iTunes remote controlled playback via iPod Touch

With my iMac 24 acting as a web server and a small piece of code running over ssh and a bit of third-party Ajax code (in this case I am using Remote Buddy, although I am also exploring the simpler and less-featured Signal) a remote control system for my iTunes library is in place and accessible on my iPod Touch. With the Airport Express (used as a Repeater/Signal Booster for the main house network) in the living room connected via SPDIF Optical link to my Micromega DAC and lossless CD rips I no longer have to worry about what my next CD player will be, because it won't! I'll just buy CDs as buckets of DRM-free music and schlepp them into iTunes (or some other music server) and be done with it. The sound quality via a lossless rip from the Airport Express' Optical Digital jack into a balanced mode DAC directly fed into my studio monitors is really excellent... no... its exceptional!

The best bit with Remote Buddy is I can also select which speakers to play through -- so if I have multiple Airport Express units I can just channel music into one, some or all of the rooms where there is an Airport Express and an Amp/Speaker combo.

Its early days as yet but to me its looking to be a good system for me, I'm still getting used to a few things that are totally alien to me like not playing whole LPs from start to finish and creating compilations based on mood/emotion/time of day and so on, but as I already make playlists for the Gym I guess I'll make the transition easily enough.

Next step is to assemble the code to enable remote streaming of iTunes-stored music into my iPod Touch while I am in WiFi reach either for live streaming or grabbing music collections on the hoof.

All of a sudden 16Gb for toting around local music storage seems fine.