Radio 3 via iTunes

[muzzer]

I was listening to the iPlayer version through iTunes/Airport on the big HiFi). .

Apols for OT and failure to search other threads and gen ignorance but is it poss to play iplayer radio thru itunes and thence to proper-sized speakers? My MF CLIC won't play radio anymore grrr.

[Dave2002]

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Apols for OT and failure to search other threads and gen ignorance but is it poss to play iplayer radio thru itunes and thence to proper-sized speakers? My MF CLIC won't play radio anymore grrr.

Several issues here - whether you want on demand programmes or live, and also which of the R3 streams you want to listen to - 320 kbps or others. I'm guessing that your failure with the MF CLIC is due to some fairly recent changes which have been documented elsewhere on these boards.

I may be able to check some of this for you in a while, though I think others may already have more definitive answers.

Currently I'm listening to Previn's recorded version of the Rachmaninov 2nd symphony. It's less "steady" than the latest Barbican performance. I think I've got the LP somewhere too. Despite admiration for AP I prefer Ashkenazy in this work recorded with the Concertgebouw, and in live performances Andris Nelsons takes some beating. Following HS's hints I'll check to see if there's an easily accessible version by Silvestri to hand. That's not looking too hopeful, though there is a Silvestri recording of the 3rd symphony.

I thought the latest LSO performance was good, but not the best I've ever heard, though it may simply be what I'm used to.

[Dave2002]

Apols for OT and failure to search other threads and gen ignorance but is it poss to play iplayer radio thru itunes and thence to proper-sized speakers? My MF CLIC won't play radio anymore grrr.

Try this



I got it to work with the live stream to listen to Nielsen 5 in TTN. Sounds OK, though not sure which stream it is.

Not sure if the image is going to show up. Of course it didn't the first time.

If you can't see the Internet stations, click on the ... option to see a fuller menu, then scroll down to Classical, then down to BBC R3.

That Nielsen 5 with Thomas Søndergård with the BBC NOW was really good.

I haven't found a way to do on-demand of particular programmes via iTunes yet. Probably should resume this on the Techie section to avoid too much OT material.

[Nick Armstrong]

I got it to work with the live stream to listen to Nielsen 5 in TTN. Sounds OK, though not sure which stream it is.

Yes live R3 is no problem on iTunes - it was after-the-event listening muzzer was talking about mainly I think.

Re: the stream, you can set your page to have a column showing bitrate. I have and it's the 128kbps stream. They used to have the 320kbps one but it was disabled... (Possibly consequent on this: http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...ghlight=iTunes )

[muzzer]

Thanks both, v helpful. Yes I've found that part of itunes, just got to get it thru to the big stereo etc etc.

[Nick Armstrong]

Thanks both, v helpful. Yes I've found that part of itunes, just got to get it thru to the big stereo etc etc.

This changed my life: https://www.apple.com/uk/airport-express/ But you do need to have iTunes on one of their bits of kit in the first place...

[Cockney Sparrow]

To recap - to listen live to the Radio, then the iTunes page above will help you. As will the Radio 3 live stream...

To replay the Previn concert any other way in iTunes, it needs to be a music file (mp3, etc) just like any other music (from iTunes store, imported from CD) you use iTunes to replay. You won't get a file from BBC iPlayer (although there are, more complicated, ways of creating one....)

To listen to the iPlayer 30 days catch up stream of the Previn concert you need to connect a computer (or, if you go there, a smartphone or tablet), replay the concert using listen again and output to your audio set up.

What computer do you use - what is the extent of your IT skills / confidence/comfort level? (And, by the way, sorry if I offend and you are an IT whizz.....in which case you should stick around and help us out!) )

What inputs do you have on your audio system, have you ever connected a smartphone, or portable audio (walkman, etc) to it? (Caliban's link is to a wireless streamer which will use an input on your audio system) .

Would you be likely to use "listen again" to many BBC iPlayer programmes this way (i.e. how much trouble is it worth taking - is this a one off?).

(Sorry, but I'm off for the rest of the day, so will look at this thread this evening, but others will no doubt be able to help....)

