I opened the MusicCast app and had it search for devices. I was using the Yamaha app so I knew the AVR was online. But it was late (after 8:00pm) and I was doing a favor for an old client)

Greg, what level of control are you getting with Heos from Crestron? Being a Crestron programmer, I only ever do commercial stuff and never get to play with residential stuff. Now im building my own home and trying to design up a system for myself.

Im not fussed about browsing music on my TSW panels although Im assuming there might be a SG Media Player object for Heos? Is switching the Heos link inputs (spotify, aux in etc) and controlling volume possible from Crestron? With fb?

Cheers!

You can't use the Yamaha app (the one for AVRs) if you want to control MusicCast- if you use the MusicCast app, it does let you control AVRs, though.

I don't remember needing to search for devices- the app shows them when it's opened, as long as they have been connected to the network and can be operated using IP control. I had installed some Sonos and Heos before buying my MusicCast and setup/operation/performance have been trouble-free.

I only have one issue with the sound, which is a slight delay with some program material when the enhancer creates the lower bass frequencies. I have asked MusicCast tech support and, as usual, they have never heard of it before I called. As long as it's not noticeable to more people, I don't see it as a problem.

Is this a delay between MusicCast rooms or between the AVR wired room and the MusicCast rooms?

In MusicCast you can adjust delay pretty easily.
1: If the product is hard wired you can select the link control to be 'Speed Boost'.
This will give you 0.02 delay between zones.
This is only recommended if the product is hard wired.

If you're running on WiFi (FML) then you will need to choose standard.


If the product is on WiFi, you can choose different audio delays... either 'audio sync on' or 'audio sync off'. This will introduce a delay when you're linking things like turntables etc.



To check how the product has been connected on someone else's install - you should go to the products 'Room Settings' and then 'Information' tab and looking at 'Connection'.
If it's set to 'wired' then you're connected via Ethernet, if it's set to 'wireless' - you're using WiFi. The older SKU's like WXA50's can run as wireless extenders and will show up as 'Extend1'. I ALWAYS turn this off...
To turn it off, dial into the products IP address and choose to connect as 'wired'.

Also, I'm not sure what the comment about MusicCast having only a handful of services is on about... there's Spotify Free + Spotify Premium, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon Music, Sirius, Qobuz, Airplay (Airplay 2 on new products), net radio (Airable), bluetooth in + out and server compatibility.

I would like to see more playlists and better implementation for search - but it's rock solid. If you're not getting products to set up, you need to just follow the instructions on the MusicCast app.

So, there will be a 20ms delay between hardwired network MusicCast player output and speakers directly wired to a receiver?

I installed an amplified MusicCast piece (WXA-50) and connected the line out to a Yamaha AV receiver and there's when I stand at the midpoint between the speakers, I hear no delay between the rooms.

What happens when you turn this around a bit and play a terrestrial ratio station or turntable connected on the receiver's speakers and WAX-50 or other MusicCast speakers?

Feedback is available for volume on the Marantz AVR and the Link. No feedback on the stand alone speakers. but vol control on all of it. We do use the SG object with it. Crestron has the module in their app store.

Thanks for all the comments. It sounds like Heos and MusicCast are the best choices for integration. The feature pack and sources look very similar between the two so it's which speaker/form factor you like better or what receiver camp your in. As always a quality network is needed for both and hardwire if you can.

I heard the MusicCast speakers at a product demo and liked the sound, but when I asked the rep if they had ever discussed using a brick-style power supply, he asked why they would want to do that. I said that it would be an easy way to replace on-wall speakers with a streaming speaker because no outlet would be needed and he said "But these double the power when the impedance drops to 4 Ohms". As they passed the smallest speaker around the room, I looked at the label and saw that power consumption is 10W. 10W at 120VAC is a whole lot of not much power, so current-restricted wiring like normal speakers use is fine for that, even if the power supply voltage used is 12VAC.

The use of a brick power supply would also make this a great way to replace an ABUS system.