First toe dip into the digital stream

Congratulations! Welcome to digital music!

Use iTunes to rip, archive and access your music. It's a great program that offers high quality, yet simple to use. Make sure you turn off the "Sound Check" and "Sound Enhancer" options....and use either Apple Lossless or AIFF as your codec. I prefer Apple Lossless, but that can be controversial. ;)

Use the built in AirTunes feature to stream your music to your 5103 (which is a great processor) using an Apple AirPort Express. You can add as many as AirPort Express units as needed. They will automatically access iTunes and the AirPort Setup Assistant it easy. The AirPort Express has both analog and digital out. The digital out is the same "3.5mm" audio Jack, but it has a special "toslink mini" plug. I use glass toslink cables from VanDenHul and WireWorld. You can also use any toslink cable that has a "mini toslink" on one end and a regular toslink on the other.

Download the Apple Remote app from the App Store to allow you to control your iTunes library and what rooms (systems) to be streamed to. It's a very easy and reliable app.

I have been using and designing iTunes music systems for several years, and I am a big supporter of "less is more" when it comes to iTunes. Don't get too distracted by third party software and hardware.

Let me know if you have any questions, and keep me posted as to your progress.

http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/features/airtunes.html

Here is Apple's AirTunes and Remote app page. The AirPort Express is $99 each, and the Remote app is free. The AirPort Express can be wireless or wired. Wireless is much easier and sounds great. It works better (and sounds better) if you have a 802.11n router.

I agree with Hellofidelity. Keep it simple with iTunes. In addition to choosing a lossless codec (I prefer AIFF), also be sure to turn on error correction in the "import settings" of iTunes. The codec setting and error correction can be found by opening iTunes, click on iTunes on the top banner (next to the apple), click on preferences from the drop down menu, look on the general tab and where you see "When I insert a CD", choose what you want the MAC to do (I select "ask to import CD"), then finally click on "import settings". On the import settings tab, select your codec (apple lossless or AIFF), then click on the box to turn on error correction.

That's it! Now whenever you insert a CD, iTunes will launch and ask if you want to import the CD. It will use your chosen codec and use error correction.

Simple as pie! Now you'll need to decide how you want to manage a library of all of your CDs! Some folks just rip everything to the music folder, which is fine. Some folks create a new playlist for every CD. Your choice, but you can always create new playlist from your previously ripped CDs in the music folder at a future time.

Enjoy,

TIC

Oops! I forgot to mention "Error Correction". Thank you Reubent for the correction.

Please also check out the primers on "Computer Audiophile" website for lots of information from beginners to advanced. I also went for the simplest start up system, using an older Apple G4 that I inherited from my sons, added 2 USB hard drives at $100 each, an iPod touch used for $150 as a controller for Remote and VNC. Be sure to configure the USB drives to back each other up or periodically back up one to another. They will fail! For a total of $350 invested, it is money well spent. I added a M2Tech hiface for a USB>spdif converter for another $150. That's a total of $500. Be sure to have fun! I am using iTunes with Apple Lossless files. Budget about 6-7 CDs per hour to rip.