What "source" for your mobile music? Mobile music server idea

Just picked up a gen2 SR5, the stock head unit is a multi-CD but no Bluetooth and that means no cell phone integration so the head unit has to go. Don't have the

I'm researching replacement head units now and found that Crutchfields has excellent information as to what speakers, amps and head units fit in what vehicles etc.

But my question for you all is what are you doing to get music into your truck? Still using CDs? Or maybe MP3s streamed over Bluetooth from your phone? MP3s from USB sticks or SD cards? High resolution FLAC or ALAC files from an iPod or similar jacked into the head unit with a 3.5mm plug? What else?

I'm working on a music server for my truck which will hold my ENTIRE music collection (~250GB or so at the moment). The server would serve up WiFi (but no internet connectivity) to my cell phone which would act as the remote control. Music played on the phone streamed from the server over WiFi would reach the head unit with Bluetooth streaming (for convenience) or 3.5mm plug from the server (for better audio quality when using high-resolution files).

Server is silent, fan-less, headless (no monitor or keyboard once configured and installed) with no moving parts (no spinning hard drives), power is 12v from your truck. My prototype is using an ARM v7 quad-core processor so its plenty powerful enough to stream HD video to a tablet or phone or two as well as the higher bit rate loss-less audio files. Its a bit larger than a box of Marlborough cigarettes so it will find a home somewhere out of sight Just the trick to keep kids from killing each other on that long road trip...

I'll document this as it goes along with the idea that the geekier of us on the site would be able to take my bill of materials and instructions , goshopping and be able to duplicate the server. For those less computer conversant ready-to-run servers would probably come in under $200.

Any interest?

 

I use Google Play Music to stream in my truck. I have unlimited data so I don't worry about data usage.

 

Spotify

 

I use Napster formerly Rhapsody and Amazon music that comes with amazon prime. Personally I like napster better but amazon works fine too.

 

Tidal Hi-Fi, $20 a month for CD (16bit/44kHz) quality streaming run through Roon Music Server on my home system, you can also download anything to your (using the Tidal app in off-line mode) mobile device (data plan free, use your home wi-fi to get your tunes) and listen at your leisure. Iphone plugged into the USB socket or BT (slightly worse SQ but at 75mph???)

 

SiriusXM or black crowes pandora channel.

 

Primarily Pandora with Spotify as back-up for land and water vehicles...

 

BTA from Amazon music.

 

I usually run Pandora if I'm out of local radio station range

 

I use this setup for my mobile music...

 

I thought it would be cool to see what everyone uses.

 

Pandora Google music and Spotify...

 

I hum softly to myself.

 

I use a Walkman that I plug in with the cassette tape that has the wire

 

I do indeed

 

Ummm the OP posted this over a year ago and we just start talking about it?

Of it was me a raspberry pi and SSD drive. And be happy.

 

Big ass 256 Gb iPhone Pandora and Spotify.
Who listens to regular radio anymore....

 

Still using Google play music. Although, the sound quality from my pixel phone is light-years better than what my Samsung Galaxy s8+ was.

 

The OP was ahead of his time.

 

That literally made me start laughing out loud. I'm glad no one is around.

I thought I was old school with an ipod off the usb port.

 

napster

 

You would too if you could.

 

Even more of a bump now!

 

USB stick, pandora, Amazon prime.

 

MP3's is SOO last week. I use CarPlay which IS a music server. (or you can use Android Auto if your phone identifies as an Android)