Neutron :: Bomb

by John Calian |
Topics: Apple TV | iMac | iPhone | SONOS | Squeezebox | Streaming Music

After weeks of contemplating how to rig the best system for listening to my giant library of MP3 files through the home stereo, I have come to the conclusion that all I need to buy is one cable, a mini-tosLINK to tosLINK cable. Cost: $15 + tax.

Up until recently, we had an iMac G5 plugged into an old-ass bookshelf stereo, running two 20 year old Bose speakers. And it was in our kitchen. Worked fine, but not ideal. The MP3 files are stored on a ReadyNAS NV+, which is on our home network. Both the iMac and NAS are on ethernet for throughput stability.

I had decided I wanted to run the music thru to our very nice home stereo, and started the research process. I have followed along this trail of gadgets for years, and came to the conclusion that I needed one of the following systems to make it all work:

1. SONOS - $349 for the basic device, and I could use my iPhone as the remote
2. Squeezebox - $149 for the basic device, and I could use my iPhone as the remote
3. Apple TV - $229, and I could use my iPhone as the remote

I already had:

1. ReadyNAS NV+ (1.5TB of space, holding 200gb+ of MP3s)
2. Netgear Router
3. Ethernet infrastructure
4. Airport Express
5. Nice home stereo system
6. iMac G5 (running the iTunes library)
7. iPhone

All the devices listed above would accomplish the same thing: stream my MP3 collection thru my home stereo.

Here are the few pluses/minuses of each:

1. SONOS - Do not need iTunes or other software running; great sound quality. But, expensive
2. Squeezebox - Prolly don't need server software running on a PC, b/c ReadyNAS has a streaming server bult in; cost is low, sound quality good
3. Apple TV - Need iTunes running on a machine on the network; cost is not too bad, sound quality is the worst of the three, with limited output.

Yes, that is a quick and dirty roundup. But after much thought, I realized I had all I needed to make it happen at almost no cost, explained by this diagram:


I didnt need to spend much at all to accomplish what I needed. The iPhone is a great remote control, as it can be used to control your iTunes library using an App called 'Remote' (built by Apple). It has a touchscreen, album art, and is very easy to use. And anyone in our house with an iPhone or iTouch can control the music library.

I simply needed to connect my existing AirportExpress to the stereo, using the mini-tosLink to tosLink cable I bought for $15 bucks. The AirportExpress was already right next to the stereo, wa-la. Sound is more than acceptable.

Bottom line: I didnt need another 2-300 dollar gadget in the house, and I dont care if I have the greatest sounding system, this one does the trick.