Amplifier with Wi-Fi (?)

[zapatero]

I need to buy a stereo amplifier -- nothing special, average performance, not high-end. The purpose is to drive a set of old but respectable quality existing speakers. (The point is, i don't want to buy a whole package, including speakers, that are commonly available today.)

My goal out of this is to not only step up from my painfully tinny TV speakers, but to be able to enjoy some quality music from internet radio.

Thus my question: Do any modern stereo amplifiers incorporate a Wi-Fi receiver, that can be operated with an existing home Wi-Fi system?

I would greatly appreciate any insights. My knowledge of modern stereo gear is very limited!

Thank you very much,

~~zapatero

[petertucker48]

If you can use Apple iTunes you could consider buying Any stereo amp and connecting an Apple Airport Express.

Check Amazon for customer reviews.

[IMHO]

Yep. Airport over ethernet and wi-fi is now widely implemented on newer multi-channel AVR's (Yamaha, Pioneer, Marantz, Denon etc).

If you have an Apple computer, iPod, iPhone or iPad all you'll need to do is get them on the same wi-fi network to support streaming to the AVR. If you run Windows you'll need a separate Airplay server installed in order to stream - plenty of options out there for that.

The only caveat is that you are not going to find stereo amplifiers with Airport support. If your speakers are bi-ampable you could at least make use of another pair of available channels though That said, all these mainstream AVR's only achieve rated spec in to 2 channels anyway

Edited June 17, 2013 by IMHO

[thatp]

Hi Zapatero,

Am I right to suppose you have this or something similar in mind?

This Wi-Fi radio/wireless network player adapter offers the best value for money at less than THB5,000.

For a bit more you get this portable, rechargeable standalone internet radio/wireless network player model that also has line-out to connect to an existing amp or home theater.

Hope this helps.

Please PM me if you need additional info.

[Arkady]

I recently bought a Denon receiver for (i.e. amplifier) for a home theatre system at Power Buy for about Bt 23k that has wi-fi for playing internet radio. Unfortunately I can't tell you how good it is because the condo no longer has wi-fi but the other functions work pretty well. That is the first amp I have seen with wi-fi. Most modern ones have an Ethernet connect but no wi-fi but I think that will become the norm, since even Bt 4k printers now have wi-fi that works seemlessly.

[zapatero]

Thank you all very much for your informative replies!

Peter and IMHO: I had never heard of Apple's AirPort Express so I found a little research to be interesting. The Amazon reviews are very positive. I am a Windows user, however I do use iTunes to feed my vintage iPod. Other than that, I do not have any Apple products. I think that I understand that even my old iPod would have to be the "touch" model in order to work with AirPort Express. So I'm not sure that AP.E is the best solution for me. Secondly, I think I understand that my PC would have to be turned on in order to stream Internet music. I was hoping to have only my access point and Wi-Fi router turned on, (and of course the amplifier), without my PC. Please do correct me if my understandings are wrong.

thatp: Thank you for taking the trouble to photograph your equipment setup. Indeed, what you have shown is the kind of thing that I (originally) had in mind. (That was before I began to hope to find an amplifier with integrated Wi-Fi). I would appreciate further information on both of your options though. If possible, could you please post a bit more detail here, in case others might be interested? Alternatively, and/or later, I will be happy to PM you.

Arkady: I wish I could go see a demo of your Denon receiver/amplifier. Unfortunately, I live way out in the provinces so no joy. Would you recommed Power Buy as the best place for a look-see at the products available the next time I go to Bangkok?

Thank you all!

~~z

[IMHO]

Thank you all very much for your informative replies!

Peter and IMHO: I had never heard of Apple's AirPort Express so I found a little research to be interesting. The Amazon reviews are very positive. I am a Windows user, however I do use iTunes to feed my vintage iPod. Other than that, I do not have any Apple products. I think that I understand that even my old iPod would have to be the "touch" model in order to work with AirPort Express. So I'm not sure that AP.E is the best solution for me. Secondly, I think I understand that my PC would have to be turned on in order to stream Internet music. I was hoping to have only my access point and Wi-Fi router turned on, (and of course the amplifier), without my PC. Please do correct me if my understandings are wrong.

thatp: Thank you for taking the trouble to photograph your equipment setup. Indeed, what you have shown is the kind of thing that I (originally) had in mind. (That was before I began to hope to find an amplifier with integrated Wi-Fi). I would appreciate further information on both of your options though. If possible, could you please post a bit more detail here, in case others might be interested? Alternatively, and/or later, I will be happy to PM you.

Arkady: I wish I could go see a demo of your Denon receiver/amplifier. Unfortunately, I live way out in the provinces so no joy. Would you recommed Power Buy as the best place for a look-see at the products available the next time I go to Bangkok?

Thank you all!

~~z

While there are several AVR's that support internet radio, and even some that have built-in wi-fi, the problem is their internet radio support is only for commercial providers like Pandora and SiriusXM, who block all streams to TH.

Your next option would be a separate amplifier plus a wi-fi compat media player (Xtreamer, Popcorn Hour, WDTV etc etc), or just a decent TV with built-in media player/streamer, but most of these are only really geared for commercial streams as well, so again most don't work in TH. There are a lot of Chinese streamers on the market though, so perhaps someone has made one that works here..

Your last option is going back to where we started - a cheap AVR with Airplay support, and an iPod touch or iPad - then you have access to apps like TuneInRadio which gives you streams from literally thousands of radio stations around the world, can also stream your own music library direct from the device, and with a few more apps can also double up as multifunction remote for your TV/Stereo, and email client, and web browsing client etc etc..

Edited June 18, 2013 by IMHO

[astral]

My Yamaha amp has an ethernet connection so I could connect a wireless access point and be in business.

[thatp]

The extra bit of convenience of a good standalone Wi-Fi internet radio that doubles as wireless music network player should not be overlooked by avid listeners of streaming radio on the web. High quality Wi-Fi radio receivers are powered by chipsets made by either one of the leading digital radio/internet radio chip manufacturers, Frontier Silicon and Reciva, both based in the UK. In simple terms, a Wi-Fi internet radio/music network player is a specialised computer whose job it is to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi and/or Ethernet. The only job it does when you switch it on is to access a web portal that lists the URLs of reliable streaming servers of internet radio stations (which include most terrestrial radio stations that do simulcast on the web. The list of streaming radio stations are categorised based on location and genre. A well designed user interface, such as intuitive menu system and ease of use, is important as this enhances the enjoyment of listeners who use such device not only to find programme content that they already know and love but also to explore the new or unfamiliar territories.

The determining factor whether to go for a dedicated tabletop or portable Wi-Fi internet radio receiver really is how you listen to the radio. Some people are perfectly content with listening with a smartphone or a tablet on a pair of headphones or in front of a computer with tiny speakers. Others may want to fire up the stereo or home theatre system while listening. While some prefer simplicity and insist on a tabletop/portable Wi-Fi radio set with familiar rotary knob and push buttons even though they already have all other gadgets that can already access web radio.