Hi, guys

My problem is this: I haven't got the money for an MCL2AV + MC2P to listen to my computer music in my study and I really don't want any more power cables around my house anyway. However, I'd like to make a very long audio cable (30m or so) and connect it to TAPE2 on my BM5500 downstairs.

Maplin seem to have quite a lot of stuff. Do you have any advice on what kind of cable/connectors I should get and what to look out for? Apologies for being cheap, but I wouldn't do it in other circumstances...

Cheers,
Dragos

I wouldn't want to run a cable such as that over those distances - you'll end up with masses of interference.

Masterlink can handle it because it's a 'balanced' connection which rejects interference (you won't find professional sound engineers running un-balanced connections, EVERYTHING is balanced for this reason), but an iPod cable is not balanced.

If you do want to do this, then my suggestion would be to purchase 4x mains-powered DI boxes, with two at either end of the length of cable to convert the signals to balanced and back again. At this rate though, we'll be talking several hundred pounds in cost, so it's probably beyond your price range.

The other option is to look at something like an Airport Express. £60 or therabouts and it'll allow you to stream your iTunes wirelessly from any computer with iTunes installed.

Hi Dragos,

Unless I'm missing something, the title of your posting makes reference to an iPod but the actual text talks about listening to your 'computer music'. No mention of an iPod nor how the music is stored on the PC, eg; iTunes.

I agree about the cable length. Too long.

Airport Express is a great option, but the music on your PC cannot be controlled from your location downstairs, nor of course could it be with your cable idea.

How about an iPod with all your PC tracks loaded from iTunes and plugged into your B&O downstairs. Cost more of course than perhaps you want to spend but you'll have full control of your music.

kokomo:

Airport Express is a great option, but the music on your PC cannot be controlled from your location downstairs, nor of course could it be with your cable idea.

Airport Express all the way!

Do you have a wireless network? What iPod are you using? If you have a Touch, then all you need is the remote app and you have control!

If you don't have a touch... sell your iPod. Go to apple.com and buy yourself the Airport Express, an audio cable, and a refurb'd Touch. The remote app is free! You will not regret it!

I use it all the time!

burantek:

kokomo:

Airport Express is a great option, but the music on your PC cannot be controlled from your location downstairs, nor of course could it be with your cable idea.

Airport Express all the way!

Do you have a wireless network? What iPod are you using? If you have a Touch, then all you need is the remote app and you have control!

If you don't have a touch... sell your iPod. Go to apple.com and buy yourself the Airport Express, an audio cable, and a refurb'd Touch. The remote app is free! You will not regret it!

I use it all the time!

I Agree 'Burantek', but I'll bet Dragos is now regretting asking for advice as I think he was looking for a cheap solution to his needs!

I'll add to your suggestions, as well as a Touch, get an ATV then there is no need to have the PC running. Failing that, Airport Express as you suggest.

Nah, that's very cool of you all to suggest things to avoid making big mistakes. Yep, I was thinking of a cheap way around things, but if it means rubbish quality I'll definitely forget about it. I've got an iPod Nano (or rather I had, as my lady has taken a very strong liking to it ;). If everyone is suggesting the Airport Express, I guess that's exactly what I will be looking for.

Apologies for putting the iPod in the title as a substitute for -everything-that-will-accept-a-3.55mm-jack. Controlling the playlist is not an issue, as I am always surprised by my musinc when I turn the Shuffle on.

So once again, thanks for all your very good advice (it's the second time today, as someone at the top of a stormy hill pointed out to us we were going in the opposite direction to where we wanted to be, thus preventing us from making another big mistake - the wonders of just asking people! ;).

Cheers,
Dragos

Just out of curiosity: could I achieve the same thing with AppleTV as with the Airport Express? I am thinking of being able to connect the AppleTV via HDMI to my Tv and via analogue audio to my BM5500. Is there already a cable that goes from ATV to old BMs like the 5500?

Would I be able to control what's currently playing from my PC upstairs (as in make it play music through my BM5500) through iTunes or another app? I am working on creating a multi-room system, so if I could tell it what to play from my computer (I don't have an iPhone yet, but will do my best to get one at some point because of its remote.app) and switch on the B&O speakers in my study upstairs, that would be mint!

Cheers, everyone ;)

Hi again Dragos. Your connection idea would work fine. I've connected my ATV to my 'old but beautiful' 4500 setup for audio. The ATV has standard left/right phono out and I made up my own cable by joining a phono cable to a B&O cable I had and which had the necessary DIN plug to connect to my B&O. Don't know about the input sockets on a 5500.

Yes you would be able to listen to and control your music from your PC to either the ATV or the Express. On the control aspect, what the ATV would permit is direct control from a Touch via the 'remote' app without a PC being on. The Airport Express can only receive streaming audio from iTunes on your PC.

By the way, 'Airfoil' can transmit audio from any audio player on your PC to the Express and not just from iTunes, but you'll have to pay for it.

If you're happy with all your media coming from iTunes then forget about Airfoil.

Good luck!