Can I stream Spotify to my hi-fi via a wireless network?

you can stream audio via bluetooth. you need to get a bluetooth audio receiver I use the motorola DC-800 which i got from amazon for abour 20 quid. the bluetooth adapter/driver in you pc needs to be able to to transmit the A2DP protocol. I use Bluesoleil which was again about 20quid and it works well with the dell adapter i have.

the problem you will find however is that if you are streaming spoitfy via a wireless network along with bluetooth to your stereo then you will run into problems as most WiFi networks use the same frequency as bluetooth - 2.4ghz . Various protocols have been introduced to try and help minimize the conflicts but none of them are suitable for time sensitive data tranmission like audio streaming.

the only solution i have come up with is to use a different wifi protocol - 802.11a this one uses the frequency 5ghz which eliminates the clashes however the transmission range in way less the the current standard 802.11g (which is what you are prbably using). so if you are using it with more than 20 metres and one brick wall in the way it probably won't reach. you'll need to get a 802.11a router or 802.11a wifi access point which are somewhat hard to come by cheaply but i found one on e-bay. (your wifi card in the pc also needs to be able to transmit 802.11a. (bluetooth doesn't transmit too well through walls or much beyond 15 meters anyhow)

there is a new protocol 802.11n which is in draft format hopefully when released fully will transmit on the 5ghz freq as well as the 2.4ghz freq which will bring readily available hardware at better prices.

Airfoil combined with an Apple Airport works flawlessly for me ;)