Need advice on high quality air play setup

[deadkennedy]

I'm willing to spend up to 1500 USD. Need speakers and a receiver with airplay and hopefully that would handle my TV and PS3 as well. I'm somewhat reluctant to installing that surround system with many cigarette box speakers on the walls around my head.

If the setup really impresses me, I might go up on the price point.

 

[Wheeler]

I could be wrong but I don't think any 3rd party airplay products have been released, so recommendation of an airplay enabled receiver is tough, although I would bet the first released is a Denon- which rock.

 

[gtmac]

I have AEs or ATV2s connected to all of my stereos throughout the house and they work great!!!

So what exactly are you looking for in a stereo system? Take the airplay out of the equation it's way too limiting.

Can't beat Onkyo for value but price is irrelevant until we understand what you want. Are you saying you don't want full surround? You don't want 7 speakers plus a sub?

 

[QuarterSwede]

I'm somewhat reluctant to installing that surround system with many cigarette box speakers on the walls around my head.

There's always the in-wall speaker solution. That's what I'm eventually aiming for.

Also, I'd agree that you should drop the AirPlay requirement from your receiver. It's really just way too limiting. You can find receivers for much less (as gtscode stated, Onkyo) that are easily as good without AirPlay. Get an AppleTV to add it. Any decent receiver will have enough inputs/outputs to support an HDTV and PS3 plus a load more.

 

[gtmac]

There's always the in-wall speaker solution. That's what I'm eventually aiming for.

That is where I want to get this year too. Everything in wall or ceiling but the subs. Still looking for the right mix if quality and value.

 

[deadkennedy]

I dont know guys, it seems it's getting complicated.

1) Aren't two good old fashioned speakers enough?

2) Why I don't need airplay in the receiver? I would like to have the ability to stream from devices to hear music.

3) How does ATV actually come into play? Stupid question, but could I use instead of my Comcast provided STB? I heard it doesn't support HD.

Maybe something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-RCD-N7-Network-Streaming-Receiver/dp/B00462QTDA

although it seems kinda small and childish, packed with everything

+ this:

http://www.bostonacoustics.com/-CS-226-Floorstanding-Speaker-P260.aspx


or this:

http://www.buy.com/prod/harman-infi...ck/q/sellerid/16065700/loc/111/208504157.html

 

[newagemac]

Sure you can buy a receiver with Airplay built in, but I don't think there are that many available yet and the early ones seem pretty expensive. The suggestion was that you could connect an ATV2 to any receiver with an optical or HDMI port and get the same Airplay ability as one that had it built in plus adds video capabilities.

 

[gtmac]

Sure you can buy a receiver with Airplay built in, but I don't think there are that many available yet and the early ones seem pretty expensive. The suggestion was that you could connect an ATV2 to any receiver with an optical or HDMI port and get the same Airplay ability as one that had it built in plus adds video capabilities.

Yes this! Plus read the reviews of that particular unit, not so impressive. This will improve with time.

You can also do what I did and but used Airport Expresses on Ebay for dirt cheap! The G models now go for less than $40 and are perfect for music!

 

[deadkennedy]

Ok so what your saying is I should by receiver + speakers that I like but use either ATV or AE to stream. Gotcha.

How is ATV2? Can it support 1080 HD and can it work with my Comcast subscription?