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General discussion

Piping Computer Audio to Audio Receiver (How do I do it?)

Jan 20, 2005 11:58AM PST

I use my computer as my main music source - I've copied most of my cd's to it and also have a lot downloads from iTunes etc. I'd like to be able to run a line from my computer to a receiver and then use the receiver to pipe the music to other rooms in my house. So my questions are:

(1) What type of input does a receiver need to have in order for me to be able to run a line from the computer to the receiver and play my downloaded music through the receiver? (I have a Dell, and the line from the desktop speakers and subwoofer to the computer looks very much like a simple headset wire and the out on the computer looks like a simple heaset jack. Of course, I'm sure it's more complicated than that.)

(2) Once I get the computer hooked up to the receiver, can I just start the music player on the compuer and then turn the receiver to the right input? Do I need a digital receiver in between the computer and the receiver?

(3) Is there a better way to do this?

Any tips / hardware suggestions on making this work would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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receiver connection
Jan 21, 2005 12:57AM PST

At work, I use the headphone out of my notebook to an old Pioneer receiver Aux in (you can use any input but Phono). All you need is a cable that has a 1/8" mini phono at one end and left/right male RCA connectors at the other end (same cable that you would use to hook up a discman to a receiver). If your soundcard has a Line Out jack, then even better, as you won't have to deal with adjusting the volume of your soundcard and your receiver.

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Perfect advice from bent, one recommendation
Jan 21, 2005 5:15AM PST

I use this same adapter (or configuration) for my system, and so do friends of mine. The only drawback is, sometimes over distance you can get interference that will cause your speakers on your stereo to "buzz". This can easily be cured. Radio Shack carries an inline filter that will remove "noise". It works great, only about $15.

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(NT) (NT) Thanks for the info.
Jan 21, 2005 11:41PM PST
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Yeah but...
Jan 22, 2005 10:59AM PST

what if you want to control your music from another room. I would suggest a slightly more high tech but more satisfying solution. How about streaming audio device like Slim Devices Wireless Squeezbox
http://reviews.cnet.com/Slim_Devices_Squeezebox_wireless/4505-6739_7-30600812.html

or the Creative Sound Blaster Wireless Music?

Of course the single wire is more cost effective but you should consider unharnessing the power of your computer. When first wanted to do this these devices weren't available. Oh yeah, you could use an FM transmittter like the Belkin iPOD Tunecast II FM Transmitter Digital w/DC Jack $30 at BUY.com and cut the wire out completely.

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Thanks again . . .
Jan 24, 2005 10:03AM PST

I thought that's what the streaming audio devices were for, but I was not sure if they were a major improvement over simply lining the computer out to the receiver. Thanks, I think I might check one of those out.