Digital music, the pain and the agony

heiney9

SCompRacer wrote: »

That would be dBpoweramp! It rules! At least we think it do.

http://dbpoweramp.com/

:cheesygrin:

H9

falconcry72

EAC is fast for me. Even in the most critical settings in accurate mode it only takes 3-4 minutes per disc, unless the're super dirty or scratched, but in that case you would want it to go slow, otherwise, with standard ripping software, you'd end up with an imperfect rip.

tonyb

Just a small observation on my side with the Sonos. Going over my settings trying to see if I changed anything. After I ripped apple lossless, I apparently changed my file settings in the Sonos to umcompressed. This introduced better detail, but also brought forward more digital glare. I turned it back to compressed and the digital glare has been 75% reduced. Yeah, I lost alittle detail, but got rid of something much worse so it was a good trade off in my book.

Rich, Phil has convinced me on the buffer. That Burson buffer is looking damn sweet though. Here's my trouble though. With the audio gd dac, then adding a tube buffer and added cabling, the total cost starts climbing and I added more gear to turn on and off. I'm contemplating waiting for a used Burson dac to show up since they have buffering in them also. Or maybe stepping up the ladder to a used PS audio digital link 3 dac, which is said to be warmer sounding and that maybe a better match for me. Decisions, decisions....really I'm just drooling to get a Burson anything in my system.

tonyb

oops, double post, carry on.

SCompRacer

I dunno, Tony, want to hook up and try a modded tube output DAC? I have a Music Hall 25.3 with Burson HD op amps and Mundorf coupling caps for the op amps and tube out. The balanced out is direct, no coupling caps. The mods made a huge improvement to both the tube and balanced out. It already had some nice caps in it so I left them as is.

It's the least I can do since I took part in taking your thread kinda off topic.:cheesygrin:

SCompRacer

Keiko wrote: »

It's PC based and meza no like Windows, Rich. I'm a Mac fanboy. :twisted:

Got ya. I had a MAC once....long time ago. Before Bill...uh, borrowed the GUI.:cheesygrin: You'd have to check with Logitech to see if they play with MAC nice.

falconcry72

Keiko wrote: »

...I'm a Mac fanboy. :twisted:

gross.:evil::razz:

tonyb

SCompRacer wrote: »

I dunno, Tony, want to hook up and try a modded tube output DAC? I have a Music Hall 25.3 with Burson HD op amps and Mundorf coupling caps for the op amps and tube out. The balanced out is direct, no coupling caps. The mods made a huge improvement to both the tube and balanced out. It already had some nice caps in it so I left them as is.

It's the least I can do since I took part in taking your thread kinda off topic.:cheesygrin:

No you didn't Rich, anything to benefit digital playback is relevant and there are many avenues one can go down.

Steve....stop being a wuss and jump in the game. The SB Touch-Sonos systems are so plug and play you'll crap your pants. Not to mention the frickin' big grin on your face when you don't have to get up to swap out cd's. I fought it for along time too. For me though, it's matching up the right gear to get the sound I want. Won't settle for less for critical listening, casual is another story.

Any other tips, little things you guys have come across ? Settings in your music players ?

Rich, thanks for the offer, but looks like your dac is in use, can't leave ya empty handed bro. Are your hi-rez downloads above 24/96 ? You like them better ? Heard a few higher rez tracks and wasn't that impressed over 24/96. Then again, everything matters and who knows how they were copied, downloaded.

falconcry72

Keiko wrote: »

You know you love me.

...only for your pie...:biggrin:

heiney9

tonyb wrote: »

Any other tips, little things you guys have come across ? Settings in your music players ?.

Stop using Apple to rip your files. Why would you want to "compress" a file to get rid of digital glare? Digital glare is usually from the hardware not software unless the ripped file quality suffers because you don't use the proper software.

dBPower Amp and FLAC make bit perfect copies, no glare from the software (FLAC file).

H9

heiney9

I don't have any digital glare in any of my rigs. Why do you equate glare with only ripped files on a computer. Ever heard a cheap cdp playing a cd..........yuck!

My computer based office rig is simple and uses inexpensive gear and still no glare.

