Digital / Computer Audio Starter Guide

drgalexo

Thanks doctorcilantro, I am a bit confused however, my preamp has a builtin DAC, it's a Mcintosh C50, will I get an improvement using Asio and is that a download or do I need to upgrade my computer? Sorry but I'm kind of new to the digital audio.

drgalexo

Downloaded Asio4all, completely reconfigured my laptop, I had to pay $75.00 to get back all my files. I'm thinking of a dedicated music server, any suggestions? I don't need a DAC as one is built in to my preamp. I looking for something without a fan so as to not introduce any noise. Perhaps all I need is something to get music from my computer which is in another room to my preamp., maybe wireless like a sonos. Anybody have any suggestions?
Gary

drgalexo

Downloaded Asio4all, completely reconfigured my laptop, I had to pay $75.00 to get back all my files. I'm thinking of a dedicated music server, any suggestions? I don't need a DAC as one is built in to my preamp. I looking for something without a fan so as to not introduce any noise. Perhaps all I need is something to get music from my computer which is in another room to my preamp., maybe wireless like a sonos. Anybody have any suggestions?
Gary

AsSiMiLaTeD

We've been seeing more and more questions from people wanting to get started in digital audio lately, so figured I'd bump this as a refresher.

Cuchulain

drgalexo wrote: »

Downloaded Asio4all, completely reconfigured my laptop, I had to pay $75.00 to get back all my files. I'm thinking of a dedicated music server, any suggestions? I don't need a DAC as one is built in to my preamp. I looking for something without a fan so as to not introduce any noise. Perhaps all I need is something to get music from my computer which is in another room to my preamp., maybe wireless like a sonos. Anybody have any suggestions?
Gary

I understand this is a year ago but since this thread has been bumped up I thought I'd throw in this piece I came across lately when looking for the same thing. This NAD M50 Digital Music Player, NAD M52 Digital Music Vault seems to be exactly what I'm looking for. A little pricey though. HDMI right to your receiver.



Support for 24/96 and 24/192 Studio Master audio
Plays Digital Music from Both Network and Compact Disc
Wireless (Wi-Fi) and Ethernet Inputs
Automatic Ripping of CD to M52 Digital Music Vault
Real Time Playback of CDs
Decodes FLAC, ALAC, MP3, WMA, AAC, Ogg
SPDIF Outputs; AES/EBU, Coaxial, Optical
HDMI Output
USB Output (Mass Storage Mode)
USB Inputs, 1 Front (Host), 1 Rear (Device)
RS-232 for External Control
IR In/Out
12V Trigger In/Out
IR Remote Control
4 Line Graphic VFD Display
Software Defined Product with Upgrade Path
<1W Standby Power Consumption

Processing Power to Support Years of Future Software Upgrades

AMX Cortec A8

Designed for Lowest Jitter for Best Audio Performance

Universal low noise power supply with separate regulation for the critical digital audio circuit

Fully Asynchronous Audio Playback from All Media Sources

CD-Rip, Traditional CD-Playback, WiFi, Ethernet, USB HDDs & Sticks

No Fans!!

On3s&amp;Z3r0s

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

That depends really on the card. I've found that the quality of the spdif output on sound cards varies greatly. Some still allow a great deal of jitter to get through while others perform fairly well. I found a good USB Dac or USB to spdif converter in front of a DAC both performed better when compared to the spdif output on even my expensive Asus Xonar card.

True pearl of wisdom here. I've convinced myself that jitter is the silent killer of audio quality. I've done SPDIF (optical) out from my PC to a $1000 Benchmark DAC and had it sound muddy (whatever people say about the Benchmarks, they don't say muddy) compared to the same PC and source material connected via USB to a $150 HRT Music Streamer II. Even a good DAC can't undo what your computer has mucked up.

When it comes to digital audio I think the wave of the future is DACs that work from asynchronous USB or HDMI instead of SPDIF. And one that does DSD will probably position you well on the cutting edge of audiophile geekery.

StantonZ

DSkip wrote: »

The wave of the future is streaming brother.

How does that satisfy those who want/need to play their own source material? I for one have a huge media library that I either won't (or can't) duplicate.

txcoastal1

StantonZ wrote: »

How does that satisfy those who want/need to play their own source material? I for one have a huge media library that I either won't (or can't) duplicate.

He is including streaming from home media library

VCoak

Thank you for reposting.

I am in the learning phase of going all digital and have many questions that have been answered just by reading these posts. And big thanks to all the CP'ers who have taken the time to answer my pm's.

mco

On3s&amp;Z3r0s

DSkip wrote: »

The wave of the future is streaming brother.

LOL... you mean like the Squeezebox Touch? Funny how they already stopped selling the wave of the future a couple years ago.

J/K. I don't disagree, and I assume you mean streaming over Ethernet/wifi. It's cool to see folks like Oppo playing with that. Someone will get it figured out soon enough in a package that sounds good and has decent usability. Until then I can stream from my media server to my laptop if I want, which plugs into my DAC with a good ol USB.

Pycroft

Okay, I feel like an idiot with this question

I have it all setup (I think). I have a laptop. I have been ripping CD's using EAC to lossless wave audio. I have media monkey (The free version) to play it. Today, finally, I grabbed a cord that is one side a USB to go from my computer into the other side (more squarish and smaller) to go into my integrated - Musical Fidelity M6I with a built in DAC. I plugged it in, put it on the 'USB' input on the amp, went to media monkey, hit play, and it was SO SOFT. The volume was to 100% on the computer, and I had to jack it to 12:00 (As if on a clock) to even get a sound. If I put it there with my CD player, I'd make my wife cry it would be so loud.

Is there something I'm missing?

James

tonyb

Did you set the volume when you burned the cd's into the computer ?

tonyb

OOPS....double post.

Pycroft

Tony,

I got it working after a while. It seemed that I had the integrated amp on, then plugged the computer in, and it didn't work. Out of frustration I unplugged, turned the machine off and ripped some more. Then, with the amp off, I plugged the computer in, and then turned the amp on and it worked. I was told it may have taken some time for the computer to get the necessary drivers etc. that it needed to play. I only had a chance to listen for a few minutes befroe bed, but it sounded quite good. I haven't been able to do a direct comparison with the CD player yet.

Thanks,

James

doctorcilantro

DSkip wrote: »

The wave of the future is streaming brother.

Depending out which country you live in...depending on Internet access. Unlimited Internet streaming does not exist. These Telecoms are so damn cheap, and are not meeting bandwidth needs. Where I live Unlimited means 2GB per day max.

Also, look at MOG.

I'd rather put my time into tagging my own archives of FLAC and SACD ISO, rather than have to depend on a company to provide me a service to which I am bound by a service agreement, which could end at any time...