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Computer audio help

post #1 of 16
1/17/11 at 7:58am
Thread Starter 

Hello all,

 

I've got questions...I'm trying to figure out the cheapest/best quality way for this to happen...here is what I have:

 

Man cave HTPC with all my music in the basement

Bedroom night time listening Maverick Tube magic D to A/headphone amp

Apple Ipad

wireless network

 

So my questions is: How can I access my music from my computer downstairs to my D to A headphone amp up in my bedroom. The Maverick has a usb input along with digital co-ax & toslink

 

I'm sure this has been asked so I apologize for not searching...I'm at work right now and don't have as much time as I'd like..

 

Thanks for any help

 

Mike

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post #2 of 16
1/17/11 at 8:09am

Is the HTPC running iTunes? If so, the easiest thing will be to buy an Airport Express (which has optical output) for your bedroom, and remotely control iTunes on the HTPC using your iPad.

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post #3 of 16
1/17/11 at 9:40am
Thread Starter 

Sweet, I am running I tunes down on my HTPC...I'll have to look into the Airport Express..

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post #4 of 16
1/17/11 at 9:50am
Thread Starter 

Question, Do I need to have the Airport Express "wired" to my network? My current modem/router is in the basement also..or do I keep my current router and just plug the Airport into an outlet in my bedroom? 

Sorry  for all the Noob questions...

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post #5 of 16
1/17/11 at 10:29am

The Airport Express is a wireless router, so just put it in your bedroom and set it up to connect to your existing network. The setup software is very easy to use. Plug it in to your Maverick and you should be ready to go

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post #6 of 16
1/17/11 at 10:36am
Thread Starter 

Great! I'll give it a shot...sounds like a winner.

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post #7 of 16
1/18/11 at 3:02pm
Thread Starter 
Well, I've run into a problem. My music library is on a desktop that is "wired" to my network...it has no wireless built in. But that is the computer I need to have the airport access. So now what do I do?
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post #8 of 16
1/18/11 at 3:21pm

Uhm... same network, should be fine.

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post #9 of 16
1/18/11 at 4:09pm
Thread Starter 

Well it would be fine if the Airport "saw" my network...so as of right now:

I installed the Airport software on my basement HTPC, which is wired to my network (which is not an Apple product) the Airport Utility scanned and did not find my wireless network...it's not giving me an option.

So then I thought maybe I needed to install the software on a laptop running on my wireless network...same thing...

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post #10 of 16
1/18/11 at 5:00pm
Thread Starter 

I'm getting a blinking Amber light...none of of my computers are seeing the Airport. I've tried the reset button on the bottom but that did nothing.  I just keep seeing how simple it is to set up and I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. I'll pack it up and take it in tomorrow to see if I can get help or if it's a Defected unit.

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post #11 of 16
1/18/11 at 5:58pm

You'll need to connect to the airport to set it up either via ethernet cable or wireless. After you reset it, you should see some generic 'apple wireless xxxxx" in your networks. Connect to that and then try the setup utility again. 

 

I find it easiest to just connect via ethernet, and then use the utility to setup the Airport to connect/extend your existing network. 

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post #12 of 16
1/18/11 at 6:24pm
Thread Starter 
I'll have to give hooking it up directly a try tomorrow...thanks
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post #13 of 16
1/19/11 at 9:52am

Have a spare laptop?

 

Simple wireless networking and output from laptop to the DAC/AMP

 

Done!

 

Personally I just run XBMC on my home theater PC and it serves all my audio & video to my HTPC in my bedroom and over the internet to my iPhone if I want to stream audio or video or TV.  :)

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post #14 of 16
1/19/11 at 10:45am

So I just went to update my own Airport Express last night and ran into a minor problem while trying to connect to it. I reset the airport using the little reset button and then tried connecting to the network. Even though the Airport would then show up in the utility, it wouldn't connect because my firewall was blocking it. Make sure you check your firewall after you connect to the airport to ensure it's not blocking from you changing the settings. 

 

Also I don't think you need to do it via ethernet..not sure what I was thinking lol. Just connect to the wireless network that the airport creates and set it up from there. Let me know if you have any problems

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post #15 of 16
1/20/11 at 4:56am
Thread Starter 

So to update:

The Airport Express I had bought two days ago was an open box unit from BB...after speaking to a few people I figured out that BB did not do a "hard reset" on the unit...so it was password protected...I just boxed it up and took it back where they exchanged it for a new unit...very good of them..

 

So now armed with a new unit I set out to try install # 2...still was having problems with my computer/apple utility recognizing the Airport Express.  I called Apple Tech support and after an hour on the phone with a very helpful person we were able to figure out that I was configuring it wrong on my network..something with the encryption...I'm not computer savvy so I can't be more specific.

 

I've got it hooked up through it's Analog out right now, I'm waiting for my Mini-to Toslink cable to arrive...is there a setting I need to adjust when I hook up the toslink...or will it just "know"

 

Thanks for all the help.

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