Trying to play my LPs over my WiFi - I missing something

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FrankW

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Joined 2004
#1
Trying to play my LPs over my WiFi - I'm missing something

Hi, Gang,

Every search I do returns playing WiFi over my system, that's the mirror image of what I want to do.
I'd like to play my LPs (and RtR ) over my Wifi network. I'm not wild about BlueTooth, btw. I'd rather convert my analogue to something that can act as a source over my network. Can this be done, and if so, what hardware do I need?

Thanks,
Frank
 
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#2
 
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#3
Hi, Drone7,

Thank you for the links. We are an iOS house, I should have said that up front.
If I understand correctly, Chromecast feeds a stereo with content, but doesn't accept line-level (RCA) input to broadcast it over the home network. If I'm mistaken, please say so.

Hi, Gang,

Does anyone make a box that takes line out from my preamp and broadcasts a WiFi signal? Maybe a more important question is: If they do make a box, is it using a protocol that keeps you within a brand like Sonos does. I'm aware there are a few Sonos compatible speakers, but my goal is not to be locked into a brand.

Thanks,
Frank
 
#5
FrankW said:
Hi, Gang,

...
I'd rather convert my analogue to something that can act as a source over my network. Can this be done, and if so, what hardware do I need?

...
Click to expand...

Yes, you can always convert your LP's and tapes to digital format....
Depends on gear you have there already but, some sort of digital recorder or sound card with stereo analog input and recording software to record and save audio files to some storage (USB stick, memory card, hard drive etc.). Web is full of guides to read before starting audio digitalization (an example: Beginnner's Guide To Recording Vinyl Into Your Computer – TurntableLab.com )
 
#7
I am looking for something similar. A way to make an analog audio stream available over my home network. Surprised there are not any DIY projects out there that let you do this with internet radio being so common.
 
#12
I’m guessing I must have left out information in my original request, so here is some more background and hopefully a bit of clarification.

Can I make files of my media? Yes, for over 15 years I’ve been using semi-pro recorders making Red Book compliant files, knowing that eventually I won’t have a dedicated room for stereo and will have to be server based. Currently I‘m using a Tascam CD-RW900MKII and it’s good enough. But digitizing media is not what I’m asking about here.

I want to have a box that takes line out from my preamp and can connect to my mesh system, via either WiFi or Ethernet. I’m OK with a 3.5mm to RCA splitter, but my expectation is that it would have RCA inputs, being a step up from under $100 boxes. A phone app isn’t required, but handy. I have a bias against Bluetooth for audio. To me, BT is a cable replacement for mice and keyboards and good enough for noise canceling headphones, but it’s not really an audio solution.

Squeezbox is nice, but it’s discontinued and right now I’m looking for something more plug ‘n play. I’m OK with raspberry pi programming, but not for this. Yet.

So thank you to everyone who has chimed in, and I’m curious what’s out there.
 
#13
The squeezebox ecosystem lives on, even with nightly updates to the server software. Everything can be done with Raspberry Pi’s.
Definitely not plug ‘n play, but lots of support.
With locally stored music and Spotify integration, there is nothing else that works this well for my whole-house audio setup. Old and new equipment, synchronization, mobile device control and playback...it does it all well enough that I have been reluctant to change it for 18 years. 😀
 
#16
In the meantime I found a couple of solutions that might work fro FrankW. These don't use your own WiFi but use some other wireless channel(s) to operate.

The company "Amphony" used to sell a model L1500 that includes TX and RX units. The TX unit has stereo analog line level inputs and the RX unit has stereo analog line level outputs. In between I assume it digitizes the signal, sends it via wireless transmission, then converts is back to analog and outputs it. I have a couple of these that I used initially when I was looking into wireless audio streaming. They work well, and there is no need to involve a computer. I think they offer much of the same thing these days, but the L1500 is no longer sold and it is nearly impossible to figure out which product to purchase from their horrible web site.

Outlaw Audio offers a wireless audio system, the OAW4 for $129. It works much like the Amphony system I described above. You can purchase it here:
OAW4 Wireless Audio System

There are probably other system like this, if you poke around on Google.
 
#17
takes line out from my preamp and can connect to my mesh system
Click to expand...
Yamaha has a musiccast solution
Click to expand...

That rules out wireless transmitters / receivers (mic / bodypack, AV transmitters etc)
These are also ruled out, because they aren't compatible with each other unless he uses a translator hub device to connect them.
Comparison of audio network protocols - Wikipedia

He wants a streamer that streams Multicast to his network and he can pick up the audio signal on the phone / computer or even a stand alone box.

Something like this used in broadcasting perhaps:

Instreamer - Barix

Riedel also comes to me in mind.
They organize live TV events networked between countries. Eurovision / Soccer etc.
It's all a matter of $$$€€€£££

I would go for the PI route: Volumio / Moode / Roon / Squeezeplay etc
My RPI4 8Gb Picoreplayer is alive and updated every couple of weeks.
 
#18
That Outlaw system is interesting and could be just right for the OP’s needs. I wonder what ADC/DAC devices they use. 2.4G network space could be crowded.

Similarly, Dayton Audio offers an inexpensive WiFi streaming solution, but I don’t know how well multiple units will sync together (another plus for Squeezebox/piCorePlayer, etc. 😀 ). Again, ADC/DAC hardware will not be the last word in fidelity, but it may be good enough.

Dayton Audio WBA28 Wi-Fi Bluetooth Multi-Room Streamer with IR Remote and App Control

Dayton or Outlaw, I would make sure one could return the equipment if it didn’t work out.
 
#19
I don't think that any of these "multiroom" or multi-endpoint wireless audio senders can synchronize the endpoints very well. At least they never claim that, and do not provide any kind of specification related to synchronicity. It's not important that endpoints are tightly synchronized if they are in distict and different rooms, it's another thing if they are for the right and left speakers. Then you need better than about 500usec synchroncity, and that is not so easy to acheive. I don't know the particular hardware that any of these use, so I can't say for sure but I remain highly skeptical.

OTOH, for streaming stereo from point A to point B, these are pretty good and are certainly better than the sound quality of the vinyl source itself.
 
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