[muzzer]

That's all v helpful thanks CS and Cali. What I'm missing in my setup I think is something connected to my "hi-fi" [!] that will accept a high quality stream of a non-live event, as opposed to parking the macbook by the amp and using the headphones socket to play from the radio iplayer into an Aux input on the amp, which I assume will provide something.....My main beef is that my spenny streamer wot has internet radio no longer can get the BBC, live, iplayer stored or otherwise.

Getting an Airport Express sounds like the best option. That said, I have everything hard-wired thru TP 'magic plugs' on the mains so am straining to find cheap way of connecting that which is playing here on the laptop thru to downstairs.

"Listening to the wireless" - what an evocative, and yet now problematic, statement....

[Nick Armstrong]

"Listening to the wireless" - what an evocative, and yet now problematic, statement....

... and yet prophetic!

[Dave2002]

Getting an Airport Express sounds like the best option. That said, I have everything hard-wired thru TP 'magic plugs' on the mains so am straining to find cheap way of connecting that which is playing here on the laptop thru to downstairs.

Are you a Mac/Apple user, or do you use a PC? You mention a "spenny streamer" - is it one of the ones which has software teams trying to work with the BBC to fix the problem caused by the changes, or are you with one which has been left high and dry by them? Some hardware systems may come to life again eventually, either by the efforts of the associated software teams, or by community efforts.

Another option might be to use an Apple TV - though I think that's due for a re-release soon. I have one of those, but I wouldn't recommend it 100% - for various reasons - but it is an option. If you are "into" hi-res files then these solutions might not work for you, as there are almost certain format conversions in the wireless links, but for "normal" radio listening, even of the BBC's HD streams (if they reappear in iTunes) then any quality loss due to the links could be acceptable and very probably not noticeable.

I myself often link my laptop directly into my DAC with an optical cable, but I am certainly now finding more and more that I'd probably rather be at the other end of the room to get a better listening position, and running a 5 or 10 metre optical or coax cable is really not a great option, so I may investigate the wireless options.

One other thing to note is that another route is to use tablets, such as iPads, or else iPhones, with wireless streaming. I think these can work with Airport Express and/or Apple TV. Unfortunately Apple have created two rather different ways of getting similar functionality - as some things can be done with Mac OS and a "real" computer, while other things can be done with mobile devices and iOS.

Yet another option you have is to install some form of streamer to feed your hi-fi, and then use wireless devices to control the streamer. That way you should be able to use either mobile devices (tablets, phones etc.) or computers.
There are perhaps too many different ways to crack a nut these days.

Sadly ensuring business continuity is a hazard. I have Logitech streamers, but although they still work, they are no longer being developed by Logitech, so support is from community effort. Sonos seem to be a current option, but there's no guarantee that those devices will also be obsoleted in rather a shorter time than you'd like. The technology/electronics/IT world business model seems to assume that everyone will be able and "willing" to change update their kit every few years. OTOH we have FM radios which are 35+ years old which are still functional, and even used!

[muzzer]

Thanks. I have a MacBook. My streamer is a Musical Fidelity Clic. It's all become a PITA.

[Cockney Sparrow]

If wireless will work (laptop to audio system - not too far apart?) then yes, you can use "Listen Again" on the iPlayer (I'm presuming this will work on a Mac, I use Windows myself) and then wireless into an airport express, located at your audio system.

At the sort of price the MF Clic was sold, surely you would expect some support from the manufacturer and/or retailer? - and a resolution to the problem.

[Nick Armstrong]

yes, you can use "Listen Again" on the iPlayer (I'm presuming this will work on a Mac, I use Windows myself) and then wireless into an airport express, located at your audio system.

Ah? I'm on Macs and I thought not. What 'transmits' iPlayer "Listen Again" from your Windows PC to your airport express?

[johnb]

muzzer,

Have you contacted Musical Fidelity to see if they have plans to restore (320 kbps) BBC iPlayer functionality to their CLIC models with a firmware upgrade? Presumably it will depend on the aggregators they use as well as the firmware.

It is always just possible that Musical Fidelity already have a solution.

[Anastasius]

.... OTOH we have FM radios which are 35+ years old which are still functional, and even used!

And still beat the pants of, sonically, anything digital !!