My second AE died. I don't need it for wireless - it just served as a way to stream music from mac and ipad to my receiver. My question is, can I do the same thing instead if I bought an Apple TV? Even if I don't have my tv on (I will usually access my iTunes and music through my computer)?
This is the way I use my aTV2 most of the time. I either go to iTunes and start a playlist, sending it to the aTV through Airplay, or I use the iOS app Remote to choose what I want from iTunes as I walk around the house.
I happen to have my aTV connected to my receiver by an optical cable, but that is just because I have an older receiver that doesn't do audio passthrough.
Works a charm, except that it will often stop playing after an hour or so. I then have to hit pause and play again and it restarts.