New Audio Client & New Brew With Halibut 13Feb18

I've "struggled" to replace my SlimDevices clients and SlimServer to stream a TB of music to my main audio systems on the main level and theater level @ Blodgett. True especially now that whatever is chosen must support decoding FLAC. All my SlimDevices ultimately failed and the SlimServer was already ponderous and slow as a music server. Plex is already my go to DVR/Server for video and provides me access to recordings & live broadcasts from anywhere on "any" system or device (PCs via browsers, TVs via Roku Plex app, and iDevices via Plex app). It is awesome and runs blazes on my Win7 server. Recent releases have Plex spitting out FLAC (or decoding) no prob now. I've used it previously for LoFi audio on our iDevices and computers already (not a big use model) but because Roku boxes are HDMI into my AV systems, and because digital rights management, DRM, doesn't allow a digital or analog "copy" from HDMI to either digital or analog audio only, I can't use it on Roku to output to Zone 2 on my receiver, yet I need that as it is the whole house audio out - most important for outside above the spa. Enter Chromecast Audio decoding FLAC casted from the Plex app spitting FLAC no issue to my receiver for main or Zone 2. UI-wise I simply choose tunes from my iPhone and cast it to the Chromecast Audio - eazy peazy $35 solution; rock the spa. Hey, I can even order up the tunes I want for this via voice control to my phone or Google Home.

While I'm chasing these mods I made an awesome red curry halibut with red chili sesame seared baby bok choy and chased it with Great Divide's new Hop Disciples IPA - a rotating hop project and worthy.

Noteworthy in this whacky winter is that if you are bound to the Nest, watch the ice slick as you enter our private drive - it may be hidden by snow but it is there and super slippery. Drive slowly and carefully.