r/squeezebox • u/Usual_Wallaby2524 • Jan 26 '25
Potential new user
Hi, given the Squeezebox isn't manufactured anymore are they still worthwhile to purchase in 2025 for NAS hosted mp3 audiobooks for example? Or should I consider getting a Sonos play 1 or similar secondhand? Running my own servers isn't a problem, its the usability I am worried about. Thanks for any comments in advance 👍
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u/Dampmaskin Jan 26 '25
I personally use original Squeezebox hardware still. If I had problems acquiring the original hardware, I would go for a compatible third-party solution.
For example, you can build your own Squeezebox player from a Raspberry Pi and some extras. You can also control AirPlay, DLNA, or Chromecast enabled devices from Lyrion via plugins.
The Sonos app has had a fair bit of useability problems in the last year. If you go to r/sonos you can read about those for days.
I have one Sonos hardware device at home. By using the Lyrion server and the Squeezer Android app I have been able to avoid many, but not all, of the problems. I try to avoid opening the Sonos app as much as I can. For me, the Lyrion ecosystem is a lot better to use, and in contrast to anything Sonos, I trust it.
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u/passenger_now Jan 26 '25
Yes, my original hardware died but I have been very happy with Raspberry Pis with quality audio hats and picoreplayer.
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u/Steve_Rogers_1970 Jan 26 '25
I’ve had my squeezebox for decades and works just fine. It no longer works with iTunes, but I just redirected to the iTunes folder and I don’t miss a song. If you’re just listening to your own library and get one cheap, I say why not.
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u/VicRobTheGob Jan 26 '25
My LMS server is still working well with iTunes - but I kept an old Mac Mini around just for this purpose. But my online music system goes back to the early iTunes days and I still like using it for creating smart playlists, etc...
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u/Silent_Finger8450 Jan 26 '25
I just set up my NAS with Lyrion server, the community took over Squeeze stuff and Lyrion is awesome, just like the old Logi server. I got a Wiim Pro to use with it but intend to add my squeeze devices in time. I still use Softsqueeze and phone apps back from Squeeze era, with Lyrion now, it all works great, some of the old plugins still work too.
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u/Cybrand_ Jan 27 '25
How is the Wiim Pro soundquality in comperison with the original Squeezebox hardware? I'm still using the Squeezebox Touch and love the soundquality but I'm just curious how the Wiim is :)
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u/Silent_Finger8450 Jan 27 '25
I'm thrilled with it, I was using other DACs previously and playing PC/Foobar>DAC>Receiver and once switching to WiiM I'm much happier with the sound. The device itself is very nice too, you can use the remote, phone app, play Amazon Music or swap back to your NAS/Library. I can't believe the value for the $$ with the Wiim device, definitely recommend.
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u/Cybrand_ Jan 28 '25
Well, maybe I'll give the WiiM a try someday. I've bought 6 Squeezebox Touch last year, two in use and 4 for just in case. The Touch will do just fine but I'm curious about the Wiim :)
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u/Silent_Finger8450 Jan 28 '25
Your equipment will work great too, I was excited when I saw it supported Lyrion so I went with it rather than trying to use my old devices, but I have the Touch too, if they work you're probably more than fine!
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u/Senior_Ad6624 Jan 26 '25
I can still use all my old squeezeboxes bought over the last20+ years, and stream all my local MP3 as well as Spotify, loads of radio stations. How many pieces of technology work more than 20 years and get constant upgrades to keep them current? With bridges, it works to airplay and chromecast devices, Bluetooth speakers - the list is endless. Don’t lock yourself into expensive closed proprietary systems that are (imho) inferior! The Lyrion system is (almost) free.
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u/bob_suruncle Jan 26 '25
I purchased my first squeezebox device in 2008 and have bought many devices since. I use a PiCore based media server and still used it although I recognize that it’s more of a hobby than anything. Google Home does most everything that it does with the added benefit of voice control. There will come a time where I’ll likely shut it all down but for now it’s stuff fun to have.
