Streaming from PC t...
 

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[Closed] Streaming from PC to stereo - Airport Express / Sqeezebox what do I need to know

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Looking to play music from Laptop through my hifi speakers. I have a wireless network, Airport Express looks ust the job. Anything else I shoild know or alternatives.

Thanks for any help


 
Posted : 14/02/2010 5:33 pm
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I'm using Airport here, and it's really good, the range is pretty good too, i live in an old Victorian house so the walls are pretty well built, but i can still roam around downstairs and it works just fine.
I have it set up next to my stereo, it has a 3.5mm headphone jack on it which i have plugged into the stereo with a 3.5mm to phono lead. The sound quality is as good as it gets with MP3, there is a very slight delay in operation i.e skipping track etc.
I have it set up along side my usual wireless router, it took about 5 minutes to set it up, really simple.

One thing to point out though is it will only play music wirelessly using iTunes, you can buy a piece of software called Airtunes which will allow you to use other sources.

All in all a good bit of kit for 60 odd quid 🙂


 
Posted : 14/02/2010 6:21 pm
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Thanks gustard good info


 
Posted : 14/02/2010 6:52 pm
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[url= http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=104993 ]This[/url] might be a budget option. My brother in law has an identical looking one badged up by Lindy which works well. It's possible that your wireless network may interfere with it if it's running at the same time however.


 
Posted : 14/02/2010 8:31 pm
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How fussy are you about sound quality?

Cheap options - as above, or a 2nd hand Squeezebox 3 or duet (nice to use), one of the various alternatives (but I've only got experience of s/boxes)
Medium expensive option - Squeezebox into an external DAC
Expensive - Logitech Transporter (2nd hand = £850ish) on its own or into an even better external DAC

Wireless use can be tricky - depends on the number of competing wireless networks in the area.

Great bits of kit though. I've got a SB3, Duet and Transporter.

smurf


 
Posted : 15/02/2010 6:17 pm
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Oh, and for decent sound quality you should be looking for tracks ripped at 320kbps as a minimum. Try different rates though - you might not notice sufficient difference to warrant the extra storage space

Windows Media Player is a popular way of ripping and Exact Audio Copy is a harder to use but more powerful option.

Squeebox stuff is nice as the software is open source and you can use it to play things like BBC stations, internet radio and there are loads of other plug ins

smurf


 
Posted : 15/02/2010 8:18 pm
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+1 for squeezbox kit. Two radios and a duet, remote contol and iphone remote control app.....


 
Posted : 16/02/2010 1:12 am

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