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castalla
Local Superstar
January 15, 2020

Logitech Media Server - 3rd party addition for Sonos devices

  • January 15, 2020
  • 38 replies
  • 16510 views

LMS offers some interesting features which you can use alongside the standard Sonos setup.  Using LMS requires that you install the server software on a networked device (eg. a PC running Windows, iOS, or Linux, and even some NAS) - a popular choice is the Raspbery Pi (even including the ultra-cheap Pi Zero at 20 USD).   Installing the software is a task for an average user (and is largely accomplished via a web-browser interface).  Once installed, Sonos devices are seen by LMS as squeezebox players, and have full access to all the features which the server software offers.

Why might you consider this as an addition to your Sonos system?   Here are some pros:

  1.  LMS is complementary to the native Sonos setup.  You do not lose any Sonos features.
  2.  LMS is multi-platform.   Media control is also multi-platform (via web--browser access).   Apps are also available for both Android and iOS (either free or at low cost.
  3. There is no limit for local music libraries
  4. Offers access to Spotify, Qobuz, Tidal and Deezer streaming.  You can also access one of the UK’s most popular radio services, with listen again features!  Podcasts are also available.
  5. A recent addition (in beta) integrates local music library with your Spotify library (albums and playlists).   Probable that Qobuz and other streaming will be integrated)

An active and very supportive community forum

… and a couple of cons:

  • Additional cost (if necessary)
  • Initial installation effort

 

I’m offering this brief overview in a spirit of cooperation and sharing.   Maybe somebody will find it interesting and useful.

It is not intended to decry or compete with the base Sonos system..

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    38 replies

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    castallaAuthor
    Local Superstar
    March 27, 2020

    Another way to use a raspberry pi and Echo speakers!

    Picoreplayer is a tiny specialised OS which turns your Pi into both a speaker and a LMS server (or either).  I run mine on a small pi zero w.

    Now, recent updates have added bluetooth functions - so my pi can now connect by BT to an Echo - the Echo appears then to LMS as just another speaker.   

    It's the courageous bee's knees - all 6 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝. - - - - - Make Sonos Great Again - - - - -
    castallaAuthor
    Local Superstar
    March 28, 2020

    Mark up another plus for LMS …

     

    I now have my Fiio M6 mini player integrated into my LMS ecosystem via airplay - it is currently playing to one of my BT headphones.

     

    It's the courageous bee's knees - all 6 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝. - - - - - Make Sonos Great Again - - - - -
    castallaAuthor
    Local Superstar
    May 26, 2020

    Screenshot of latest Material skin on desktop browser showing the iconised players available on the system:

     

     

    It's the courageous bee's knees - all 6 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝. - - - - - Make Sonos Great Again - - - - -
    kaosnews
    Lyricist III
    June 26, 2020

    Very import feature not mentioned here: volume normalization! A feature missing with Sonos.

      kaosnews
      Lyricist III
      June 26, 2020


      Old Squeezebox Touch used as a player :) Now my family members can control Sonos without using the Sonos APP - awesome!

      caesar327
      Prodigy I
      June 26, 2020


      Old Squeezebox Touch used as a player :) Now my family members can control Sonos without using the Sonos APP - awesome!

      Interesting, I just yanked out my Squeezebox Duet and replaced it with a Sonos Port, so now my A/V receiver (5.1 system) is part of the Sonos system in my house.  And then shut down LMS running on my PC.  I still have a Squeezebox radio in my bedroom, but since I have a Sonos One in the bedroom (much better sound quality), I use the radio simply for its clock display.

      kaosnews
      Lyricist III
      June 26, 2020

      I use the Squeezebox Radio in my office :) and it’s nice to control everything with one app. LMS also supports stereo Sonos (for example 2x Sonos ONE paired), so that’s also not a problem

      Gofer
      Lyricist I
      July 15, 2020

      You sound like the people I need to ask what other hardware I need to play my music collection over my WiFi network?

      I have 2 Play 1 speakers that mainly stream radio and soundcloud. I am not tech savvy. When I was a little more knowledgeable I bought a Logitech Squeezebox with Duet and used LMS to access an iTunes library on my laptop. I still have that laptop but it’s so clunky and slow I rarely turn it on (it’s running on windows 7 and I suspect has some other hardware problems). This means I don’t listen to my music other than on cds now.  I’d like to change that but don’t know how to go about it.

      I’d like to access the music without having to turn a Pc or laptop computer on so I think raspberry pi would work for that. I’ve toyed with the idea of a NAS but they’re quite expensive. I heard I could buy a router and connect a hard drive to it so it acted as a media server but I don’t know what’s optimal or even adequate. my broadband is running off a Virgin Media hub3 at the moment which I have recently learned is a terrible router plus modem.

      I think basically I just want to be told what I need and to get it or save up for it. I don’t have much disposable income or indeed cognitive load at the moment - I type this on an iPhone with a 6-week old baby strapped to my chest, a toddler asleep upstairs and 2 hours before my baby shift ends and I can go get some sleep.

      Davey_P
      Lyricist I
      August 18, 2020

      I am new to the Sonos world but have an LMS server streaming my  music around the house. Would love to get the Sonos access to my LMS music library.  Could you point me in the right direction please?

       

       

      castallaAuthor
      Local Superstar
      August 19, 2020

      Using Sonos to access a ‘remote’ music library is possible, and relatively easy to set up, depending on where the music is stored.  

      @Gofer 

      The Hub 3 doesn’t appear to have a usb port where you could attach a NAS.   My advice is to look for a wifi network drive - check out the RavPower FileHub - https://www.amazon.co.uk/RAVPower-FileHub-Wireless-Portable-Transfer/dp/B07MZT543W

      @Davey_P 

      Where is your LMS music library stored?

      It's the courageous bee's knees - all 6 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝. - - - - - Make Sonos Great Again - - - - -
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