Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

Not sure if this is the correct thread for this, but there may be some people who could answer my question.
I have a feeling what I am after may have been around 10-15 yrs ago but is there is probably no longer a market for it.

Is there such a thing as a standalone MP3 player that will take a microSD card, have a small screen to navigate folders/music and an integrated speaker?
Or something very similar that could stream from my NAS or Spotify (still with integrated speaker and small display).

Sound needs to be reasonable, but not off the scale.

It is for our bedroom, we do not have phones in the bedroom (so that route is a definite no-no). I don't want two devices coupled up (old MP3 player to a BT speaker for example). Also, I don't want any kind of Alexa style device!

Wiim Ultra?
Plenty of streamers with a screen, no idea which ones aren’t annoying to use.
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/streamers-c-6423.html

Edit: ok including speakers and stuff in one box? I have a smart radio in the kitchen that does Spotify and stuff, but interface and so on are BAD.

Maybe this one, no idea about availability.
https://teufel.de/radio-3sixty-107000611

We have this one, it’s ok as you can push the power button and it plays (internet) radio.
But the whole experience isn’t great.
https://www.hifiklubben.de/argon-audio-radio3i-mk2-internetradio/argradio3imk2wh/

Roberts revival looks like it can take a usb stick in the top I think? (Plus Spotify, internet radio etc if you wish). Plus the screen is on top which feels good for no/low screen bedroom points it the aesthetic otherwise fits.

What's the use case where you don't want to just use an old usb stick MP3 player tucked behind some/a nice active speakers?

Don't know about sound quality particularly but I think people like the range and a casual listening level.

Sonos is probably the biggest player in that market. They are pretty decent.

An old iPhone and one of those zeppelin things?

A mate did that. Albeit quite a long time ago now.

The more I think about it the more I think that an old ipod and a B&W Zeplin is the way to go.

The ipod was the pinnacle of music file navigation.

Trying not to get sucked into the Internet, but there is a whole world of upgrading old ipods in the hunt for a simpler music experience.

If you've got a NAS that you can run a DLNA server on then there's plenty of options.

I've got a Revo superconnect that ticks all the boxes. Interface isn't amazing but perfectly usable. https://www.revoaudio.co.uk/superconnect-walnut-silver/ I got it a fair bit cheaper than that from their outlet store.

Thanks everyone, these are all good suggestions, I'll take a look at them all.

I don’t think I’ve heard take five sounds so beautiful but I guess it should through this set up.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDzW0wTN7I0/?igsh=MWNsa2g0d3NqM3luZg==

Is anyone using a vintage mixing deck instead of a preamp? What would be an old, high quality one to use with normal line inputs (phono stage, tape player...)?

Maybe an old Vestax or something, but they don’t look cheap! Black Market Records used to have a Maplin one, legitimised it enough that I got the same one!

I've just bought an old Soundcraft Spirit F1 for the price of 2 bottles of wine and it sounds better than any pre-amp I've got (valve, passive or SS). If I knew which other mixing desk has good pre-amps - it would be worth a punt...

Do line inputs go through a pre-amp and is that the some microphone pre-amp?

I used to but use a modern one now. They tend to have a sonic signature until you get to the high end stuff. Allen & Heath make some decent ones. Probably worth looking at an analog DJ mixer as they are compact and prioritise line input.

Elderly Wharfedales all good! Looks like one of the drivers has been reglued but all seems ok. The sound is exactly what I was hoping for, far more relaxed than my B&Ws. So, a worthwhile exercise as I've confirmed that (a) I'm not an 'audiophile' which is a relief (b) you've got to listen to speaker/amp combinations, reviews/price is not a good guide.

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I'm not an 'audiophile'

That much is clear from the casters 🙂

has any one in particular striked you as being particularly melodic? it would be fun to find an early small broadcast console with RIAA inputs. even collectible ones cost only around 300 - which is way less than a decent preamp. Good eq, phase switching ... so much fun

this is the musical mess

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I'll have you know they are little plastic feet!!

Another eBay purchase. Seems genuine low stands are relatively rare and expensive.

“ If I knew which other mixing desk has good pre-amps - it would be worth a punt...”

Rupert Neve.
He also does a phono stage that is well regarded.

yep, a lot of money, mind you, probably good value still

Casters were popular back in the 1970s on speaker stands.

Not outside of the Neve, Trident sort of stuff and it’s all massive to be using just as a preamp. It’s mostly about functionality and not getting a flavour that doesn’t suit the source/amp/speakers.

I’ve always got on with the Gemini DJ stuff and A&H mixers but that’s just personal taste.

It's more of a fetish - but big stuff that's outdated can be had for little money and if space not an issue...