[PLUG-TALK] Ubuntu desktop to stereo receiver

[John Jason Jordan]

I stream internet radio (and the occasional movie) to my home stereo
receiver's auxiliary RCA inputs via a long cable running across the
room. It connects to the audio out jack on my desktop computer,
currently running Lucid, x86_64, although that may change in the near
future. There is an adapter at the back of the computer that converts
the 3.5 mm out to RCA, and then the cable across the room is a specially
purchased shielded 20 foot RCA stereo cable. 

I have been using this setup for some time, but it is problematic.
First, the cables and/or sound chip on the motherboard pick up RF from
the environment - two computers, laser printer, electric fan motors,
possibly the refrigerator in the next room, and maybe even my brain.
OK, probably not much RF output from my brain, or much of anything else
either, but I definitely get a bit of 60 Hz hum, and when the
screensaver comes on I hear soft rhythmic thumps. On top of that, the
audio quality is not perfect, which I suspect is due to impedance
mismatch between what the audio out on the computer delivers and what
the auxiliary input on the stereo receiver is expecting. I don't know
the impedance of either end, so that is a guess. The results are
tolerable, but I know the stereo and speakers (ESS Amt10b) are capable
of better sound.

I am considering replacing the cable + adapter with a wireless
transmitter/receiver setup, possibly this one:

http://tinyurl.com/7rsft8k , or this one:  http://tinyurl.com/6n378ad

As an alternative I am looking for a new receiver, one that has a
built-in bluetooth receiver for audio input. I don't know if such
exists, but it might be cool. The advantage of bluetooth, either built
into the receiver or via one of the adapters in the above links, is
that I can then stream from my phone if I want to. I currently stream
internet radio stations via my phone to a pair of audiophile bluetooth
headphones, and the sound is superb. I do this all the time - when
outdoors hiking, or in the library at PSU, etc. However, the desktop
computer does not have bluetooth, although I have a USB bluetooth
dongle that I could plug in.

Or maybe I need a different sound card in the computer, one that can
transmit. Currently I'm using whatever ASUS put on the motherboard. But
I don't know if such sound cards exist. 

I'm fishing for ideas and suggestions. Any input is welcome.