> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://openriver.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # New Stereo Setup - URL: https://openriver.net/projects/new-stereo-setup/ - Published: 2013-10-02T05:50:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-18T21:14:45.000Z - Author: chris - Tags: Projects I call my website "The Stereo Lab". This was an idea of mine while I was expecting my first child. I pictured our home having a large room with a stereo and work spaces for each family member. No TV! I pictured us creating, making and learning together in this room as a family. My 2nd child was born recently and when I returned home from a long stay in the hospital I was ready for a mini-project. Mini-project because I have no time for real projects right now. I decided that we would need something other than a laptop with USB powered speakers if I wanted to make a real life Stereo Lab. Here were my problems: 1. All of my music is digital and stored on a personal computer not available for family use. This is the computer I use to rip CDs and purchase music on. I needed any changes to this music library to be mirrored on the device serving the music in the family room. 2. The only device I had to serve music to the family room was a laptop with a non-functioning keyboard and trackpad, and with a broken screen. 3. The only speakers I had were USB powered and sounded awful. 4. I had only $180 to use towards this project. 1\. Automatically Syncing My Media Library with the Family Room Stereo I turned to a free tool to accomplish this task: [SyncBack Free](http://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/freeware-hub.html) by [2BrightSparks](https://www.facebook.com/2BrightSparks). This is a great piece of software that lets you easily backup, synchronize and mirror directories either on the same local machine or across your network. In my case I created a share on the broken laptop and had SyncBack Free mirror my music library to this directory daily. Any new music I add to the collection or unwanted music I remove is then added\\removed from the laptop's library within 24 hours. 2\. Accessing Music on a Laptop with No Working Inputs and a Broken Screen. I considered attaching a computer monitor and external keyboard and mouse to the laptop. This takes a lot of space and was not an option for me. I have a Nexus 4 phone and my wife a Nexus 7\. My next idea was to use these devices to control the stereo. I first needed to setup my media player on the broken laptop. The player that best fit my needs was [foobar2000](http://www.foobar2000.org/) which is, in my opinion, the best media player for windows. It is open source, light weight, and very customizable. It is also free! On the Android side, I installed an app called [foobar2000 controller PRO](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cav.foobar2000controllerpro) by Sergi Mola. It costs $1.49 per device and was a great bargain. From this app on my android devices I can access my foobar music library and network shares. It has a lock screen widget and a standard widget with the PRO version. A free version is also available for testing purposes. Note that in order for this app to work with foobar I needed to install the foo\_httpcontrol component and follow[ these instructions](http://foobar2000controller.blogspot.com.es/p/how-to-start.html). 3\. Stereo Equipment To obtain a more enjoyable listening experience I needed to upgrade from my USB powered speakers. Being somewhat new to this area I decided to consult Professor Google for an education. I knew I wanted a 2.0 or 2.1 setup, but I was unfamiliar with which equipment and brands were desirable. The consensus seemed to be to purchase used equipment in good shape. Craigslist had slim pickings and I wanted something setup before my baby came home. Then I came across a very well informed gentleman by the handle of Zeos. I followed a thread he started on his [subreddit](http://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/comments/1fu7an/21%5Fsystem%5Foptions%5Fideas/). He also has some enjoyable reviews on his [youtube channel](http://www.youtube.com/user/ZE0SPantera). I pieced together this system: [Behringer UCA202 DAC -- $29.99](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KW2YEI?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwpuresimula-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000KW2YEI) (to convert my digital collection to analog) [Topping TP21 Amp -- $71.50](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CRLZGE/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005CRLZGE&linkCode=as2&tag=wwwpuresimula-20) (to power the speakers) [Dayton Audio B652 Speakers -- $51.99](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RMPHMU/ref=as%5Fli%5Ftf%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwpuresimula-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002RMPHMU) I did not have enough money for the 2.1 system, but when I buy an amp I most likely will go for the [Dayton Audio Sub-1000](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063NU3AA/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwpuresimula-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0063NU3AA). In 2 days time everything was delivered and setup. The system sounds amazing, especially for the price. This will also allow me to make modular upgrades as funds become available. 4\. I spent just under $180 for everything shipped. I had a good time learning a little about audio equipment. I can say my music sounds significantly better with this equipment and the family is really enjoying gathering around the stereo together.