H9

P.s. Did I mention STOP using i-Tunes and Apple mp4's, that's 95% of your issue right there

SCompRacer

Tony, for part of the day I mean. Like I'd bring it with and take it back.:cheesygrin:

I have downloaded some hi-res, but don't want to pay what I consider the high price they are asking for them. When I do vinyl to digital rips, I record them in 24/96. It does make a difference. Upsampling is also user selectable to either 96kHz or 192kHz with the MH DAC, which helps on some recordings.

I could also bring some hi-res vinyl rips along.

SCompRacer

heiney9 wrote: »

I don't have any digital glare in any of my rigs.

No you don't.

I dunno, I have no problem with critical listening of 'putie based digital here, at Brock's, Blakes, or Doug's place. I have a highly regarded (some folks say anyway) ModWright Sony 9100ES. High current very low distortion Class A tube output. A poor quality CD sounds as bad on it as a rip to flac. A good CD did sound better on the 9100ES until I modded the DAC. I guess it all depends on what you compare it to.

tonyb

heiney9 wrote: »

Stop using Apple to rip your files. Why would you want to "compress" a file to get rid of digital glare? Digital glare is usually from the hardware not software unless the ripped file quality suffers because you don't use the proper software.

dBPower Amp and FLAC make bit perfect copies, no glare from the software (FLAC file).

H9

Have been giving that alot of thought H9 and you are probably right. Though most say lossless is lossless, the process of which they are ripped is more important....so I am learning. Think I'll give it a whirl before throwing more coin down the rabbit hole. Start with the source....seems logical since we propose that theory on physical gear. Aside from ripping into db poweramp, are you using something like media monkey to play ? Thanks for the advice.

Rich, appreciate it pal, I'm going to take Brocks words of wisdom first and see where that puts me, will take a rain check on your offer if thats cool with you.

steveinaz

Disregard, replied in the wrong spot.

falconcry72

tonyb wrote: »

Have been giving that alot of thought H9 and you are probably right. Though most say lossless is lossless, the process of which they are ripped is more important....so I am learning. Think I'll give it a whirl before throwing more coin down the rabbit hole. Start with the source....seems logical since we propose that theory on physical gear. Aside from ripping into db poweramp, are you using something like media monkey to play ? Thanks for the advice.

Rich, appreciate it pal, I'm going to take Brocks words of wisdom first and see where that puts me, will take a rain check on your offer if thats cool with you.

See the first part of my first response:

- File Creation 1: File must be a bit-perfect representation of the original CD. This means is must be ripped to your computer using bit-perfect ripping software. I use EAC. (Exact Audio Copy)

- File Creation 2: file must be ripped to a lossless format. The lossless format you choose will not affect SQ. Lossless is lossless. Period. I mainly use FLAC. Others include WAV, SHN, ALAC, APE, etc.

- Playback: File must be played in a media player using a bit-perfect playback method; ie. WASAPI, Kernal Streaming, ASIO. I use Foobar 2000 and ASIO.

steveinaz

falconcry72 wrote: »

EAC is fast for me. Even in the most critical settings in accurate mode it only takes 3-4 minutes per disc, unless the're super dirty or scratched, but in that case you would want it to go slow, otherwise, with standard ripping software, you'd end up with an imperfect rip.

Man, you've got to help me out---EAC takes about 35 minutes per CD with me. My PC is a practically new ASUS laptop w/fast CPU and tons of RAM. My CD's are pristine...HELP

SCompRacer

Steve, some blurry hand held smart phone Squeeze app shots. The Controller is similar and gives you the + option of showing more info about the track (artists, resolution of the file).

heiney9

steveinaz wrote: »

Man, you've got to help me out---EAC takes about 35 minutes per CD with me. My PC is a practically new ASUS laptop. My CD's are pristine...HELP

just purchase dB Power amp and be done.

H9

falconcry72

steveinaz wrote: »

Man, you've got to help me out---EAC takes about 35 minutes per CD with me. My PC is a practically new ASUS laptop. My CD's are pristine...HELP

It may be an issue between your optical drive and EAC. My dad had the same problem, and his computer is newer than mine with more RAM etc. I was never able to figure his issue out, but I'm guessing it's a drive setting problem as opposed to a processor or memory deficiency problem.

