Listening wirelessly

UPDATED: Gramophone's guide to computer-stored music, from downloading and ripping to streaming and playback

B&W's Zeppelin Air - just one of many ways to listen to digitally-stored music

The way we listen to music, and the way we buy and store it, has changed radically in the past decade. Devices and techniques that were cutting-edge just a few years ago are now mainstream (or even obsolete in some cases!).

It may seem hard to keep up, but for those prepared to spend the time (but not necessarily money – much of the equipment discussed is surprisingly inexpensive, or you may already own it), the increased ways of accessing music can make for an rewardingly rich listening experience.

The features below offer a 'how to' guide to listening to music stored digitally, whether through your computer, or streamed over a network. Some of the basic concepts are explained and explored – and if there are any terms that seem unfamiliar, then try consulting the glossary.

As the technology develops, so will this section, so please do return. And if there's anything else you'd like to know or discuss, why not join in the conversation in the audio section of the Gramophone forum?

Features - click the highlighted links below

NEW Computer audio: a solitary pleasure?
Music stored on a computer is convenient: but is it turning us into anti-social listeners?

NEW Apple's iPod, a decade on
It may have taken over the world, but a movement of a symphony is still a 'song'

Apple’s AirPlay: the future of wireless audio?
Will this latest Apple add-on take the company one step closer to hi-fi domination?

More ways to stream the Gramophone Player – and all your other music, too
The options for music streaming just keep on growing: we explain some of the most recent arrivals

The latest wireless music developments
The way we connect our systems is changing: slowly, but it’s happening

Connecting your computer to your audio system
The case for feeding audio from computer to hi-fi is ever more compelling

Digital music storage formats
There’s a bewildering range of formats in which music can be stored - we make sense of them

Ripping and streaming
Computer-stored music has gone way beyond dodgy downloads from suspect websites: here's how to store your music

System alternatives
You've stored your music on computer hard-drives – now find out more about playback options

The changing face of system connectivity
The latest equipment has a range of unfamiliar socketry - here's how to make sense of it all

Product reviews

NEW Naim SuperUniti Moving the all-in-on streaming system forward

NEW T+A Music Receiver The name may be prosaic, but this is an accomplished streamer

NAD C 446 An affordable, smooth-sounding network tuner

Musical Fidelity M1 CLiC A streamer, a DAC and a preamplifier in one small box

Cyrus Streamline A late arrival in the streaming arena – was it worth the wait?

Cambridge Audio Sonata NP30 Simple, compact and affordable network player

Naim NDX High-end network player more than justifies its price

Musical Fidelity V-Link A simple solution to a common computer audio problem

Denon CEOL An unusual name, but a perfectly sensible networked system

Marantz NA7004 Network player aims to cover all the bases

Onkyo TX-NR609 An affordable network receiver with real music-appeal

Sony SMP-N100 Clever little black box delivers music, video, live concerts and more

Revo Heritage A retro radio with very modern features

Linn Majik DS-I The start of the future of music?

Rotel RDG-1520 Streaming capability brings the radio tuner up to date

Naim UnitiQute Simplified one-box network player makes sound sense

AVI ADM9.1 Unusual active speakers prove a viable system alternative

NaimUniti Way beyond the all-in-one norm

Epoz Aktimate Maxi Powered speaker system is much more than an iPod dock

Teufel Concept B 200 USB Value for money package makes computer audio simple

Arcam Solo Neo All-in-one with wireless audio and a smooth, safe sound

Marantz M-CR603 A compact solution packed with performance

Rocketfish Wireless Music System Wire-free hi-fi made simple and affordable

Yamaha NP-S2000 High-end streaming client shows benefits of purist audiophile approach

Glossary

An A-Z of audio – and some video – terminology