First: I am not a audio-head, so forgive my ignorance. here's what I (think) I know: XM on my Polk xm Audio receiver sounds compressed on my system and I would like to know if a cleaner sound can be had by accessing internet radio and transmitting from my IMac to the stereo in adjoining room.

My set-up: I have a NAD 272 amp/162 preamp; 2-Ed subs (custom 18" and Ed a5-350); 4-Acoustic Energy Evo 3 speakers--soon to have the AVS123 850s--and the aforementioned Polk XM reciever.

If possible, I would also like to transmit my computer music library, but here's a problem: Most (about 1700 songs) are Itunes purchases and I am of the understanding they can't transmit outside of using a Apple TV+that transmitter thingy they sell--then I have to upgrade my TV to a flat screen (I don't watch much TV, so I still have old-skool tube TV...). Doing ALL this would cost nearly $2,000, counting the TV. The SONOS seemed the way until I ran into the Itunes proprietary snag...

Is there fairly cheap (and maybe higher fidelity--Itunes@128kbp) way to rebuild my library via some other source--or do I spend $$$ doing with Apple TV.

SO, basically, my Q's are two fold: 1) Get computer music library to the stereo. 2) Get higher fidelity "radio" to the stereo.

Any solutions/discussion is appreciated.

1700 songs Itunes purchases....

Ouch....have you not heard of limewire?

Nope. Is it "stealing"? I'll search...At least I use a Costco Apple gift card for 10% off.....

Guess I assumed Itunes was there...for people to purchase music. I know a helluva lot about cars (M Coupe with TC Kline coilover suspension. Front spring rate: 400#. Rear spring rate: 600#. Double adjustable damping. Eurosport full cam kit and ECU programming,,,etc.), motorcycles (KTM Superduke 990 with PC3 custom tune, Leo Vince exhaust, Rizoma bars, KTM factory steering damper) and fitness training (my livlihood--Medx, Hammerstrength, custom/retrofitted Nautilus, York, Magnum fitness, Power-lift equipment--and most important: 33 years experience) though....Hey--maybe that's why I came here and asked--WITH ignorance aplology :)

So, try to guess if I think your response was helpful. Its' like someone saying to me: "What's a good way to get in great shape--a treadmill?" Me: "Haven't you ever heard of strength training?" Then nothing. Most have heard of strength training--and are clueless. And that's okay. It's called "ignorance". Almost NOBODY knows what the hell results-producing strength training entails. MANY ways to interpret/apply weight training. MOST are wrong/sub-optimal in there application. Most have heard of a pushup but can't demonstrate ONE in correct form. SO--I help them. Got it?

Thanks anyways.

My itunes are in a MacMini using my TV as a monitor, audio attached to my stereo amplifier. You need a TV/monitor but it seems to me that computers used for audio and or video should be placed where they used.

I dramatically improved the sound from my Polk XRT-12 by feeding it through my soundcard. An option if you have an HTPC.

I imagine an external DAC may have the same effect. Probably better. Depends whether you want to throw any more money towards the problem.

Does anyone know if there is a merger will they have the ability to increase the bandwidth and sound quality?

I dramatically improved the sound from my Polk XRT-12 by feeding it through my soundcard. An option if you have an HTPC.

I imagine an external DAC may have the same effect. Probably better. Depends whether you want to throw any more money towards the problem.

Does anyone know if there is a merger will they have the ability to increase the bandwidth and sound quality?

Thanks...Uhhh...What's a HTPC and DAT and a soundcard? Told you guys....;)

You don't need the Apple TV since you are only doing music. what you need is the AirPort Express Base Station with AirTunes.

Product Link at Apple Store (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=AB47AE5&fnode=home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/airport_wireless&nplm=M9470LL/A)

This is 100% compatible with your iTunes library. The sound quality is very good since it is receiving the audio data digitally over your wireless network. You will need to have a wireless router (Wi-Fi 802.11b or 802.11g) set up on your home PC or Mac. The AirPort Express has a wi-fi receiver built-in to receive the signal from your home PC or Mac via the wireless router. And this solution does not requre (or even make use of) a TV. Plus it costs less than $100 to implement, assuming that you already have a wireless router set up.

HTPC Home theater PC

DAC Digiatal to analog converter

i've always read that the Polk XM home units are the best sounding for satellite radio in the home... maybe it's just outdated. but are you using the optical outputs?
sonos has integration with sirius which will use an internet connection with higher bitrates and no antenna necessary.
you might also want to just use multiple iPod docks in your rooms and just transfer your iPod wherever you want to listen.
you can also look into slacker (slacker.com). they're coming out with a portable unit that refreshes its playlist thru WiFi, based on your personal song preferences.
let us know what you go with.

i've always read that the Polk XM home units are the best sounding for satellite radio in the home... maybe it's just outdated. but are you using the optical outputs?
sonos has integration with sirius which will use an internet connection with higher bitrates and no antenna necessary.
you might also want to just use multiple iPod docks in your rooms and just transfer your iPod wherever you want to listen.
you can also look into slacker (slacker.com). they're coming out with a portable unit that refreshes its playlist thru WiFi, based on your personal song preferences.
let us know what you go with.

I'll check outputs....If XM and Sirius are/did merge, maybe it's coming.

I use a coax output going through my sound card's DAC that upscales to 96 khz. I also use some proprietary 24 bit extending software and stereo surround DSP and equalization. With all this the sound is much improved. Still sounds compressed, but improved.

I actually have an optical coax going straight to the receiver so I can do on-the-fly A vs B comparisons. The processed signal sounds better, mainly because of the quality of the source. It needs help.

For your music issues I would suggest the following.

http://www.slimdevices.com/pi_overview.html?

It integrates with Itunes and allows transfer of music around the house. You can get two levels, with the transporter being a fairly high quality piece, with very HQ DAC's


Another method is to add a decent DAC Digital analog converter. There are many of them and you can find goos used ones on Audiogon.com.

A recent ones is this
http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/dac1/

Once again, little more then you sound like you want to spend, but it likely solve many of your sound quality issues.

There are so many option. You could build/buy a PC (no mac), setup the windows version of Itunes and then really have some better flexibility. The first would be some very HQ sound cards like the LYNX TWOB, plus a whole host of options in terms of wireless hubs.

This is the best xm radio you can buy today, PERIOD.
http://www.magnumdynalab.com/xm-tuners-overview.htm
I know, brutally expensive, but if you see one used or whatever, here you go.


As an aside, doesn't Apple have a function where you can upgrade all your music to the higher fidelity version with a single click? Also, doesn't itunes now sell DRM free music? All I know is I would break the bond with Apple i-tunes over time. So many DRM free "legal" sites popping up and ones with higher fidelity, that itunes will soon looked dates, in my opinion. What sort of music do you listen to, maybe we could suggest one.
If you like classical, Deutsche Grammophon (king of classical) just launched their own download site with none of the garbage that itunes makes you endure.

http://www2.deutschegrammophon.com/cat/result?ALBUM_TYPE=3


BTW, nice car. I have always had a love affair with the E30 M3, wow, what a car. Was up in Tremblant two summers ago and there was a guy on the track with a full race E30 evo M, the car was making mince meat out of the spanking new 997 turbo's on the track. I was up there with a 996 C4 JIC coils, etc.. but I digress.

XM on DirecTV sounds great... probably the best way to get XM with better sound quality to your stereo-- but certainly not the easiest or cheapest!

Actually, the best audio version of XM is AOL Radio if you are an AOL subscriber (NOT the free AOL radio) -- then you get it in 128kbps AAC+ and it sounds amazing!

OK,

Finally another XM listener that thinks XM sounds compressed. To me, even the best sounding XM stations sound similar to a 96 kbps .mp3 file.

Most people I talk to about what I hear as data compression artifacts (like on live audience applause, cymbals and sibilant consonants) with XM look at me with a blank stare.

I've read that the compression is actually even worse than what a 96 kbps .mp3 file has.

I can believe that XM over DirecTV or even the internet would be better because it likely doesn't broadcast using the same satelites.

I would be up for an XM subscription if I could receive better quality audio than what I'm hearing.

When I do listen to XM, I usually have to switch to Laugh USA or similar talk-based station because it drives me insane hearing the compression artifacts.

For an internet alternative - if you are in the US, then you must try Pandora.com

Pandora sounds as if it's using a 128 kbps stream at least. The way that you select music on Pandora is to type in an artist name or song title, then Pandora sets up a 'station' for you playing similar artists/styles. It keeps track of your 'stations' (the limit used to be 100 stations, not sure what it is now).

I still can't believe that it's free. I wish I could get it in my car.

-Scott