[cody69]

I'm currently using AirPort Express to play songs from my Itunes library on a Mac mini to my downstairs listening system. I would like to expand audio content to include internet music... Pandora, etc. Posts on this forum recommend Airfoil to handle the streaming. Are there any other solutions out there beyond Airfoil to consider?

Today when I am listening downstairs I use IPod Touch running Apple Remote to control the music being played from Itunes. What is available to allow similar remote control of the music being played from Safari... eg., to change Pandora stations?

I'm using a 2010 Mac mini as music source, playing to an AirPort Express connected via optic coax to a Musical Fidelity V-DAC driving my 2-channel amp downwtairs. An Airport Extreme router provides the wireless network connecting the upstairs system with the AEX downstairs.

[eclein]

Logitech Squeezebox Touch, they are easy and sound good.

[skunark]

I'm currently using AirPort Express to play songs from my Itunes library on a Mac mini to my downstairs listening system. I would like to expand audio content to include internet music... Pandora, etc. Posts on this forum recommend Airfoil to handle the streaming. Are there any other solutions out there beyond Airfoil to consider?

Today when I am listening downstairs I use IPod Touch running Apple Remote to control the music being played from Itunes. What is available to allow similar remote control of the music being played from Safari... eg., to change Pandora stations?

I'm using a 2010 Mac mini as music source, playing to an AirPort Express connected via optic coax to a Musical Fidelity V-DAC driving my 2-channel amp downwtairs. An Airport Extreme router provides the wireless network connecting the upstairs system with the AEX downstairs.

Just wait a spell and you will notice several apps on your iPod Touch that will have airplay features so you can stream to your airport express.     VLC had that feature if you were lucky enough to download it before a VLC developer asked Apple to pull it.  A guess, but I bet Pandora will have that feature next update.

[etcarroll]

cody69 -

Is it important to stay with all Apple gear?

If not, as eclein says the Logitech products do this. I have a Duet streaming flac wireless from my media server running WHS and squeezeserver. I also have streams from a variety of Boston radio stations, the Linn hirez Classical and Jazz stations, Radio Paradise, and as of yesterday, my Pandora stations.

Gene

[cody69]

I hope you're right about some new apps coming down the pike that will support streaming to Apple Express. It seems like a logical capability to have, which is why I was checking to see what solutions are available beyond airfoil.

Gene, eclein - I've just converted our household to apple products this past Christmas, which I really like, and as such, am not real keen on adding new hardware like Logitech's Squeezebox -- but I appreciate the suggestions.

I just noticed airfoil can be demo'd for free and tried out for 10 minutes. I downloaded it and tried out briefly. I didn't tinker with settings as I was in a bit of a rush, but it sounded pretty un-engaging. The streamed Pandora audio sounded quite a bit more 1-dimensional and thin than when I play directly from my Mac mini to Music Streamer II in the upstairs system. Again, it could be I need to check into airfoil configuration settings.

[JohnR]

I also have streams from a variety of Boston radio stations, the Linn hirez Classical and Jazz stations, Radio Paradise, and as of yesterday, my Pandora stations.

iTunes streams internet radio, so I think the issue here must be content from sites that aren't a simple stream. I can't access Pandora so don't really know why it's so great. Pandora does have an iOS player but then I have no idea how you get it from your iDevice to the stereo.

Technology - making your life simpler 

[chrisby]

Apple TV could be another relatively inexpensive option.  I set mine up only a couple of days ago, so the honeymoon's not yet over, and I'm only using the HDMI output to a compatible receiver, but IIMN it also includes a Toslink output, so provided that your remote system has appropriate inputs, you could be good to go. 
It might seem like a bit of waste of its capabilities to use only for audio, but the price is more than reasonable - indeed I think it's one of the better values in the current Apple product line. 

In addition to the very slick aluminum remote, it can be controlled to a degree from iPhone, MacBook or desktop iMac - when my son & I were playing with this the other night, we had a total of 4 of the above in the network, and started to play dueling remotes. When tech is involved, I guess we never completely grow-up