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How can I use WIFI to run my pc into my receiver?

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xodus

New Member
Hi everyone.
I was wondering if there is any type of way to run my pc via WIFI to play music from my laptop through my ONKYO receiver.
I have an ONKYO 4500 MKII.

Im hoping there is something very affordable.
 
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i'm currently using something called a soundmate m1. it's kinda wonky...i can play music to it from some devices, but not all of them work...most notably my windows 10 machines.
 
Get a standalone DAC and go from USB out of PC to RCA in to AUX on receiver. They range in price from under $100 to ridiculous.
 
If you want to use wifi you have a couple of options. For cross platform use I'd recommend the SONOS Connect. If you're using Apple products I'd recommend either the Apple TV or AirPort Express.
 
If you want WIFI connection and can handle a bit of DIY, then look into the Raspberry-Pi based music players.
The Raspberry-pi is a very cheap single board computer that can accept a WIFI adapter. The hardware cost is probably less than $80 depending on what you get. You install on the Raspberry-pi a music player program (Squeezelite is one, there are several options) and then stream music to it from your laptop. Again, there are several options for the laptop software to do the streaming (called a music server). Logitech Media Server (LMS) is a very good choice and is free. You can then control your music selection and playlists from the laptop, or you can even add an app to a smart phone to control the player. iPeng is one I use on an iPhone, but there are some for android phones too. All in all a pretty slick system for very few dollars, but you will have to be willing to DIY some of it.
There are many tutorials on the web and some places even sell the software already installed on a SD card ready to plug into the Raspberry-pi. I have never personally done this, although I am currently using a very similar (though slightly more expensive) Wandboard that is the same concept.
There are several good discussion on the Raspberry-Pi based music players on the Digital Sources forum on AudioKarma.

Terry
 
Buy an Airport Express - $65 (http://www.amazon.com/Apple-AirPort...id=1439482009&sr=1-2&keywords=airport+express)

Buy Airfoil for your PC $29 (https://www.rogueamoeba.com/airfoil/windows/ )

NOTE: You may not need Airfoil if you only want iTunes audio (which has Airplay built in) or if you have a somewhat recent Mac.

This will allow you to send any audio from your PC in lossless bitrates (up to 16/44.1) to the Airport Express. The Airport Express works with analog and optical digital.

You can buy a Bluetooth receiver as mentioned above if your PC is compatible, but there may be a trade off with audio quality.
 
I think the OP wanted something much more straightforward.

Wifi link (from the router to the laptop?) and a straight RCA jack and cable from the laptop to the receiver. Right?

If I understand the request correctly, the OP would like to use internet access on the laptop to play back music from internet radio and streaming libraries like Spotify.

In that case, what is needed is a wifi access point (can be the router that links to the internet or a plain vanilla access point plugged in the ethernet) located within range of the laptop.
 
I use a Raspberry Pi as a wireless music player and I am very happy with it. The setup software is called NOOBS (New Out Of Box Software) and it lets you choose which OS you want and sets it up automatically for you. Depending on where you buy the RPi it may come pre-loaded with NOOBS. If not, it is free to download from the RPi site. All the software you will need is free BTW. I chose Raspian which is the recommended OS. You will need a USB Keyboard and/or mouse (wireless or wired) for the setup only.

Installing squeezelite is as easy as copying and pasting 5 or 6 lines of code. Most of the "hobby" part of the RPi has been programmed out of it especially for audio.

The audio out is a 3.5mm jack. So you will also need a 3.5mm to RCA male splitter to plug into your receiver. Most people opt for a USB DAC for better sound. They range from $25 to over a grand. There are DACs that sit on top of the RPi board which have received favorable reviews. This keeps the foot print very small. I have only used outboard DACs.
 
The only thing is that I'm lookin for it to be wireless in terms of my laptop. So that way my laptop can be in another room, and I can still hear Sirius or spotify out of my receiver
 
You could pick up a wi/fi capable tuner or radio and use it with your receiver. Check out Grace Digital.
 
I use a Bluetooth receiver with the normal RCA cables into my amp. Works great and you can use laptop, phone, PC, etc...Easy as it gets.
 
Check Amazon for "Logitech Bluetooth adapter". There are dozens of similar ones. Some HiFi, some with greater range, etc...I think there's a whole sub forum here on AK about them. But, the Logitech is cheap and has decent range.
 
OK, so for my "starter pack" into this wifi idea I ordered the following.
1. Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter
2. Kinivo BTD-400 Bluetooth 4.0 USB adapter - For Windows 8 / Windows 7 / Vista
(because I actually need to install bluetooth on my windows 7 laptop)
3. iMBAPrice® 3 feet 2RCA Male to 2RCA Male High Quality Home Theater Audio Cable (3 Feet, Black)

Hoping this does the trick. Again, not looking to do anything crazy. Just hoping I can listen to sirus radio from my laptop through WIFI into my home stereo.

I'll let everyone know how it works out.
THANKS FOR THE GUIDANCE!
I love this board!
 
I'm all Apple here, so it sounds like the tricky part is getting the Kinovo/Windows part up and running.
Should be good to go once that happens.
 
I wouldn't go Bluetooth. Not if you want to stream from another room. Same room, yes. Different room, a crapshoot. Wifi connection will allow you to have laptop anywhere in the house and be able to stream to your receiver, Bluetooth won't.
 
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