Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming How has Sooloos (sorry, MDMS) changed your listening habits?

I'm finding myself listening to fewer complete classical works these days, preferring to let the system swim around all the albums. That way it uncovers music I had completely forgotten was there or reminds of works similarly overlooked for years, or (confession here) reveals "new" works purchased but never fully explored, and there are a surprising number of them!

Yes I'll stop off and explore something more deeply but not as often as expected. It is just so luxurious to stretch back in the chair, earphones on, and get lost in a variety of beautiful music. And it is amazing how quickly the cat observes the opportunity to claim a lap upon which to groom herself and finally snore away in pussy dreamland. Yes it does send me off to sleep sometimes too although a few bars of Stravinsky can alter that very quickly!

John

Strictly speaking, Sooloos has had no impact whatsoever. But, that is because I achieved the listening breakthrough with squeezebox then SB+ in 2006.
However, I fully agree with the sentiment.

The quick access and ability to browse means I listen to far more varied music much more often.
Like John, I flit from album to album more as there is just so much to enjoy.
Playlist on different themes are great and full of surprises.

When adverts come on the TV Sooloos gets to play a track and a half which is great. It is amazing how often the music seems to fit the adds.

Sooloos has been a paradigm shift for me. Chris

Speaking as a non-Sooloos owner, there are things that Sooloos doesn't give me (and will never give, it being a closed architecture solution) and things that it will do much better.

But I can say that Sooloos has driven me to try and achieve much of the same from my Squeezebox system. I'm getting there now and it's really nice just to explore my library and listen to music .

Sooloos did not change the way i listen much. The only benefit i am happy with is the playlist possibility. With normal CD you have to change the disc more often. This advantage is nice for some days but i listen most of the time to the compleet album just like CD. I dont use the moods option or what so ever.

But iam very happy with the Sooloos. It sounds great and it is very stable. Other apps are not as beautiful as the core control.
And when you are a bit handy you can make your own cheap zone

As another non-Sooloos owner, I can see the convenience benefits and how the simple access to a library might change how you listen but...

I won't be buying-in to this because:

- there is no MC available
- there is no video available
- it doesn't work well over WiFi.

The first issue could be solved but the second is likely to be impossible due to copyright (despite being what everyone wants). The third would be the really big win in terms of convenience.

I don't think you want to stream over wifi. A cable is much better an works allways. You'll better can pull a wire it is not alot work.

My opinion is that when you can stream audio and video in one streamer the audio does not sound good anymore.

My sister was over today as I serviced her car (that's what I do).
So along with a welcome coffee I showed her how to explore my Sooloos system.

The result:- Inever had any mid morning coffee made for me, or any visits to see how I was getting on.
The reason:- Sooloos !!!
She loved it, found old albums she had lost, explored alot of music and played the whole DSOTM something not done for many years.
This brought out loads of old memories and stories.

I can't think of a better endorsement for a system. Chris

The two bits that Sooloos has fundamentally changed for me in my music listening, having been a Squeezebox then Sonos user in the past, is:

1. Meridian integration. Im a lazy git sometimes and getting up off the sofa to juggle a couple of remotes to turn on hifi, select appropriate volume etc often prevented me from sneaking in a quickie (listen) when the mood took me. Oddly, I don't turn off the system as I cannot be bothered to fetch the MSR to press the off button

2. Swim. Unlike random play, I think this Sooloos function does really well to supply ever changing music but to your taste and mood. I remember when I first used LastFM, spending a good few hours just going through track after track of (mostly) music that fitted the our taste at that moment in time.

I don't have a cool cat but if I did it would be named Sooloos.
SBT/Spotify is still a vital part of my listening habit for new releases and old starred albums etc but the C15 interface for Sooloos is slick and works for me. Change in my case is gradual and I have a lot to learn, however I have now dispensed with the arm bands and really enjoy swimming. I know where my towell is.
Hector

Best audio investment I've made and like many others on this post it has allowed me to explore my collection and uncover some forgotten (and sometimes unknown!) gems. Its not without a few issues but the whole family love it.

Jools,

Completely agree, makes me smile every time I use it, and the discovering your music collection can not be underestimated.

Cheers,
Russ