$1000 best reciever help please

[Orderless]

Hi all.

I am new on these boards and am anxious for some feedback from you guys who know plenty more about this stuff than I do.

I am looking to purchase a new home theater reciever new or used for a grand. One feature I have read very little about but has me very excited is being able to connect my pc wirelessly to my reciever so I can play mp3s or stream music from yahoo through my main system.

I am not sure having that built into the reciever is the best option, what receivers offer that (only onkyo that I have seen) or if there is another component that attaches to any reciever that is better?

I want this feature and am confused as far as what direction to go in. There is a overwhelming amout of choices out there.

thanks for your input!

 

[MDS]

Onkyo's NetTune series could stream mp3 but you had to use their server-side server (on your pc) and the interface on the receiver. It was slow and unreliable and they abandoned the feature on later models. Looks like Yamaha is now trying the same thing. Neither of those can do it wirelessly - you'd need an additional wireless bridge to make that happen.

You should buy the receiver that meets your needs for price, features, and useability and not set an arbitrary price point of $1,000. You can get A LOT of receiver for a whole let less than $1K.

But to answer your real question, the simplest, most reliable, and CHEAPEST way to stream mp3 wirelessly to your receiver is to spend $300 on a Squeezebox (http://www.slimdevices.com). You will of course then need a wireless router or at least have a wireless network card in your PC.

 

[Orderless]

Thanks for the input. One thing i am confused about is how that item you linked to allows you to surf all the songs? On a computer (laptop) I can have it open and search through everything, I dont see how that works on this.

Onkyo dropped that feature eh? damn.

Well now I am confused!

 

[MDS]

You install a server program on the machine that has the music. That program creates a database of all of your music and also contains various plug-ins to convert from one format to another if necessary. You can manage your collection using a web interface (just use your browser) directly on the machine or from any machine that has network access to the music server.

You can access any of the music using the remote control for the Squeezebox. It allows you to select any song or playlist you want at any time and the currently playing song information is displayed on the front panel.

The Squeezebox connects to your network over wired Ethernet or wireless and connects directly to your receiver using either digital or analog audio connections. As far as the receiver is concerned, it's just another source connected to it.

 

[Atokade]

I suggest you buy the receiver that best meets your needs without taking mp3/music streaming in to account. You can buy add-ons after that will most probably do a better job as separates than limiting yourself to a receiver that does all-in one.

The Squeezebox has been mentioned. Also take a look at the Roku Soundbridge. I have one connected with optical cable to my receiver. It connects wirelessly to the computers on our wireless network (wireless router needed) and accesses existing libraries. With iTunes, I've enabled it to share my music library, which is then accessed by the Roku Soundbridge and played through my receiver. To control what is being played there are two options. Either use the remote control supplied, or download and install software that will control the Roku from your computer, independantly of iTunes.

Take a look at the following breakdown of devices on cnet.com
http://reviews.cnet.com/4321-6739_7-6509002-1.html

Another new alternative is the Apple TV, which is coming out soon. For now people aren't quite sure what to expect until it is out.
http://www.apple.com/appletv/

So, to reiterate, choose the receiver that best matches your usage and pricepoint without taking in to account mp3 music streaming, and then add that later. That way you won't be limiting your search to 2-3 receivers but can consider many more that will more than adequately do the job for you.

 

[RLA]

Here Ya go,
Have more than a couple of beers with the money you saved, but don’t forget to call your doctor in the morning

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=451033&CTID=5000300

 

[MDS]

Come on now...Yamaha is now trying the same approach that Onkyo took years ago with their TX-NR801 and from the numerous threads here it seems they have the exact same problems that Onkyo had.

A simple external device like the Squeezebox solves all the problems and will work perfectly on the first try for a whole lot less money.