I want to update my ancient music system in the kitchen.
The objective is to improve sound quality while maintaining (or improving) the ease of use.
Must haves: The system must be able to play all music from a macmini itunes library (which includes DRMed and not DRMedAACs, mp3s,mostly ALAC up to 24/96 (down sampled playback or skipping a track is OK but just stopping is not). The user should be able to easily select any music (by artist, album or playlist) and play it with minimum number of steps – not exceeding the current. Particular focus is on this aspect – the new system must not complicate the process and preferably simplify it. If the system powers down automatically it should wake up by itself if music is sent to it. If it does not power down it must have very low power consumption when not playing.
Nice to haves: Preference for active speakers. White/silver sleek modern styling. Least number of boxes and cables, including power supplies.
Budget: Unlimited, but the less the better, other things being equal.
Currently, the music is played locally from an 3rd Gen ipod (which has all music library copied to it) via a small speaker dock. The current operation is: the dock is permanently plugged in, the ipod is permanently in the dock. 1. Switch dock on, 2. Wake ipod by a touch, 3 select music (maybe several steps here). 4 press play. To sitch off: 1. Press stop 2. Switch dock off.
Ideally, I want a system with two speakers, with own amplification and own touch screen which can pull music from the library wirelessly and play all of the files (i.e. no need to bring in and use additional hardware e.g. iphone to control it and/or send music to it).
What currently available systems will allow the above?
The objective is to improve sound quality while maintaining (or improving) the ease of use.
Must haves: The system must be able to play all music from a macmini itunes library (which includes DRMed and not DRMedAACs, mp3s,mostly ALAC up to 24/96 (down sampled playback or skipping a track is OK but just stopping is not). The user should be able to easily select any music (by artist, album or playlist) and play it with minimum number of steps – not exceeding the current. Particular focus is on this aspect – the new system must not complicate the process and preferably simplify it. If the system powers down automatically it should wake up by itself if music is sent to it. If it does not power down it must have very low power consumption when not playing.
Nice to haves: Preference for active speakers. White/silver sleek modern styling. Least number of boxes and cables, including power supplies.
Budget: Unlimited, but the less the better, other things being equal.
Currently, the music is played locally from an 3rd Gen ipod (which has all music library copied to it) via a small speaker dock. The current operation is: the dock is permanently plugged in, the ipod is permanently in the dock. 1. Switch dock on, 2. Wake ipod by a touch, 3 select music (maybe several steps here). 4 press play. To sitch off: 1. Press stop 2. Switch dock off.
Ideally, I want a system with two speakers, with own amplification and own touch screen which can pull music from the library wirelessly and play all of the files (i.e. no need to bring in and use additional hardware e.g. iphone to control it and/or send music to it).
What currently available systems will allow the above?