Marantz Network Audio Players

[cavalier240]

I'm considering purchasing a NA8005 to replace my squeezebox. But before I do, I'm wondering if there is a driver that could control it? It has a RS-232C connection, can be controlled from a browser via IP, and Marantz has an IOS app. I'm guessing it uses a lot of the same commands as the Marantz receivers?

I don't have the time to do much coding myself right now, so I'm wondering if there is any solution already operational.

[Dean Roddey]

Not that I know of. If it's not some crazy undertaking I could look into it if there are some revenues involved. Any idea where the IP protocol is documented?

[cavalier240]

Thanks, Dean. I did a bit of googling and found this protocol document. It's not directly from Marantz, so I'll contact them to make sure this is accurate. http://www2.aerne.com/Public/dok-sw.nsf/...r1_0_1.pdf

But, the format of that seems very similar to the protocol documented in this thread for Marantz receivers. http://www.charmedquark.com/vb_forum/sho...ostcount=3

Once you have a chance to take a look, please feel free to send me a PM and we can figure it out if it's worth the undertaking.

[Dean Roddey]

So, how much of that do you really need? There's a bodacious amount of stuff possible, but it would be an epic undertaking to provide even half of that. Though, keep in mind that certain commands in that file are only for particular models.

If you just want volume, mute, power, and input selection, in a V2 style driver, that wouldn't be too bad. But if it gets into controlling the streaming services and that sort of thing, it'll be a lot more work.

[cavalier240]

I think the system functions on page 7 for the NA8005 would be enough for now as long as the driver could also report on the status of those via the responses on page 24 (e.g., it would tell me the system is on and the current source is Spotify).

[jkmonroe]

so, help me out here. you're replacing a squeezebox with this thing? that seems like a strange jump from one extreme to the other in terms of price.

i mean, you could grab 4 Sonos Play:1's, or 2 Play:3's and 1 Play:1, or 1 Play:3 and 2 Play:1's, or 2 Sonos Connect's, or 1 Play:5 and 1 Play:1, for less than the price of the single Marantz.

im not knocking it, because it looks really cool, but with all of the other options available, im curious why you're leaning towards it.

[cavalier240]

so, help me out here. you're replacing a squeezebox with this thing? that seems like a strange jump from one extreme to the other in terms of price.

i mean, you could grab 4 Sonos Play:1's, or 2 Play:3's and 1 Play:1, or 1 Play:3 and 2 Play:1's, or 2 Sonos Connect's, or 1 Play:5 and 1 Play:1, for less than the price of the single Marantz.

im not knocking it, because it looks really cool, but with all of the other options available, im curious why you're leaning towards it.

Honestly, I haven't completed ruled out going the Sonos route either. But here are the ideas in my head steering me this way:
- I have no experience with Sonos, but I've done a ton of research and the main compliants I've read about Sonos are the lack of Spotify functions in the Sonos app, the fact that Sonos only handles 16 bit / 44.1 kHz, and that the internal DAC is somewhat lacking.
- The NA8005 utilizes Spotify Connect, so I can use the Spotify app
- The NA8005 can also serve as a DAC for my connected HTPC so I can play hi-res files through my WHA system.

I'd love to hear your experience with Sonos.

[jkmonroe]

Honestly, I haven't completed ruled out going the Sonos route either. But here are the ideas in my head steering me this way:
- I have no experience with Sonos, but I've done a ton of research and the main compliants I've read about Sonos are the lack of Spotify functions in the Sonos app, the fact that Sonos only handles 16 bit / 44.1 kHz, and that the internal DAC is somewhat lacking.
- The NA8005 utilizes Spotify Connect, so I can use the Spotify app
- The NA8005 can also serve as a DAC for my connected HTPC so I can play hi-res files through my WHA system.

I'd love to hear your experience with Sonos.

Sonos sounds good, is affordable, has a really solid ecosystem of providers, and is compatible (pretty much across the board for HA). You want to throw on some John Mayer, read a book, and chill, it's perfect. Granted, it's not 'listening room' type of quality, but it is definitely (definitely) above average for what you'd think.

I don't like Spotify Connect, but thats a personal preference; Sonos doesn't seem to support it anyways.

What Spotify functions are missing in Sonos? Everything I ever want to do is available, full search, playlists, full browse, lots of specific functions when on a song like add to playlist (spotify and sonos), start radio, drill into artist or album, etc.

but usually I just, you know, play music. :-D