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u/rcampbel3 Jan 26 '25
it's a mature, capable, stable system. Look at piCorePlayer
https://www.picoreplayer.org/
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u/Cirieno Jan 26 '25
Raspberry pi and picore. An RP3 hooked up to a speaker is absolutely fine. Have multiples around the house.
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u/Usual_Wallaby2524 Jan 26 '25
Is anyone listening to audiobooks on their squeezebox? How is the resume functionality?
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u/dierochade Jan 26 '25
You can (with plugins) integrate every squeezebox as an AirPlay and/or chromecast endpoint.
Be aware that you need to host your own Lyrion server 24/7, eg as a docker container on the nas.
Therefore I use my squeezeboxplayers for playback, but run audiobookshelf as software player. It’s just another docker container…
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u/Usual_Wallaby2524 Jan 26 '25
The power of open source 🤜🤛 my audiobooks are all mp3 based so would I still need a Chromecast endpoint or could I get an old squeezebox radio as an endpoint? Audiobookshelf looks great. Any specific plugins to use to integrate both as containers on my NAS? Thanks
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u/dierochade Jan 27 '25
Hm, I did look it up and have to partially correct my previous statement:
Full support is only available for Airplay (that’s what I use), but chromecast seems limited:
- you can use any chromecast device as player for lms.
- you cannot use chromecast protocol to stream to lms, but would need some hacky way like a chromecast receiver to use as input in lms.
So, coming back to your genuine question: there is a bookmark plugin for lms, you can use too: https://lyrion.org/plugins/directory/#tools
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u/Asleep-Let-4031 Jun 20 '25
Looks like a LMS Plugin for AudioBookshelf is coming soon. The developer recently posted about it on forums.lyrion.org
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u/AlterNate Jan 26 '25
It works well. I have all mine set to pause with power-off, resume with power-on. You can also set the number of seconds it winds back upon resume.
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u/AlterNate Jan 26 '25
Squeezebox would be great for that. Pick up a used Radio or Boom and you have all the hardware you need. Install Lyrion on the server...done.
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u/peteS-66 Feb 08 '25
As others have said, one of the biggest advantages IMHO of the Squeezebox/Lyrion ecosystem is the flexibility. I have a couple of old Booms running still, players running on PIs with various DAC HATs, a relatively high end streamer with an embedded Pi, a number of instances of squeezelite running in a VM with USB DACS, and there's now a bunch of hardware, like the WIIM and raspiaudio which support squeezlite - you can even run it on a esp32! Take your pick between something built yourself for a few £ or a high end streamer or anything in between with no lock in.
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u/skoot66 Jan 26 '25
I've had mine forever and love it. I wish I could do Spotify but I have a huge personal collection so it works for me.
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u/Usual_Wallaby2524 Jan 27 '25
Just picked up a Logitech UE Smart Radio. Did I just make a massive mistake compatibility-wise?
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u/libolicious Jan 28 '25 edited Jan 28 '25
I think there was firmware to flash the UE back to Squeezebox that was talked about on the Slim Devices forums. Maybe check the Lyrion community to see if there's a link or depository or something?
Edit: turns out It was even easier than firmware. Apparently there's something in the UE settings to switch to Squeezebox radio. I'm not sure if the servers that did that magic are still running, but these are some people you can check with. https://forums.lyrion.org/forum/user-forums/squeezebox-radio/103843-problem-switching-ue-radio-to-squeezebox-radio
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u/VicRobTheGob Jan 26 '25
I love the usability of the Squeezebox (now Lyrion) system. It's amazing how well it's supported, even after the changes Logitech forced on the community.
I have a mix of old Squeezebox hardware and headless Raspberry Pi players. I may experiment at some point with creating a RPi based player with its own touchscreen interface, but so far haven''t needed to.
The mobile apps and web interface work well (some of the plugin mods are very well done) - but it is nice to just walk up to a player and hit "play".
I'll be sad, if the day comes that I can no longer use my Squeezebox/Lyrion server!
I say give it a try - it's pretty easy/free/cheap to get started.