Downloading music on a USB stick

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

I have a Arcam mini solo, amplifier and integrated CD player. On it a USB connection, which I wanted to use for music that I have to download, before purchasing it. I have no idea how to do this in the fastest way and which format. Any advice would be most welcome.
Thanks for the effort.

[drogulus]

     What exactly don't you know how to do?

     Do you not know how to>>>

     1) Download the music to your PC?

     2) Convert your FLAC files to WMA Lossless?

     3) Copy or drag the file folders onto your portable HD?

     4) Safely unplug the drive and plug it into the Arcam?

     5) Play the files?

Press the top panel Source button to cycle through the available signal sources and select USB, or press the remote control FRONT button twice. Connect the storage device and navigate through the folders and files with the remote control selection keys to choose a track, then press (play) on the remote control (or (play) on the top panel) to play the track.

[drogulus]

     DRM for older files is the only obstacle I see. Or maybe aac/m4a which you don't want to double compress. You could just expand non-mp3s to WMA Lossless to preserve quality if space isn't an issue, which these days it shouldn't be.

[DavidW]

You'll have to consult the manual for your player to see what file format it supports.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

     What exactly don't you know how to do?

     Do you not know how to>>>

     1) Download the music to your PC?

     2) Convert your FLAC files to WMA Lossless?

     3) Copy or drag the file folders onto your portable HD?

     4) Safely unplug the drive and plug it into the Arcam?

     5) Play the files?

Press the top panel Source button to cycle through the available signal sources and select USB, or press the remote control FRONT button twice. Connect the storage device and navigate through the folders and files with the remote control selection keys to choose a track, then press (play) on the remote control (or (play) on the top panel) to play the track.

I want to download music from Spotify to my USB stick, so I may play it on my Arcam. Just need a logical run through of what to do.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

You'll have to consult the manual for your player to see what file format it supports.

Yes will do that!

[Opus106]

I want to download music from Spotify to my USB stick...

Correct me if I'm wrong, Harry: Spotify is a streaming service; i.e. you must play the music only by accessing it through their web (and mobile?)-interface or a supported media player, and ripping the stream amounts to a copyright infringement (or whatever the lawmakers call it). Not that ripping it isn't possible , but you'll have to jump through a few more hoops to achieve that.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Correct me if I'm wrong, Harry: Spotify is a streaming service; i.e. you must play the music only by accessing it through their web (and mobile?)-interface or a supported media player, and ripping the stream amounts to a copyright infringement (or whatever the lawmakers call it). Not that ripping it isn't possible , but you'll have to jump through a few more hoops to achieve that.

I am willing to subscribe to Spotify, and download it on my computer and then on a USB stick, but I am really ignorant, for what you are saying this is not possible? Geeshhh much more difficult as I thought.

[Opus106]

I am willing to subscribe to Spotify, and download it on my computer and then on a USB stick, but I am really ignorant, for what you are saying this is not possible?

Forgive me, Harry; I'm the ignorant one in this case. I went through their website and it appears that downloading is possible.

[BobsterLobster]

Spotify state in their t&c that you're not allowed to record their streams. However, it is possible and undetectabe (in theory...), and should you wish to go down this path, you should check out a program called Replay Music (http://applian.com/replay-music/), but you'll need some patience and perseverance as classical music is quite hard to rip easily with this method, as there are so many pauses and silences within each track.

[Opus106]

Spotify state in their t&c that you're not allowed to record their streams.

The UK site has a download option.

High-quality listening

MP3s purchased from Spotify are DRM-free and of high-quality at 320kbps*. Burn them to an audio CD, sync them to an MP3 player or make a backup – they are yours to enjoy as you please.

http://www.spotify.com/uk/about/downloads/

Not sure if this applies to the Netherlands site: http://www.spotify.com/nl/get-spotify/overview/

[drogulus]

     Could you perhaps get an iPod and use the Arcam iDock? Spotify will let you do that.

     From the Spotify site:

    Manage your iPod in Spotify! For the first time, seamlessly manage any iPod classic, iPod nano and iPod shuffle in Spotify. Simply connect your iPod to your computer via your USB cable and watch it magically appear in the new 'Devices' section of your Spotify sidebar.Sync all the MP3s contained in your Spotify playlists to your iPod, and purchase the rest through...

    The all-new Spotify download service! Listening to the music you want to hear, wherever you want it, just got a whole lot simpler - and cheaper.Your playlists are special to you. You've spent untold hours putting together your own mix-tape masterpieces on your computer and want to take them with you, but without the trouble of having to buy each track separately, switching music players or breaking the bank? Then look no further. Spotify's new MP3 download service makes it possible to own your playlists in one easy step. By introducing a range of MP3 bundles, we've been able to offer you some of the most competitive prices available - from as little as 50p per song.

    Spotify Mobile app now available to all! iPod integration was your biggest request, but there are also a lot of Spotify Free users out there who are iPhone and Android phone owners. You asked for the ability to buy your MP3 playlists and sync to your phones. So we've got you covered too...As of today, everyone can download the Spotify Mobile iPhone & Android apps to wirelessly sync your MP3 playlists in Spotify from your computer to your phone. Fire up your mobile app and see your phone appear in the 'Devices' section of the Spotify sidebar, ready to rock and roll. No cables required! And did we mention it's now possible to wirelessly sync these playlists to your iPod touch?


     

[BobsterLobster]

Ah, you're going to pay for the downloads!

[DavidW]

I use spotify on my ipod touch, it works like a charm.  If playing spotify on your hifi was your goal, you might want to hang onto your ipod Harry (unless it's a classic, nano or shuffle).  But if you have a smartphone you could accomplish the same.

About the downloading-- you can download albums onto your PC, but they are DRMd up so that you can't copy them elsewhere and play them.  The drm-free ones are what you pay for (not covered by the cost of streaming at all).  You can also download on your ipod with the spotify app.

[Szykneij]

     Could you perhaps get an iPod ...   

   Is anyone else chuckling?

[Opus106]

   Is anyone else chuckling?

I did, actually, before going to bed.

[Willoughby earl of Itacarius]

Thanks Gents, the feedback I got, is enough for me to decide which way to go. Things in the digital age looks easy, but its far from it. I will use my Samsung Note smartphone as carrier.