Streaming from laptop to DAC

[lennybrisco]

Hi,
 
Hoping for some direction on how to do this...
 
I have a laptop with an optical out that I have hooked to a DAC via that optical line. Running jriver and controlling with the jremote app.
 
This works very well but I hate to have the laptop that close to the DAC and tethered to it via the optical line. I'd rather have a 'clean' set-up without the cable running out into the room attached to the laptop. (often using speakers so I am sitting way back from the DAC) 
 
How can I simply stream the digital signal over wifi to a component that will then use a digital output to hook into the DAC? I really want to also keep the jriver player and jremote app and not go to a full proprietary streamer and it's own app. Drives me crazy that I have not found a simple way to do this so far.
 
Looking for:
laptop > via wi-fi > new component > via optical /coax > DAC > via RCA > preamp
 
Thanks if you can help. I've researched for hours and have found no quality options out there. 
 
-LB

 

[Ari33]

This thread may help? The Apple Airport Express mentioned in post #16 sounds like it might be the closest (possible??)
solution for what you are looking to do. To date it is is limited to 16/44.1, whether thats a biggie or not is up to you...
 
 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/653811/wireless-adapter-for-usb-dacs
 
 
 
 

                                                                        ^

                                                                Analog/Optical​

​

                                                                  Audio Jack​

 
"Use a Mini TOSLINK cable to connect directly to the optical SPDIF digital inputs of a DAC or stereo receiver. The AirPort Express has its own great DAC, but if you prefer to use another, no problem."
 
...
 
"As I suspected, the TOSLINK output is perfect; any audible limitation here is the AirPort's DAC and your source material. As far as I can tell short of comparing bit-for-bit, the optical digital output is a perfect copy of the original, the whole point of digital audio."
 
Source-  http://www.kenrockwell.com/apple/airport-express-audio-quality-2014.htm

 

[lennybrisco]

Thank-you! I didn't think that the airport express would play well with my existing router but after new research it appears that it probably will. If this works it will be perfect! I'll have one delivered this week.

Appreciated!

-LB

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  Hi,
 
Hoping for some direction on how to do this...
 
I have a laptop with an optical out that I have hooked to a DAC via that optical line. Running jriver and controlling with the jremote app.
 
This works very well but I hate to have the laptop that close to the DAC and tethered to it via the optical line. I'd rather have a 'clean' set-up without the cable running out into the room attached to the laptop. (often using speakers so I am sitting way back from the DAC) 
 
How can I simply stream the digital signal over wifi to a component that will then use a digital output to hook into the DAC? I really want to also keep the jriver player and jremote app and not go to a full proprietary streamer and it's own app. Drives me crazy that I have not found a simple way to do this so far.
 
Looking for:
laptop > via wi-fi > new component > via optical /coax > DAC > via RCA > preamp
 
Thanks if you can help. I've researched for hours and have found no quality options out there. 
 
-LB

 
If the reason why you don't want the laptop close to the DAC is because you're getting tied to sitting there or walking up to it when switching albums/tracks, then just try and see if there's some kind of a remote app that can control your MacBook or JRiver. I have MonkeyMote on my iPad2 and SGS3 that can control MediaMonkey on my laptop - when we have parties at my friend's house I hook up the laptop and D-Zero to his KRK Rokit 6 that he hauls out of his office, then I use my SGS3 to control it.

 

[RonaldDumsfeld]

For the ultimate in convenience and elegance why not rationalise your set up and go direct from your source (laptop, tablet, or phone) to your pre-amp/interface via Bluetooth wireless.
 
It need not cost you much to try. This is a good receiver but there is loads of competition.
 
http://www.aptx.com/product/qed-uplay-bluetoothr-receiver
 
The quality is limited by the weakest link in the chain. So look for BT 4 and Apt-x on both ends.
 
BT used to be regarded as rubbish but I think you will be surprised at the quality nowadays. I certainly was. Even those $20 generic widgets off ebay give a quality indistinguishable from mow.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Mini-Bluetooth-Music-Receiver-A2DP-Wireless-HiFi-3-5mm-Stereo-Audio-Adapter-/201070523656

 

[kramer5150]

  For the ultimate in convenience and elegance why not rationalise your set up and go direct from your source (laptop, tablet, or phone) to your pre-amp/interface via Bluetooth wireless.
 
It need not cost you much to try. This is a good receiver but there is loads of competition.
 
http://www.aptx.com/product/qed-uplay-bluetoothr-receiver
 
The quality is limited by the weakest link in the chain. So look for BT 4 and Apt-x on both ends.
 
BT used to be regarded as rubbish but I think you will be surprised at the quality nowadays. I certainly was. Even those $20 generic widgets off ebay give a quality indistinguishable from mow.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Mini-Bluetooth-Music-Receiver-A2DP-Wireless-HiFi-3-5mm-Stereo-Audio-Adapter-/201070523656

APT-X is not lossless though.  Technically speaking it does have some compression going on.  Whether or not its enough to make a difference in ones enjoyment is an individual matter.

 

[RonaldDumsfeld]

MP3 and AAC @ 258 VBR aren't lossless either.
 
Most people nowadays accept they cannot hear a difference between high bitrate lossy and CD quality 44/16 on normal program material.
 
It's the same story with current BT. It's not 'CD quality' because it is lossy.
 
But can you hear the difference? And if you think you can is it worth the hassle?

 

[lennybrisco]

Thanks, everyone!

I am using jremote so I have the ability to sit back and control from my iPad. I was just looking for a way to get rid of the optical cord sticking out into the room and having to set the laptop down in front of the components. WAF and convenience, really.

I was hoping for a way to do this with ability for high bitrate but it seems like almost everything is limited to around cd quality or forces you into their media control software. I may try an Airport Express as a cheap option to get by until I find an option worth investing more in. I am quite surprised in the lack of flexible options in this space.

Thanks again!

-Lee

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I am using jremote so I have the ability to sit back and control from my iPad. I was just looking for a way to get rid of the optical cord sticking out into the room and having to set the laptop down in front of the components. WAF and convenience, really.

I was hoping for a way to do this with ability for high bitrate but it seems like almost everything is limited to around cd quality or forces you into their media control software. I may try an Airport Express as a cheap option to get by until I find an option worth investing more in. I am quite surprised in the lack of flexible options in this space.

 
There are wireless DACs from NAD and NuForce that use a USB wireless dongle to stream digital audio to the receiver on the DAC, problem though is that AFAIK they only do 16/44.1.