Best way to stream audio from my computer to my stereo?

Cheesehead · August 5th, 2008, 08:04 PM

Anyone know of a cheap easy device that will allow me to stream my music files over a wireless network from my computer to my stereo?

BottyGuy · August 5th, 2008, 09:15 PM

I use a Slim Devices Squeezebox, you run server program on your PC or Mac, and point it to your Music Directory. It connects to your Stereo with RCA or Digital connections. I haven't seen anything better, they have two higher priced models with different features.

giginthesky · August 5th, 2008, 09:23 PM

that's pretty cool! the squeezebox looks just like a jeff beck tele!

Cheesehead · August 5th, 2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BottyGuy

I use a Slim Devices Squeezebox, you run server program on your PC or Mac, and point it to your Music Directory. It connects to your Stereo with RCA or Digital connections. I haven't seen anything better, they have two higher priced models with different features.

Can you play Rhapsody with it?

beep.click · August 6th, 2008, 02:24 AM

The cheapest way is a wire from the computer the stereo.

It's not wireless, like you're asking about, and it's technically not "streaming." But it works really, really well.

bradpdx · August 6th, 2008, 02:53 AM

I use an Apple Airport Express. It serves to extend my wireless network into the western end of the house (via WDS) and is an Airtunes receiver plugged into our downstairs stereo.

Airtunes natively allows you to stream any audio from iTunes to the Airport Express, but with the Airfoil application you can stream any audio on your system. All streaming is lossless audio. $99.

Works beautifully; we run a mixed OS house with Mac OS X, Windows XP and 2000 all participating.

kelnet · August 6th, 2008, 03:22 AM

http://www.roku.com/products_soundbridge.php

I've had this device for over a year now, and it is flawless. It will play all formats, including those pesky protected files from iTunes.
It's pretty inexpensive and very easy to use.

uniphasian · August 6th, 2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradpdx

I use an Apple Airport Express. It serves to extend my wireless network into the western end of the house (via WDS) and is an Airtunes receiver plugged into our downstairs stereo.

Airtunes natively allows you to stream any audio from iTunes to the Airport Express, but with the Airfoil application you can stream any audio on your system. All streaming is lossless audio. $99.

Works beautifully; we run a mixed OS house with Mac OS X, Windows XP and 2000 all participating.

I do this at several locations. All it takes is a set of powered speakers (I use the powered speakers from old computers) to play music all round the house.

Cheesehead · August 6th, 2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradpdx

I use an Apple Airport Express. It serves to extend my wireless network into the western end of the house (via WDS) and is an Airtunes receiver plugged into our downstairs stereo.

Airtunes natively allows you to stream any audio from iTunes to the Airport Express, but with the Airfoil application you can stream any audio on your system. All streaming is lossless audio. $99.

Works beautifully; we run a mixed OS house with Mac OS X, Windows XP and 2000 all participating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uniphasian

I do this at several locations. All it takes is a set of powered speakers (I use the powered speakers from old computers) to play music all round the house.

Is it difficult to set up? I was reading reviews at Amazon and many reviews say it is. Also I have an existing wireless network. Do I need/want to run it through the network? Sounds like additional work.

Also, I'd like to play Rhapsody through it. Can I do this with the $99 unit or do I need to buy additional software? Does Airfoil come with it?

gibsonjunkie · August 6th, 2008, 11:08 AM

I would NOT get one of these. I tested one for Amazon and it had too many flaws.

uniphasian · August 6th, 2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheesehead

Is it difficult to set up? I was reading reviews at Amazon and many reviews say it is. Also I have an existing wireless network. Do I need/want to run it through the network? Sounds like additional work.

Also, I'd like to play Rhapsody through it. Can I do this with the $99 unit or do I need to buy additional software? Does Airfoil come with it?

Not sure about Rhapsody...

I use the Airport Express boxes since my music runs on iTunes and these devices work well with iTunes. I had a little trouble getting the Airport Express routers to find the network, but I attributed that to the fact that my wireless router is a Linksys. I bet if my wireless router was an Apple device it would be a little easier to setup.

Still, for a little bit of setup hassle, I saved the need to run ethernet cable to four locations in my home (I live in an older home that is not all wired up), and I have the flexibililty of moving the music around (to the garage, for example) if I want to - even for a short time.

The remote Airport Express boxes need to be setup while hard-wired to the router via an ethernet connection. Once you have them set up with your wireless security access info, they should discover the wireless network and be visable to iTunes. I can use iTunes to easily switch different sets of speakers on and off as I need.

bradpdx · August 6th, 2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uniphasian

Not sure about Rhapsody...

I I bet if my wireless router was an Apple device it would be a little easier to setup.

