there are mobile DAPs (digital audio player) that will do he same... many price points are available.
Don't get caught up in the usb connector as your preferred source.. does the base have Bluetooth?
Do you have a price point in mind?

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Does DI.FM have an app?

If so, BT streamer hooked up through Bose RCA

https://www.amazon.com/iFi-Zen-Air-B...0-4513d670b6bc

Even cheaper, straem from your phone through a BT receiver plugged into input jack.

https://www.amazon.com/Swiitech-Blue...s%2C135&sr=8-3

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Sonos Port, not cheap but easy with S/PDIF coax. Has analog input... and output if/when you want 'em. Ethernet ports too.

https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/port

So, the Bose speaker system input is either USB-B (from a USB connector on the PC) or analogue 3.5. Those are the only options. I have hooked up a couple items like an Ipod with a 3.5 out cable to the 3.5 in on the Bose and it sounded horrible. I have not tried a Grace Digital or other item, but would consider it if the sound was comparable to what I am currently getting from my PC. Yes, Di.FM does have an app, that’s how I listen to it currently on my PC.

As for budget, this is important to me, listening to my music at my home office desk really gets me through the day. I paid $500 for the Bose companion 5, which was top of the line several years ago, if there was a solution that met all my needs I would easily spend that amount again, maybe more.

[TheVTCGuy]

I should add, I spent this afternoon switching around my home office. Now, my personal laptop is the only PC connected to the bose, completely separate from my work laptop. It seems to work perfectly, ethernet cat-6 to the laptop, my DI.FM app opened and playing music, and USB out to USB-B in on the Bose system. It works great, seems to have solved my issues with switching audio sources on my work laptop, and sounds awesome.

The only thing is it seems rather excessive to be running a completely separate laptop computer soley for listening to an internet music station. Yes, it works, but if I could find a stand alone internet radio station player with USB-out it would be a lot more effective.

[JasoninDenver]

This may help the USB to RCA connection on the first device I linked to in my previous post. Especially if the 3.5 input channel sucks.

https://www.amazon.com/Splitter-Adap...dDbGljaz10cnVl

However, you may want to call Crutchfield and have and honest discussion about the value of upgrading to the Sonos ecosystem. I am a cheap audiophile and have been blown away by the two systems I have helped friends set up. The sound quality is amazing.

As I recall, you wanted to upgrade your home theater a few months back. This is the perfect solution for your whole house as the Sonos app can control everything.

[77T]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

The only thing is it seems rather excessive to be running a completely separate laptop computer soley for listening to an internet music station. Yes, it works, but if I could find a stand alone internet radio station player with USB-out it would be a lot more effective.

True it is.

My suggestion:

Cheap refurb’d iPad or iPhone maybe 2 or 3 generations old and only 64GB. $200



Lightning to USB-B MIDI Cable. $10



Free iOS App…




You don’t need a data plan or phone plan - it’ll run off your WiFi. Otherwise, if you must have Ethernet - then go with old Chromebook.

(Edit for Footnote - that is a crazy house mix synthesizer station )

This is my work music at the track while I figure out who’s responsible for f$&’g up a session:



Mozart for Thinking…

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[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by 77T

True it is.

My suggestion:

Cheap refurb’d iPad or iPhone maybe 2 or 3 generations old and only 64GB. $200



Lightning to USB-B MIDI Cable. $10



Free iOS App…




You don’t need a data plan or phone plan - it’ll run off your WiFi. Otherwise, if you must have Ethernet - then go with old Chromebook.

(Edit for Footnote - that is a crazy house mix synthesizer station )

This is my work music at the track while I figure out who’s responsible for f$&’g up a session:



Mozart for Thinking…

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

This could work… if the lightning to USB-B is a true digital signal… I’ll order the cable and try it out right now with my ipod.

[77T]

Make sure your Bose is taking MIDI-input and the cable is a lightning to MIDI.

Use Amazon and you can return if it doesn’t work.

Just a thought.


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[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by 77T

Make sure your Bose is taking MIDI-input and the cable is a lightning to MIDI.

Use Amazon and you can return if it doesn’t work.

Just a thought.


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Done, done and done! Ordered on Amazon and receiving it Sunday. I’ll try it out on my Ipod 7th generation and if it works get another for my desk, maybe actually an Iphone, so it can charge via a magsafe stand while the lightning is plugged in. I am so excited to try it!!!!

[SearChart]

I have the same Bose speakers, Companion 5, bought them in 2010 and still use them daily.

When I game with friends I plug my headset into the mic port of the pc itself, not the hub from Bose.

[77T]

I don’t know about the App’s compatibility with an iPod - maybe try downloading it from the App Store and installing it. Then use a standard 3.5mm audio cable (male to male plugged) to the Bose hub just like you’d do with any MP3 player.

That should definitely work if the App is compatible.

Then, when the Amazon cable shows up you can try the Lightning to USB cable. Due the iPod power management for the Lightning port, you may get a message that the accessory is not compatible.


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[agoodfella]

Originally Posted by Dynamite_Kid19

I always keep an old phone around to do internet radioing over WiFi.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

Same

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Dynamite_Kid19

I always keep an old phone around to do internet radioing over WiFi.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by agoodfella

Same

Success! Well….. kind of.

So, the IPOD lightning connector, even the latest and last edition, does NOT offer digital audio out. I plugged it in and nada. The GOOD news, is that I plugged the cable in to the lighting of my Iphone (13) and VUWALLAH!!!! (Or however you spell it). It sounds awesome!!!

That’s only a partial solution, I can’t be using my iphone for listening to music while I’m working at my desk. I can just see it now, a call comes in and I am fumbling around all the wires trying to answer and end up destroying my laptop, or accidentally turning on the webcam and there I am in my underwear. No.. I have to keep the systems completely separate. So, as someone smarter then myself (which is a lot of people ) suggested, I need an old Iphone, simply to use with Wifi and pick up my internet radio station, then connected and played through the Bose system.

Does anyone have an old Iphone they would like to sell me?

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Success! Well….. kind of.

So, the IPOD lightning connector, even the latest and last edition, does NOT offer digital audio out. I plugged it in and nada. The GOOD news, is that I plugged the cable in to the lighting of my Iphone (13) and VUWALLAH!!!! (Or however you spell it). It sounds awesome!!!

That’s only a partial solution, I can’t be using my iphone for listening to music while I’m working at my desk. I can just see it now, a call comes in and I am fumbling around all the wires trying to answer and end up destroying my laptop, or accidentally turning on the webcam and there I am in my underwear. No.. I have to keep the systems completely separate. So, as someone smarter then myself (which is a lot of people ) suggested, I need an old Iphone, simply to use with Wifi and pick up my internet radio station, then connected and played through the Bose system.

Does anyone have an old Iphone they would like to sell me?

An old iPhone probably will not support the app you’re trying to use. Last 2-3 generations would probably be the sweet spot. I am about to replace my 11 pro max. If they don’t take it back it’s yours.


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[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

An old iPhone probably will not support the app you’re trying to use. Last 2-3 generations would probably be the sweet spot. I am about to replace my 11 pro max. If they don’t take it back it’s yours.


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I…. I think I love you..

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I…. I think I love you..

Now I feel dirty.


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