[ajzepp]

Okay, so with the help of you guys, especially SRB, I was able to get my iTunes up and running as my  music server for my main audio rig. After that, you guys told me about the "remote" app for my iPhone, which has become more reliable and more effective than the Squeezebox Duet remote that I had been using previously. So now I just have my lap top unplugged, running on batter power, sitting near my computer...usb-to-spdif (dig coax) adapter into my DAC, and then DAC into my preamp. AMAZING sound, and extremely convenient. I love using the iPHone to control the music from my couch.

So now I was thinking about a bedroom system. Is it possible for me to use another Apple product in my bedroom to connect to whatever stereo system I end up putting in there, and also stream music from iTunes to the bedroom using the iPhone remote app to control it? Do I just need to put an airport express thing-a-ma-bob on my  network and attach it to the bedroom system?

Thanks! You guys have really helped me out...I never thought I already had a wireless system sitting around here that was BETTER than my Squeezebox Duet, and for basically no additional money spent!

[srb]

Do I just need to put an airport express thing-a-ma-bob on my network and attach it to the bedroom system?

Yep, either the Airport Express or Apple TV thing-a-ma-bobs will let you stream iTunes with a limitation to 16/48 resolution.  The Apple TV has Toslink optical and HDMI outputs only (no analog output) and requires connection to an HDMI TV (at least for setup); the Airport Express has the combination optical/analog output jack that can either connect to an external DAC with a MiniToslink optical cable, or you can use the built-in DAC's 1/8" stereo analog output.
 
A third party application, Airfoil, will also let you stream most other applications beyond iTunes (almost everything except Windows Media Center).
 
If you also want to stream video, get the Apple TV.  If you only want to stream audio, you can get a used Airport Express on eBay for $50 - $60.  Apple has sold so many of them, that you can almost always find a 'Buy It Now' one (if like me, you don't like the bidding process).  I bought all three of mine in that price range.
 
Steve

[ajzepp]

Thanks, SRB...great info as always! I've been reading up on these things, and I'm pretty sure the AppleTV box is going to be exactly what I need. I'll run the HDMI into my little LCD flat screen in the bedroom, and then the optical out into whichever Peachtree Audio model I pick up. That should be a pretty nice little bedroom system and should be able to do everything I need it to do.

The "remote" app on my iPhone will then be able to stream to the AppleTV thing too then, correct? (That is easily my favorite app...so much better than the Squeezebox Duet!)

[srb]

When an Apple TV or Airport Express joins the network, the Multiple Speakers dialog in iTunes on your computer will allow you to select which remote devices are active.
 

 
An Airplay Speakers dialog will be available in the iPhone Remote app to also select these device locations.
 

 
And finally, a similar dialog will also be available in the iTunes app on the iPhone and various other iPhone apps to stream content that is stored on the iPhone or being streamed from the Internet to the iPhone, and then to selected locations.
 
Steve

[ajzepp]

Wow...I love Apple

Thanks SRB! 

[chrisby]

My 2C worth - I'm using an AEX and ATV streamer in two different systems.  If at all possible within budget I'd definitely recommend an outboard DAC with the AEX - there are any number of affordable compact Toslink "black boxes" that will substantially out perform the chip in the AEX.

Are we still awaiting developments from the hiring of Tom Holman, or was that a dead-end?  One can only imagine what could come of that.  Time to start a wish list for X-mas 012?


As for the ATV, as it's generally gonna be used in conjunction with either a surround processor or TV with HDMI & optical inputs, it has no need for an internal DAC

[Doublej]

Are we still awaiting developments from the hiring of Tom Holman, or was that a dead-end?  One can only imagine what could come of that.  Time to start a wish list for X-mas 012?

You'll hear about him at the launch of the itelevision.

[ajzepp]

My 2C worth - I'm using an AEX and ATV streamer in two different systems.  If at all possible within budget I'd definitely recommend an outboard DAC with the AEX - there are any number of affordable compact Toslink "black boxes" that will substantially out perform the chip in the AEX.

Are we still awaiting developments from the hiring of Tom Holman, or was that a dead-end?  One can only imagine what could come of that.  Time to start a wish list for X-mas 012?


As for the ATV, as it's generally gonna be used in conjunction with either a surround processor or TV with HDMI & optical inputs, it has no need for an internal DAC

Thanks, Chrisby...I'm probably going to go with the ATV, but in either case the Peachtree Audio unit has it's own highly regarded DAC, so that would be receiving the optical output from the ATV 

[chrisby]

Thanks, Chrisby...I'm probably going to go with the ATV, but in either case the Peachtree Audio unit has it's own highly regarded DAC, so that would be receiving the optical output from the ATV 

I wasn't aware of the Peachtree (sorry - a combination of laziness and ineptitude at navigating the systems and gallery links)

Which Peachtree unit exactly?  I've got to get on with some long range upgrade planning, and they're on my short list for a possible Mini music server  system.  Either that or upgrade a Denon AVR to Anthem MX series. 

[Bear]

Will the setup outlined in this thread work with jriver media center?  Perhaps media center has its own ap that would work with it?  All my music is FLAC in media center.

Sorry if this is too off topic.

thanks for any response.

edit:  I found an app called rivermote that works with iphone/ipod touch.  soo will jriver stream to apple tv/airport express?

bummer: WARNING:  Due to the lack of library access through JRMC SDK API the ability to browse your entire library is NOT available in Rivermote.

[srb]

You would need the third party Airfoil program to stream something other than iTunes to the Apple remote devices.  Airfoil supports J. River Media Center but it does not support Windows Media Center.
 
WASAPI cannot be enabled in exclusive mode in J. River when streaming with Airfoil if the local computer is also selected.
 
