TomCarp
Novice Member
Had some speaker channel problems involving a aux-attached iPod dock. One option was to upgrade/replace the audio receiver with wireless input capabilities, thus eliminating the hard-wired dock. In researching that, and other options, it became clear quickly that there are some basic architecture terms regarding the current audio technology that I don't understand. Rather than just ask for definitions, I'd appreciate help in configuring my new set up. I can do the "definition" homework.
The layout is simple: 2 wired outdoor speakers, and 2 wired indoor speakers. Audio-only system (not a home theater system), and only two sources are currently used: the tuner and the aux-attached iPod dock. The iPod has some iTunes playlists that are manually selected for playback. The iTunes playlists are synced from a single copy of iTunes stored on a laptop. We also have an Amazon Alexa voice assistant that is not integrated into the system.
The objective is to 1) eliminate the speaker channel issue, and 2) enhance the capabilities for audio source selection/playback. Also included is the objective to integrate the voice assisted capabilities for source selection and playback control. Other objectives like having an app to control the receiver would be nice but not important.
I have a NAS device on the wi-fi network, and wonder whether migrating the iTunes library from the laptop to the NAS would allow for audio streaming to the receiver.
Finally, integrating the voice assistant would be very nice.
My first move was to replace the current Denon DRA297 stereo receiver with a Denon AVR S650H theater receiver. The 650 seemed to have all the wireless connections and controls I was looking for. But I returned it after a few days, partly because it's overkill for a non-theater environment, and I found the 248-page user manual difficult to understand and follow. Replacing the receiver is still an option, which, I assume, means the newer units would have wireless built-in. The other option seems to be buying some newer source selection unit, which I think are called "DAC" devices. I also looked at a newer dock that had wireless capabilities. The current dock is a Denon ASD1R. It appears there's a new one with a "W" suffix, which seems to mean wireless.
This is where my terminology limitations became apparent.
Any help navigating through this would be very much appreciated.
The layout is simple: 2 wired outdoor speakers, and 2 wired indoor speakers. Audio-only system (not a home theater system), and only two sources are currently used: the tuner and the aux-attached iPod dock. The iPod has some iTunes playlists that are manually selected for playback. The iTunes playlists are synced from a single copy of iTunes stored on a laptop. We also have an Amazon Alexa voice assistant that is not integrated into the system.
The objective is to 1) eliminate the speaker channel issue, and 2) enhance the capabilities for audio source selection/playback. Also included is the objective to integrate the voice assisted capabilities for source selection and playback control. Other objectives like having an app to control the receiver would be nice but not important.
I have a NAS device on the wi-fi network, and wonder whether migrating the iTunes library from the laptop to the NAS would allow for audio streaming to the receiver.
Finally, integrating the voice assistant would be very nice.
My first move was to replace the current Denon DRA297 stereo receiver with a Denon AVR S650H theater receiver. The 650 seemed to have all the wireless connections and controls I was looking for. But I returned it after a few days, partly because it's overkill for a non-theater environment, and I found the 248-page user manual difficult to understand and follow. Replacing the receiver is still an option, which, I assume, means the newer units would have wireless built-in. The other option seems to be buying some newer source selection unit, which I think are called "DAC" devices. I also looked at a newer dock that had wireless capabilities. The current dock is a Denon ASD1R. It appears there's a new one with a "W" suffix, which seems to mean wireless.
This is where my terminology limitations became apparent.
Any help navigating through this would be very much appreciated.