The remote Airport Express boxes need to be setup while hard-wired to the router via an ethernet connection. Once you have them set up with your wireless security access info, they should discover the wireless network and be visable to iTunes. I can use iTunes to easily switch different sets of speakers on and off as I need.

I use all Apple network hardware, and I never have had to connect via an Ethernet cable to configure - you shouldn't have to unless something is incorrectly configured elsewhere in the network. Everything is done via Bonjour with both Mac and Windows applications. Bonjour is an open specification for network discovery. Unless you have shut down UDP traffic on your internal network, it should work (check that pesky Windows firewall, too).

Rhapsody (and any other audio source) can be sent to Airport Express via the cross-platform Airfoil. Works beautifully, I use it to listen to Pandora all around the house.

Airfoil does NOT come with Airport Express, it is a third party product, $25.

kelnet · August 6th, 2008, 05:20 PM

Apple's Airport requires you to run your music from your computer. Roku connects directly to your stereo and allows you to access playlists, songs, and albums through the Roku device itself. My computer is upstairs from the stereo, so I don't want to have to run up and down stairs if I want to change the music. I can do that right on the Roku, using a very visible screen and useful remote.
You can create specific playlists or let it play randomly. It accesses Internet radio.
It also works fine with Rhapsody, no third party required.

BottyGuy · August 6th, 2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheesehead

Can you play Rhapsody with it?

All the Slim Devices players work with Rhapsody, I don't use that service so I can't tell you how well it works. I have SIRIUS in my car but in order to use it with the player I would need to upgrade for $3 more a month (128kbps service) so I don't, I mostly stream WNCW to my Sqeezebox when I'm not listening to my own collection.

From the web site:
Squeezebox Classic offers you the widest choice of listening options beyond your digital media collection. The product includes a directory of thousands of internet radio stations and features Pandora's personalized internet radio, Rhapsody's collection of millions of songs, and SIRIUS Internet Radio's 64 Channels of 100% Commercial-Free Music. All internet music streaming services are even available when your computer is turned off.

August 5th, 2008, 08:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cheesehead Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Age: 44 Posts: 1,121 6 Photos	Best way to stream audio from my computer to my stereo? Anyone know of a cheap easy device that will allow me to stream my music files over a wireless network from my computer to my stereo? __________________ "This is blues power!" Albert King

August 6th, 2008, 02:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
beep.click Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 49 Posts: 2,220	The cheapest way is a wire from the computer the stereo. It's not wireless, like you're asking about, and it's technically not "streaming." But it works really, really well. __________________ "It looked like a giant green gum drop to me."

August 6th, 2008, 02:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
bradpdx Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portland, OR Age: 50 Posts: 904 1 Photos	I use an Apple Airport Express. It serves to extend my wireless network into the western end of the house (via WDS) and is an Airtunes receiver plugged into our downstairs stereo. Airtunes natively allows you to stream any audio from iTunes to the Airport Express, but with the Airfoil application you can stream any audio on your system. All streaming is lossless audio. $99. Works beautifully; we run a mixed OS house with Mac OS X, Windows XP and 2000 all participating. __________________ ---------- Tech Geek and Sensitive Artiste String bender ordinare!

August 6th, 2008, 11:08 AM	#10 (permalink)
gibsonjunkie Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bloomfield, Connecticut Age: 55 Posts: 648	I would NOT get one of these. I tested one for Amazon and it had too many flaws. __________________ The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese...

August 5th, 2008, 09:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
BottyGuy Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: North Carolina Age: 48 Posts: 203	I use a Slim Devices Squeezebox, you run server program on your PC or Mac, and point it to your Music Directory. It connects to your Stereo with RCA or Digital connections. I haven't seen anything better, they have two higher priced models with different features.

August 5th, 2008, 09:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
giginthesky Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: south jersey Age: 37 Posts: 1,211 6 Photos	that's pretty cool! the squeezebox looks just like a jeff beck tele!

August 6th, 2008, 03:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
kelnet Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Port Moody, BC Posts: 883	http://www.roku.com/products_soundbridge.php I've had this device for over a year now, and it is flawless. It will play all formats, including those pesky protected files from iTunes. It's pretty inexpensive and very easy to use.

August 6th, 2008, 05:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
kelnet Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Port Moody, BC Posts: 883	Apple's Airport requires you to run your music from your computer. Roku connects directly to your stereo and allows you to access playlists, songs, and albums through the Roku device itself. My computer is upstairs from the stereo, so I don't want to have to run up and down stairs if I want to change the music. I can do that right on the Roku, using a very visible screen and useful remote. You can create specific playlists or let it play randomly. It accesses Internet radio. It also works fine with Rhapsody, no third party required.