The Rivermote app, as you have discovered, does not have the flexibility that Apple Remote with iTunes has.  I use J. River Media Center with the computer hard wired to my main system DAC, and I usually use iTunes when streaming to the Airport Express/Apple TV remote locations.
 
Steve

[Bear]

Thank you, Have you tried the "web remote" with jriver?  I assume you have since you seem very knowlegable in this area?  I also assume you found it lacking since you use itunes for streaming?

Thanks
Shane

[srb]

I have tried the Web Remote for J. River Media Center.  It requires that you are running J. River Media Server on your computer.  It will let you browse the library but it is a bit clumsy.  You first open the web browser on the iDevice then choose the Web Remote link from your bookmarks.
 
If you are wanting to select an Artist, for example, you must scroll (and scroll and scroll and scroll) to the artist as there is no sidebar alphabet as in the iTunes Remote app.
 
If you are playing a song and want to pause or advance to the next song, you must scroll down a bit to reveal Play/Pause, Stop, Next and Previous links.
 
If you are using Airfoil to stream to an Apple device, you can obviously only adjust the J. River master volume within the Web Remote app.  To remotely separately adjust AirPlay location volumes like in the iTunes Remote app, you must install yet another Airfoil related app, such as Remote for Airfoil.  Then you are switching between the two apps for full functionality.
 
iTunes Remote seems like a lot less hassle and works better, so I use it for AirPlay streaming.  I manage my library within iTunes and J. River monitors the iTunes music folder.
 
Steve

[ajzepp]

I wasn't aware of the Peachtree (sorry - a combination of laziness and ineptitude at navigating the systems and gallery links)

Which Peachtree unit exactly?  I've got to get on with some long range upgrade planning, and they're on my short list for a possible Mini music server  system.  Either that or upgrade a Denon AVR to Anthem MX series.

How DARE you not know all the details about a product you didn't even realize I was talking about 

I'm not sure which of the Peachtrees I'm gonna pull the trigger on...on the one hand, the least expensive product - the Music Box - seems to do everything I need, especially since I don't really plan to do a lot of critical listening in the bedroom anyway. But then again, the nicer headphone amp and tube preamp stage in the better offerings (iNova, in particular) are tempting...

Oh well, at least Apple makes the decision easy 

[chrisby]

How DARE you not know all the details about a product you didn't even realize I was talking about 

I'm not sure which of the Peachtrees I'm gonna pull the trigger on...on the one hand, the least expensive product - the Music Box - seems to do everything I need, especially since I don't really plan to do a lot of critical listening in the bedroom anyway. But then again, the nicer headphone amp and tube preamp stage in the better offerings (iNova, in particular) are tempting...

Oh well, at least Apple makes the decision easy 

I long ago got over the fascination with headphones - I just never found the experience natural - so that's a feature I can certainly live without.

The Music box does look like a cute little bedroom/dorm/ office set-up, even if the basic speakers might be considered disposable, but for a Mini server based system I'd imagine the DACiT would contribute the least amount of redundancy - I mean who'd need the iPod/phone dock on iDAC other than as a charger?

But then again I could be all wet - any anecdotal experience as to the sonic advantages of either of these units?

[ajzepp]

That's exactly why I'm not sure I want to go gung-ho with expensive headphones and headphone amps just yet, too. I'm new to them, and I may end up feeling exactly as you do about them. So I bought a reasonably priced pair of Sennheisers (HD-518) and then I targeted the incorporation of the headphone amp in the p'tree as a plus since I was looking for a small bedroom system anyway.

I agree about the iPod doc, although initially that feature was a plus for me since I have not pulled the trigger on the apple airport express or AppleTV as of yet. I keep the files on my iPod in lossless format, so this "direct digital" dock looked appealing for that reason. But then I remembered the Apple streaming products, so goign with the Apple TV would certainly make the iPod dock redundant. I had even enquired about the Decco unit, since that has the other features (amp section, tube pre, headphone amp) without the dock, so I wasn't spending money on something I didn't need. My understanding from my local dealer is that that product is being phased out in anticipation of a newer version in January, so I may just wait to see what comes out. I'd certainly rather use the streaming of lossless files via the AppleTV, because that would solve my need for internet radio and would also give me a very nice interface on my flat screen LCD instead of futzing around with a docked iPod.

[lextek]

I'm using 2 AppleTVs and a Airport Express.  Whole house sound and video (ATVs).  Contolled my "Remote" on iPad or iPhone.  It really is amazing how well it works.

[ajzepp]

Absolutely. Dude, I was getting so frustrated with my Squeezebox Duet system...then I came over here, got some help from you all (again, with extra props to SRB), got my laptop connected to my rig, and then got the "remote" app fired up. So basically I already HAD a wireless system available to me without knowing it that 1) worked even BETTER than my Squeezebox, and 2) didn't cost a dime!!

And on top of all that, I have the best sound I've ever had! SRB helped me learn about usb-optical adapters, and then in my own research I stumbled upon one that cost a little more, but that sounded great! So I run iTunes via that adapter, into my outboard DAC, and then into my preamp. The sound is phenomenal! 

Pierre at Mapleshade Records then reminded me to unplug the laptop and run it off the battery when listening to music, especially when listening critically. His other suggestion was to have an older laptop wiped clean, reinstall the bare bones software, and then use it solely as a music server. I ended up getting a new Dell as an early Christmas present (otherwise I was prob going to buy myself my first Mac), so once that gets here I'm going to transfer my iTunes library over, and then get the laptop I'm using currently freshly wiped and prepared for music server duty.

If not for you guys, I would have been spending probably $1k on a Sonos system or something. Not to say anything bad about Sonos, cause I've heard it's a great wireless option. But I'll take FREE any day of the week and twice on Sunday