[va3uxb]

Hello there,

I have just ripped my entire CD collection into iTunes, because I love the playlists and never listen to an entire CD anyways, usually only liking a few tracks here and there.

My iMac (400MHz, slot-loading, 10.3.3, iTunes 4.5) will be in the same room as the stereo equipment, but on the opposite wall.

I'm not sure what the best way is to get the line-out from the iMac over to the audio-input on the stereo. If I just use wire, it'd be at least 20 or 30 feet long, due to the shape and layout of the room, having to go all around the edges and all. I don't know about audio but I do know about RF interference and line noise and loss, and this seems to me like a Bad Idea.

I've seen ads for various items of equipment that interact with iTunes, either wirelessly or through ethernet, but I'm not sure I want to invest a lot of money. I've also seen the wireless headphone sets, and something like that would be more ideal I think if it could feed into the stereo instead of just a headphone.

I'm fine controlling the program directly on the iMac, so my main concern is a way to get the audio across the room to the stereo equipment, not having some fancy interactive control or anything at the stereo.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

-Stephanie

[nate_02]

If you have a radio shack by you, you could try their cheap wireless video transmitters. I'm not sure if they do audio, but if they do, its worth a try, and you can always return it if it doesn't work.

Another thought is if you wanna spend a good bit of money, you could buy a cheap wireless microphone system for guitars and get the adapters to go to the mini jack on your imac. this would probably be the best wireless solution but it would not be stereo, only mono unless you got two systems.

[Freeflyer]

If you're only needing to get the signal across the room, the best quality and cheapest option is to take the headphone out signal and run a cable to your hifi amplifier. 30-40' shouldn't be too big a problem.

Given that it should only cost you $10-15 for the cables to try this, I would give it a shot first. If interference is a problem, you could use coaxial cable as this is shielded and may reduce any interference that you get, but then again, you may not get any.

I've run cable lengths that long before, and not had a problem, just try not to run them too close to any mains cables as the primary interference is likely to be 60hz mains hum.

None of the transmitters will give you a better audio quality, and will all be significantly more expensive. Try the cable first.

J.

[f1000]

As Freeflyer said, you probably won’t hear significant RF noise from a 20-30 foot long shielded-cable run. Since such cables are relatively cheap, try one first before resorting to a more expensive option. Also, consider drilling holes through the baseboard/floor and running the cables underneath the room in order to keep cable runs as short as possible.

To maximize S/N ratio, turn up the volume on your iMac and use an attenuator* if necessary at the line-in jack of your stereo.

Wireless systems, unless they’re digital, also pick up noise.

[wulf]

If the quality loss from compressing the audio isn't going to worry you, then I doubt the cable length will make any noticeable difference. Pay a bit more for shielded cable, if you're really worried about interference.

[slimjim]

I had the exact same situation. I chose an external USB soundcard from M Audio called Transit
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=...9f07cb11070055
Then I have a 50 optical cable from the sound card to my yamaha reciever. the sound card was $60 or so and$35 for tha cable. I am 100% happy with this configuration. Sounds great, easy setup, no probs. I highly recommend it. The card also has an optical in and analog out.

[va3uxb]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions!

I'm going to try the cable option first as Freeflyer suggested, since the cost is negligible for the test.

-Stephanie