[roymail]

OK, this is how I do it now, pretty simple really.  HP laptop picks up wifi steaming Spotify>out through Geek 450 usb dac>Luxman preamp>to SS amp>speakers.  Sounds very good to my ears.

Problem, the HP laptop is my primary PC which I have to move to another room to use with printer, etc.  I'd like to keep it there and use something else to play Spotify in my audio room.

Question, since I do not stream music files from my laptop, is there an alternative to buying another laptop?  Don't really need a full function PC for any other purpose, but I'm not aware of another way to do what I'm doing now any other way.

If another laptop is the best option, can someone recommend an economical but reliable option?  Really don't need a full out music server.  Hope you get the picture.  If not, ask questions please.  Thanks for your help.

[JohnR]

You may be able to use a Raspberry Pi 2 with one of the RaspyFi derivatives: Volumio, Rune Audio, or Moode. I've seen Spotify in the options but not tried it. I believe you need a Spotify premium account for it to work. You could google for some of those keywords to see what turns up?

[srb]

Problem, the HP laptop is my primary PC which I have to move to another room to use with printer, etc

What is "etc"?  If it's just a (USB) printer, perhaps a wireless print server like Apple Airport Express?

Steve

[roymail]

Well, I already have a work station set up there in my TV, computer and overall hang out room.  Just very inconvenient to unplug, move, plug up and play music for awhile, then move it back and plug it all back up again.  Like I said, I would rather not have to buy another laptop just to play music on the internet.  However, I may do just that with the added advantage of having an extra PC in case the other goes south.

Just hoping there was another option.

[srb]

You could stream Spotify from your laptop using Rogue Amoeba's Airfoil for Windows ($29) to an Airport Express in the audio room.  (Still not giving up yet on the versatile Airport Express!). 

Steve

[roymail]

Steve, thanks for your advice.  I do have a 1st gen Apple Express that I'm not using at the moment.  Hadn't really thought about using it.  Wasn't sure if it was compatible with a Windows PC.  Take a look at this link, it's the third picture down.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AirPort_Express

It plugs into a wall outlet and has a usb port at the bottom.  If it works, could I plug the usb dac (Geekout 450) into it there then go out to the preamp?  Will the Airport Express pick up the wifi signal from my Netgear router?

I have to do some reading about the Rogue Amoeba for Windows.  Just not familiar with it.  If it works, I would surely give it a try.

[srb]

Airport Express works fine with Windows, just only natively with the iTunes application.  Adding the Airfoil program allows you to send audio to an Airplay device from any application (well, most any except for Windows Media Center).  You can download a trial for free to see if it works (the trial will overlay noise on the audio after ten minutes).

The USB port on the Airport Express is only for connecting a printer or hard drive *, you cannot output audio from it.  The only way to output audio from the Airport Express is either analog or digital optical from the combo 3.5mm analog/digital port (I missed that your DAC is USB only).

Since you already have the Airport Express and can download a free trial of Airfoil, I would try it and see what you think.  I have three AEs and use them to listen to Internet radio via the analog output.  Spotify Premium is only 320kbps, I think you may be pleased with the admittedly less than audiophile reference DA conversion.

* The USB port on the Airport Express can only be used to connect a USB printer; the USB port on the Airport Extreme can be used to connect either a USB printer or USB hard drive/storage.

Steve

[roymail]

Question, if the Airport Express sees the existing network, why not just plug into the audio output, then to the preamp?  Don't understand the need for additional software.

Other than an Iphone, I don't know much about Apple gear.

[roymail]

Is Airport Express considered an Airfoil device?

[srb]

Airport Express is an AirPlay device and only works with AirPlay-enabled applications.  iTunes is AirPlay-enabled so that's what I use to listen to Internet radio stations on a Windows computer.

So unless the Spotify Windows client software is AirPlay-enabled (and I don't believe it is), you will need to use additional third party Airfoil software to use it (and most other software, browsers, etc.) to communicate with AirPlay devices.

Steve

[roymail]

So do I need to do anything except plug the AE into the wall, plug the single stereo cable into the audio out on the bottom of the AE, and download the Airfoil software?  Hope this works.

[srb]

You will want to download the Airport Utility 5.6.1 for Windows to configure the Airport Express.

There is a wizard to guide you through it and you can use it to manually change settings.  Basically you will "Join a wireless network", enable AirPlay, name the AirPlay speaker, etc.  Pretty easy setup.

If you have iTunes installed you can test it out prior to installing Airfoil.  The Airport Express should show up on the iTunes speaker dropdown.

Steve

[roymail]

There is a wizard to guide you through it and you can use it to manually change settings.  Basically you will "Join a wireless network", enable AirPlay, name the AirPlay speaker, etc.

I downloaded the Airport Utility for Windows from your link.  However, I didn't see a prompt to "joint a wireless network", enable Airplay, name Airplay.

I opened iTunes but didn't see anything remarkable.

So what now?

[srb]

Do you see the Airport Express in the left hand pane of the Airport Utility?

Steve

[ttan98]

Hi,

I use a 8" tablet(*) running windows 8.1 and JRiver, this latter you buy it 2nd hand or refurbished, the results the combo works quite you get all the features from windows, including streaming, Wifi, etc.
I also run Fidelizer 6 in the background to keep the windows resources to a minimum and maximise the audio processes.

The results the sound is quite good. The cost is minimal also the tablet runs on battery while playing music and get charges while not playing music.

* I use Lenovo Miix II or you can use Dell 8" tablet.

[jarcher]

If spotify is going to be the highest quality audio you're going to stream, I'd get a Bluetooth dac and just stream from any smartphone or tablet (or even Bluetooth enabled laptop). The smartphones and tablets have the best full featured spotify apps. The arcam miniblink @ $150 is surprisingly good. And now you can get it from crutchfield for $100.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_776MINBLNK/Arcam-miniBlink.html?tp=59427&awkw=82786702345&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=52587879505&awdv=t

Better still others in the family including guests can get in on the fun and connect easily to the home stereo.

If you were going to stream cd or better quality I'd recommend something else. But for just spotify at MP3 quality, the arcam miniblink is more than good enough and the easiest cheapest solution. And it's small enough to take on the road as well. Hope that helps!

[roymail]

Thanks to all for your replies to my thread, advice and helpful information.

A big THANK YOU! to Steve (srb) for taking the time to help me configure and setup my Airport Express so I'm now able to stream Spotify and iTunes from my laptop workstation in the den to my audio setup in the front living area in our home.  I could not have done it without his help!  So thanks again, Steve 

And, it sounds great! 

[JohnR]

Cool