Play music from laptop over WiFi to existing audio system: how?


I want to play music from my laptop to my existing stereo system over WiFi instead of a USB cable. I find plenty of systems designed to stream music from the Internet but I'm not interested in that. I want to play the music from my laptop. I also find plenty of USB DAC's but I don't want to have a USB cable. I also don't favor Bluetooth because WiFi offers my bandwidth and options.
I looked at the Yamaha MusicCast WXC-50 and while I see that it can access files over the network using NFS (my preferred network file share protocol), it appears that in this case the laptop act as be a passive storage device. I am hoping instead to use the music player on my laptop to send music to my DAC/preamp as if it were connected by USB cable. But, of course, I want to do this wirelessly.
Is there a solution similar to what I am looking for?
lowoverdrive

Showing 4 responses by mapman

It is wild that one can do this correctly and cost effectively so many ways using the right software on the right general purpose computing devices or buy expensive dedicated devices designed just for streaming that can cost so much more. I’ve found just use the right DAC that sounds good to you and good quality streaming software and you are in business with very high sound quality these days. Son much easier and cheaper than getting a good quality phono setup and keeping it that way. All my records and tape go straight to my music server when played these days and then they then get the nice retirement that they well deserve.
Audio engine maybe others sell wireless dac. Easy solution is put plex app on a tablet or similar device with WiFi near hifi and connect that to hifi. Then use a separate phone with plex app also as a WiFi remote controller. You have to connect something physically to the hifi unless it has built in streaming.
Check their web site. I believe it is available on linux.

You have to run plex server to host a library. Plex app or plex.tv in browser accesses Plex. With any home computer you can run both on same linux host and do usb digital or analog out from there. Or you can run plex app on any supported device and connect that to the server.
Save money. Use existing smart phones or tablets (don't buy custom streaming devices) and Install plex server on laptop (free). and create a library. Install plex app on a separate phone laptop or tablet (~$5 each). Connect digital out to dac and dac to pre-amp. Or use analog y connector from headphone jack to hifi/preamp input to use dac in phone or tablet. Cast from plex on laptop to device connected to hifi. Play music and enjoy. If you have another phone or tablet install plex app there too and use that as a remote controller to the device running plex that is connected to hifi.