Going wireless...

hundredwaters · « **on:** 19 May 2011, 12:18 am »

I am in the process of expanding my house mesic 'delivery' system and was curious how people deal with streaming music to different AMPs. I pick up a new iMac today and have a bel canto c5i coming shortly. I had been using itunes and airtunes for some time (not without lots of annoying glitches!) and have yet to upgrade to another player, only recently reading that there are players that sound better than itunes. All my music is ripped from redbook into Apple Lossless. Any recommendations for how to fill the different rooms via streaming? Any recs for Airfoil with one of the other players vs. Sonos vs. Squeezebox vs. something else? Too bad Naim doesnt sell a streaming device sans integrated amp/cd player like sonos...

Would I be best off converting everything to FLAC and using a Sonos?

thanks

HW

Crimson · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 May 2011, 01:11 pm »

Hi and welcome to AC!

Apple provides the Airport Express and Apple TV as wireless receivers if you want to stick with AirTunes and 16/44.1. If you want hi-res, I think Squeezebox offers resolutions up to 24/96. Not sure about the others. I'd stay away from Airfoil for any serious listening, and go wired for hi-res.

chrisby · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 May 2011, 08:43 pm »

I guess we shouldn't hold our collective breath waiting for possible outcomes of Apple's rumored enlistment of Mr Holman, but one can't help but daydream ....

Until then, I think Crimson's advise is worthy - wired for best fidelity/resolution, and wireless for clutterfree convenience (particularly for multiple rooms/systems). Since updating my Airport Extreme to a Time Machine a few month ago, almost all of the dropouts etc I've encountered in my all wireless system ( Aex and ATV2) have been related to the web stream radio station feeds - almost none at all on tunes ripped from CDs.

Of course, there's lots of room for discussion as to which data I/O format and make/type of cabling, DACs etc are "best" (the one that's already paid for?

) - which is one reason I've been sitting on the fence on this for the better part of a year.

SLC · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 May 2011, 10:16 pm »

I stream also from iTunes to Airport Express via a Time machine as well. I like the convenience of wireless. I have a Musical Fidelity V-Dac connected to the Airport Express then via Toslink to my receiver. The V-Dac up-converts the signal to Hi Rez. Sounds really good. I have an occasional drop out but not often.

hundredwaters · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 May 2011, 06:51 am »

thanks for the feedback... all greatly appreciated (I was wondering if I was going to get any response to that post...)

hundredwaters · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 May 2011, 06:51 am »

anyone have any thoughts or experience with this?

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CASONP30

perhaps i could go wired where the computer is (bel canto c5i, johnblue JB3's, both on their way) and use the Cambridge network player for the main system in the living room (Magnum Dynalab MD 209, Guru Pro Audio QM 60 's).

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 May 2011, 12:21 pm »

If you want to avoid wireless dropout issues/possibilities and keep things Apple, maybe look into getting the ATV 1? It has an internal 160 gb hard drive. I've had one for about 2 years now with zero issues.

Last I checked, they were still being sold on Amazon by Apple.

cody69 · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 May 2011, 12:06 pm »

I have a mac mini near my main system and use USB connection to send music to a Music Streamer II DAC. My remote system is similar to SLC... Airport Express, toslink to MF V-DAC. I had some drop-out problems that have largely gone away when I replaced my wireless router with Apple Airport Extreme. Remote running on Ipod Touch makes it easy to control song selection for both. I am very satisfied with this configuration and haven't had the urge to start upgrading it.... yet.