leosgonewild wrote:

Why do you want to have an Essence?

Basically I want to listen to music from my synology without using the computer. And I would be interested in getting radios from different countries 

does it make sense?

Can you connect both the synology and the router without physical cables? Sounds great

Sorry it I don't see your point. With chromecast you still to use a pc or a mobile. I want to avoid this. And I want to listen to music with my zeppelin in another room as well.

do you know if this works with the essence?

Hi Andrew,

1:

The Essence can be connected  (to your router) either via wifi or hardwired.

I don't know the details about your NAS, but most users connect their NAS to the router via wire anyway - for the sake of security/stability.

2:

Using both Essense AND the Playmaker depends on what you want to achieve.

One reason for using both devices could be, if you want to use AirPlay in a NL-multiroom setup.

With the Playmaker connected to the line-in of the Essence you can distribute the airplayed source.

However, if you just want to playback the music from your NAS using DLNA/a client software on the pc,

there would be no need for both.

The Playmaker would be sufficient for playback in one room.

The Essence however, would give you the opportunity of distributing music (and joining-in to music) to more NL-networked rooms.

If - like in your case - the Playmaker (or the Essence for that matter) is attached to the BS3200, you could distribute the music to ML-connected devises...

....if you happen to have any.

3:

The Zeppelin (I suppose you mean the Air version) can not take part in a ML or NL setup, but you can AirPlay to it (and the Essence/Playmaker when using iTunes/Mac).

And you could - using the Spotify application - group it with the Essence - since both have support for Spotify Connect.

4:

I would highly recommend the Essence over the Playmaker. You get easy access to Netradio stations (TuneIN), support for Spotify Connect, Google Cast in addition to the AirPlay/DLNA/Line-in support of the Playmaker.

So for a personal recommendation, I would need to know more about your preferences/listening habits, wishes for future use (NL-integration).

If you only need support for DLNA (music from your NAS), you should be fine with the Playmaker, that you already have.

MM

Hi Millemissen,

thanks for your info, very helpful.

I don't have any ML connected devices so far. So I will use the Essence/PM to send the music to the BL4000 and the Zeppelin Air in another room.

The idea is to use Spotify and TuneIN (free not premium) to listen to music. I'm currently doing this using a mac connected with the PM. The idea was to avoid using the Mac.

I don't know how to connect the NAS with the PM and listen to music in the BL4000. May I ask you how to set up this in PM?  It would be possible to listen to a cd from the BS3200 and listen to music both in the BL4000 (linked to the BS3200) as well as in the Zeppeling Air thru the PM?

What is the fair price for an essence MK2? I found the MK1 brand new at 350£ but this does not have the multi rooms capabilities that in my opinion would be essential to justify the investment now.

It is not quite clear to me  how you use the Playmaker (or intend to use the Essence) at the Moment.

The most common way - when we talk about a combination with a BS and speakers - is to use it a a 'source' connected to the A.Aux-in of the BS.

This way you can easily choose between e.g. playback of a CD and what is possible with the Playmaker/Essence.

Do you use a smartphone/iOS or just the Mac?

'How to set this up in PM':

Getting access to music stored on the NAS from the Playmaker/Essence requires a DLNA-setup.

On your NAS there already is a DLNA server (it maybe have to be activated first?).

You need a 'DLNA controller' (a software) to choose from where (= your NAS) and to where (= your Playmaker/Essence) the usic will play.

For smartphones there are several DLNA apps (one example is the PlugPlayer) - I mostly use the 8Player app on my iDevices.

Please google these and learn how to use them!

Most apps are even AirPlay compatible - which means that you can Airplay from them (to your Zeppelin or the PM).

There are similar apps for the Mac.

(Is your Mac currently hardwired to the PM?)

Only way to use AirPlay music (such as Spotify or TuneIN...) to multiple devices is to use an app like Airfoil on the Mac:

link

If you want to integrate your Zeppelin, this will be the only way!

But you wanted to avoid using the Mac ;-(

The strength of the Essence is that it has integrated support for TuneIn and Spotify Connect.

It can be managed through the Beomusic (iOS) app.

However, Spotify Connect requires a Premium account - but that is what you ought to choose, if you want descent sound from your BL4000 anyway ;-)

Asking about a 'fair price' for the Essence? I suppose you mean a preused one?

It will probably be hard to find a good deal on one - so buying new will be my suggestion.

Pleas notice, that you don't need the 'remote wheel', if the Essence is connected to the BS3200.

You use the Beomusic app to control it and you control the volume via the BS.

Complicated stuff - there are many ways to use an Essence!

How about exploring the possibilities of your existing Playmaker (DLNA and AirPlay) - and take your time to consider if you need the Essence?

Here is a place to start studying: