Wow, Marc, I think you rung the bell! This sounds just exactly like what I had in mind. The HiFi Link has RCA outputs so don't have to have digital input on the amp; the Link Pro has digital outputs if you want 'em at $99 though. My only reservation is that the shirt pocket software requires OS X, which I haven't yet installed on my clamshell ibook; maybe this is the nudge I've been waiting for. Please let me know how you're coming with the project; I hope to get started on it myself before long. Many thanks for sharing your research. Travis > Hi Travis- > > I just decided to do the same thing. What I am doing is as follows: > > 1. Use an old Power book as the server. Try making sure the computer you use > has a USB port. > > 2. Use a product from Xitel(www.xitel.com) called Hi Fi Link ($49.00) which > goes between your server and your amp to provide highest quality digital > output of the sound. It connects to the amp via it's cable. The amp if > possible should accept digital input.. This is through an optical input call > Toslink which is pretty common in new amps that accept digital inputs. > > 3. Control itunes on the server via a shareware product called net-tunes > that can be downloaded via... http://www.shirt-pocket.com This will allow > you to control it from a remote computer via airport etc. > > I wouldn't be surprised if a "home version" of an ipod isn't coming soon > exactly for this purpose. If you choose not to use a dedicated "music > server" check out the Audiotron from Turtle Beach.. > > Let me know if you find anything else. If anyone has any other suggestions, > or know's of any other products for this purpose, let me know too. But this > is the simplest and most direct I've been able to determine. > > Rock on.. > > On 11/24/02 5:28 PM, "iTunesList" <iTunes at lists.themacintoshguy.com> wrote: > >> iTunesList Digest #526 >> ---------- >> Check out the iTunes email list FAQ >> http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/iTunes.html >> >> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <iTunes-off at lists.themacintoshguy.com> >> To switch to the message mode, E-mail to >> <iTunes-feed at lists.themacintoshguy.com> >> Need help from a real person? Try. >> <iTunes-request at lists.themacintoshguy.com> >> >> ---------- >> NineWire | If they are cool enough to host this list... >> Digital Solutions | ...you should check them out! http://www.NineWire.com/ >> >> USB Stuff | Cool USB Stuff for your Cool New Mac! >> Dr. Bott | <http://www.drbott.com/prod/alist/USB.html> >> >> Cyberian | Support this list when you buy at Outpost.com! >> Outpost | http://www.themacintoshguy.com/outpost.shtml >> ---------- >> >> >> 1) Music server? >> by Travis Martin <tmartin198 at cox.net> >> 2) Re: Music server? >> by Andrew Nye <andrew at nye.tc> >> >> This digest is sent to you because you are subscribed to >> the mailing list <iTunes at lists.themacintoshguy.com>. >> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <iTunes-off at lists.themacintoshguy.com> >> To switch to the FEED mode, E-mail to <iTunes-feed at lists.themacintoshguy.com> >> Send administrative queries to <iTunes-request at lists.themacintoshguy.com> >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Date: Sun, 24 Nov 2002 13:22:21 -0600 >> Subject: [iTunes] Music server? >> From: Travis Martin <tmartin198 at cox.net> >> Message-ID: <BA06830C.3BF9%tmartin198 at cox.net> >> >> Good afternoon, >> >> I have it in mind to put together a music server to use as my home >> entertainment center. I don't wish to give any floor space to it and >> envision a totally hidden system. The trouble is, I haven't done anything >> quite like it before and would appreciate any pointers that any of you would >> be willing to send. >> >> I picture getting an older Mac (read: cheap) since all I want is a big hard >> drive and sound outputs. If I configure it to start up with only itunes and >> something like Timbuktu, I should be able to run it "headless" in a closet >> with only a network connection and the sound outputs running to a power amp >> and speakers. I can then control it from my Airport-equipped ibook. For that >> matter, I could have a similar system in every room of the house, couldn't >> I? >> >> Any reason this won't work? What's the most cost-effective (read: cheap) way >> to implement this and still have good sound and ease of use? >> >> Thanks, >> >> Travis >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Date: Sun, 24 Nov 2002 19:27:01 +0000 >> Subject: [iTunes] Re: Music server? >> From: Andrew Nye <andrew at nye.tc> >> Message-Id: <B4DABB1F-FFE2-11D6-8E7D-0003936745CC at nye.tc> >> >> >> On Sunday, November 24, 2002, at 07:22 pm, Travis Martin wrote: >> >>> Any reason this won't work? What's the most cost-effective (read: >>> cheap) way >>> to implement this and still have good sound and ease of use? >> >> Would the quality of audio out be dependant on the quality of the Mac's >> sound 'card'? >> >> Andrew >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> ---------- >> Check out the iTunes email list FAQ >> http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/iTunes.html >> >> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <iTunes-off at lists.themacintoshguy.com> >> To switch to the message mode, E-mail to >> <iTunes-feed at lists.themacintoshguy.com> >> Need help from a real person? Try. >> <iTunes-request at lists.themacintoshguy.com> >> >> ---------- >> NineWire | If they are cool enough to host this list... >> Digital Solutions | ...you should check them out! http://www.NineWire.com/ >> >> USB Stuff | Cool USB Stuff for your Cool New Mac! >> Dr. Bott | <http://www.drbott.com/prod/alist/USB.html> >> >> Cyberian | Support this list when you buy at Outpost.com! >> Outpost | http://www.themacintoshguy.com/outpost.shtml >> End of iTunesList Digest #526 >> ***************************** >> > > -- > > > > > ---------- > Check out the iTunes email list FAQ > http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/iTunes.html > > To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <iTunes-off at lists.themacintoshguy.com> > To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to > <iTunes-digest at lists.themacintoshguy.com> > Need help from a real person? Try. <iTunes-request at lists.themacintoshguy.com> > > ---------- > $14.99 Unlimited Nationwide Mac Dialup and Mac Web Hosting from your Mac ISP > Serious Mac Internet Solutions From NineWire! http://macinternetaccess.com > > Keyspan | New Digital Media Remote, great for MP3 players and CD players. > Dr. Bott | Now $49.00 <http://www.drbott.com/prod/keyspan.html> > > Cyberian | Support this list when you buy at Outpost.com! > Outpost | http://www.themacintoshguy.com/outpost.shtml