What alternative methods can we use to listen to our music library

 This assumes you have a Windows PC…If you end up with a  WD NAS map the Shared Music folder to your computer then copy your USB library to the Shared Music folder ( A Western Digital default folder. At least on mine ).

https://kb.netgear.com/19864/How-do-I-map-a-network-drive-in-Windows

 Map a network drive, Windows.

I have a Roon sub that I use for serious listening with wired speakers, DAC, Integrated Amp et al. I can stream Roon from my server to my Arc, sub and surrounds for casual listening. Best of both worlds, so far.

 ROON is great for controlling a number of different brand streamers.  Had it for a year.  Now I just use MinimServer to serve up my music library to KEF & WiiM.  Sonos indexes the library from the same NAS location.  Also LMS for SqueezeBox players ( WiiM included ) also from the same NAS location.  Another option used is Linn’s Open Home for the Sonos Port ( UPnP-not gapless.  Open Home-gapless ).  None of these as universal as ROON, but no SQ loss issues caused by ROON processing.  LMS-SqueezeBox = best SQ.

I like iBroadcast - it works at least. The music quality on the free version is only so-so though.

@106rallye 

I uploaded everything in FLAC, took a while, but it is there if I decide to stay with iBroadcast and move to the paid service.

As you say it does work.

I am currently following @Belly M comments and looking at the WD cloud home units.

I had a 512GB USB drive plugged into the back of my BT Home Hub (probably the UK’s most popular router) which was rendered unusable in May by the app update and the Samba change.

I’ve resurrected this with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W with not much effort and at a cost of about £45 ($60). It draws 2W in power, and delivers almost the same functionality as the £600 ReadyNAS NV+ I started out with about 15 years ago, in a tiny low-power unit.

if it would be useful I’d be happy to lay out the steps.

@healthily_skeptical 

ibroadcast is “working”, but I feel I am being short changed as I am not “in charge” i.e. I am reliant on iBroadcast working.

I looked at the Pi route, but ended up not being able to give it enough time to get my head around everything.

I would appreciate any guidance and support you could offer.

Cheers

@GMR  Here’s my two pennies worth…

I too was in a similar situation and looked through all the options as well.

I did go down the SMB (Single Board Computer) of which Raspberry Pi and Arduino are example.

I went for an Odroid HC2 using linux free OpenMediaVault.  I am not familiar with Linux but managed to get it working and by using an old Hard drive i had a working solution.  I learnt a lot but would I do so again… the answer is no.  Too much fussing about and doing things with blind faith.

The next options I considered was buying an old Corporate computer from ebay, such as an old Dell corporate machine, attaching an old drive or memory stick and using that.  Old pcs can be had from £50.  It’s quick and easy and can be expanded in the future to include more storage.  It’s not as quiet or small as a NAS but does the same thing.

In the end I went for a NAS as I wanted a solution to back up ALL my files not just the music.  I am very happy but it was not cheap, especially when factoring in new HDs.  Been running 3 years now and never an issue.

@bockersjv

I have a history of upgrading computers, so the bits and pieces are not an issue for me. I did look at running an old mini Lenovo PC, but people say its a bit overkill just for the music.