Sorry, that wasn't much help!:redface:

dkg999

When I started to experiment with moving to server based storage and playback of digital files it seemed like many of the discussions online made things really complicated. Based on my research and the help of local RAS members it came down to:

1) You need some way to rip it, move it, and organize it - dbpoweramp and MediaMonkey and the FLAC format
2) You need some way to store it and not lose it - QNAP NAS with 4 TB of Raid5 storage
3) You need some way to retrieve it and play it - SB Touch with a decent DAC - wired is preferred over wireless IMHO

So debate away, but solve for those three and you're in the game! At what level you are in the game depends on how much research time you spend and what quality of gear you buy. For critical listening, my Jolida CDP with good tubes still holds a slight edge. If you have a 10" tablet then the SqueezeCommander remote app for the SB is just a little piece of heaven right in your lap.

YMMV.

heiney9

BTW, lossless is not lossless, but I don't want to get into a debate about it.

H9

SCompRacer

dkg999 wrote: »

2) You need some way to store it and not lose it

Very good point. I have way more vinyl than digital so for now I'm covered with a 1 TB internal drive with a 1 TB external drive for a backup. Fortunately I have an Esata port on my 'putie that saves a bunch of time over USB/firewire transfer.

I would not want to re-rip my digital.

EndersShadow

Steve here is a guide I used when ripping with dbpoweramp: http://www.dbpoweramp.com/cd-ripper-setup-guide.htm

This is how I did my conversion:

1.Download and Install dbpoweramp: http://www.dbpoweramp.com/cd-ripper.htm
2.Follow the CD Ripper Secure Ripping Setup Guide
3.Add Additional Codecs (WMA, m4a)
4.Install DSP Effects
5.Download and Install Media Monkey: http://www.mediamonkey.com/download/
6.Download these apps: Subsonic web-based Media Streamer, Jammix Enhancer
7.Start ripping :tongue


I documented my journey here lol: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?117400-Ripping-CD-s-to-FLAC/page2

steveinaz

Scomp/Enders

Thank you! Appreciate the effort. Looks pretty straight forward.

falconcry72

heiney9 wrote: »

BTW, lossless is not lossless, but I don't want to get into a debate about it.

H9

I know that different lossless codecs are capable of using different sample rates and numbers of bits per sample, ie, FLAC supports anywhere from 1hz to 655khz, whereas ALAC only supports 1hz-384khz sampling rates. Also, FLAC can support 8 bits per sample whereas ALAC cannot.

Also, different software or hardware may or may not support certain codecs.

Also, some lossless codecs are capable of achieving more compression than others, resulting in smaller files.


But for files in different lossless codecs, that are at the same sample rate, playing on the same compatible software, where size doesn't matter, I don't see how there could be any SQ difference.

Enlighten me please.:redface:

pearsall001

Nothing but high praises for my server system. I ripped all of my CD's to FLAC on dbPoweramp, stored on J. River Media to outboard NAS. Then straight to my Sonos ZP90>CA DacMagic via Black Cat Veloce digital cable>Yagin Tube Buffer (EAT ECC 88 tube)>NAD via Morrow Audio MA2 IC's>Rotel RMB-1095 amp>KEF Q900 speakers via Morrow Audio SP2 Bi-Wired cables...stunningly good music on all accounts. I'd never consider moving backwords to another disc spinner. No thank you.

steveinaz

Where do we get album art for ripped CD's?

heiney9

steveinaz wrote: »

Where do we get album art for ripped CD's?

dBpower amp uses the internet (FreedB database) to "tag" the artwork and make it part of the metadata or ID3 tag embedded in the ripped file all digital players then decode upon playback. It's done automatically and ID3 tags are universal. Meaning anytime you play that digital file, whether on your computer (doesn't matter which software), phone, car, iPod, Zune, etc that information is always embedded. It's like a "watermark" that all programs can decode regardless of what was used to rip the file.

Since iTunes is grossly proprietary, it may vary for Apple files or playing non-iTune files on Apple based products.

H9

pearsall001

heiney9 wrote: »

dBpower amp uses the internet (FreedB database) to "tag" the artwork and make it part of the metadata or ID3 tag embedded in the ripped file all digital players then decode upon playback. It's done automatically and ID3 tags are universal. Meaning anytime you play that digital file, whether on your computer (doesn't matter which software), phone, car, iPod, Zune, etc that information is always embedded. It's like a "watermark" that all programs can decode regardless of what was used to rip the file.

Since iTunes is grossly proprietary, it may vary for Apple files or playing non-iTune files on Apple based products.

H9

Right on target Brock, the second you load a disc to be ripped on dBpoweramp the cover art pops up (multiple covers to choose from on most CD's). Works like a charm.