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Need suggestions for streaming files to my stereo

Hello everyone. I'm looking for a way to stream files (AAC, ALAC, FLAC) to my home stereo. The files are on my PC laptop, or on iTunes on my iPhone etc. I pretty much exhausted my budget on my power amp and speakers so Im looking for the best budget pieces I can afford to get the music flowing for now. I currently have Kef ks50s, a Red Dragon S500, a SMSL Sanskrit, and a Google Chromecast Audio.   I'll likely pick up a Schiit SYS preamp. 

With this current setup I can only pretty much stream Pamdora, since Itunes won't work with the CCA.   It's looking like the lowest cost option available is to use different software to handle the music files such as JRiver, or PowerDVD Ultra, but I'm unsure if this is the best way?  Any other ideas, software, hardware etc?  I have an insanely low budget of around $200 left to buy the rest, let's see what you guys can think of. 
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pratorious
124 posts
 
Utilize Apple airplay with Apple Airport Express $99 (connect to preamp) and Apple Remote app free (iPhone).

Control your cumputers iTunes from iPhone with app and select your airplay speaker(s), in this case your airport express. (Your iPhone can also independently select this an airplay source for streaming if you wish.)

Then later add another wifi speaker with airplay or another airport express with an integrated amp/speakers in other rooms and control it all with your iPhone Remote app.

Works for me.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
or refurb store Apple TV3 (not 4) - $40 with warranty
gdnrbob
4,408 posts
 
+2 for Bluesound.
B
erik_squires
15,643 posts
 
One reason not to use Bluesound: Seems to be single band WiFI.

If you can use ethernet, no problem. But most apartment dwellers are saturated with WIfi signals in the 2.4GHz band. 5GHz is far more reliable. Wired Ethernet even more so.

Best,

E
williewonka
3,064 posts
 
@erik_squires - re:

One reason not to use Bluesound: Seems to be single band WiFI.

But most apartment dwellers are saturated with WIfi signals in the 2.4GHz band. 5GHz is far more reliable. Wired Ethernet even more so.
That issue applies to all streaming devices - not just Bluesound - correct?

Or is it Bluesound’s higher res capability that creates problems more than others when using wireless?

I know I have issues playing 24/192 wirelessly, but 24/96 is fine - then again,  I have an old wireless router

Cheers
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