Streaming music via network (WLAN or mains).

[Peterkins]

Hello,

I already have the equipment on my signature below, and not well versed in streaming standards or services and would be grateful for any input or suggestions.

I wish to be able to stream music from my study, where I have all my computers, NAS or streaming services etc. to my AV system in the living room. I also have a CD collection that I would love to store on a NAS or what ever, and be able to play them to my AV system or other PCs in bedroom or kitchen, with minimum loss of quality.

Regarding connection of the computer network to the AV system:

Would an N standard WLAN suffice, or would I be better having a network connection via the mains cables (with 200 Mbs speed stated).

I intend to subscribe to one of the music streaming services on the Internet such as Spotify, Rhapsody streaming or others. Still trying to find out the difference in these Internet services. Would I need any special equipment to provide better sound, such as DAC? Then in case of that, where would I connect this DAC or whatever else?

Thanks in advance for all suggestions and comments.

/Peter

 

[Peterkins]

Hi again,

Would just like to add, I do not have a NAS as yet, so any suggestions of a NAS solution would be most welcome....

 

[mattjax05]

Peter, seen as you have an iPod Touch I'm guessing you use iTunes. If you do you could use it's 'home sharing' feature - basically this will enable other computers on your network to see your music and visa versa. As for streaming to your AV you could get the Airport Express and download the Remote app from the App store on your Touch. With these you could stream iTunes music from your main pc (or NAS at a later date) to the AE which would be connected to your AV all controlled by your Touch. And with the addition of Airfoil (which I think you install on your pc) you can stream any other sources (spotify etc) to the AE.

Not sure if the Remote app will work with Home Sharing though.

As for a DAC, you will already have one in your AV and there should be a 'Stereo' mode to try. You could get an external DAC which would connect between the AE and your AV if you wanted though. But first I'd get your music streaming network set up and THEN upgrade if necessary.

Another alternative, which I use, is a Logitech Squeezebox Receiver which connects to your amplifier. Music from your pc/nas will be streamed to it. Again there is an app on your Touch (iPeng) to control the Receiver. A couple of caveats though and that's you need to ensure any NAS you buy has Squeezebox Server pre-installed. This Server is responsible for organising your music collection. And setting up the Receiver is a bit of a pain using the Touch and a 3rd party player (Logitech do sell their own remote but it's too expensive) But there is plenty of assistance on the forums.

I'd go down the AE route purely for simplicity.

 

[Peterkins]

Hi Mattjax05,

Many thanks for your detailed response.

Being new to streaming, I will need to digest all the information, so that I understand everything correctly.

Regards Peter

 

[Anonymous]

Check out
http://www.simpleeditions.com/8001/how-to-stream-spotify-wirelessly-to-your-stereo
for options.

How would you want to operate your system? I think your television is dnla capable, so can see devices in your network that act as dnla music (and pics, movies..) servers (like most NASses, but also windows media player 11 can be set up as dnla server for the music stored on your pc).Check your tv's manual to find out what it can play. You can then operate your system with your tv remote, on screen, and the tv picks up the stream and sends the information digitally to your av amp (or a dac) I assume.

But: Unfortunately Spotify is (surprisingly) not dnla capable (yet?) and this is your prime interest. So this is a pretty useless reply... There are some hacks/developments though to convert Spotify to a stream, I guess the apple route is the easiest now, you'd have to find out if you like the control by your ipod I guess.

 

[Peterkins]

Thanks Pete10

I will have a read and will certainly have questions later.

Best regards

Peter