PC as a transport, starting out questions
strider
Posts: 2,568
After concentrating on analog the past couple years, lately I've found myself enjoying the availability and convenience of digital once again. The amount of music I can stream or download of the 'net from sources like archive.org has gotten me interested in using my PC as a transport. Doing some research, I hear people saying it can be a "world class transport" if done correctly. While I don't know (yet, at least) if I would go quite that far, I do feel that it's something I could get to sound pretty good, for a realistic amount of money, and accomplish in steps so it's more palettable financially.
Currently my audio system consists of a Sony SCD-C555ES CD/SACD changer, a Trends TA-10.1 integrated amp, a Bugle phono pre, and a Debut III turntable. My speakers are DIY single drivers. I've got a passive buffer based pre amp, similar to the Pass B1, getting delivered this afternoon. The PC would be replacing the Sony if things go as I plan, I understand I won't be have the ability to play SACD anymore.
My computer is a Sony VAIO running XP, ~ 1 gig of RAM, ~100 gig HD.
I'd like to do this a step at a time. My assumptions based on my research so far:
I can use my PC both to stream music through and play my CD collection off my current hard drive after I've burned them to it.
Foobar would be the program I'd use on the computer as my music player; I'd use it instead of Windows Media Player or iTunes. It's free, can decode most of the preferred formats (FLAC being best?), and bypasses the nasty stuff Windows may add that would alter the SQ.
I'd output the signal from the PC using a USB cable to an external DAC. I've had my eye on the Peter Daniels/Audio Sector USB kit. It's gotten some good press and can be had for about $300. Obviously going from the DAC to my pre, just like my CD player's hooked up.
Does my idea make sense in terms of functioning like I expect? I'd think that my next purchase would be an external HD as the internal one will fill up pretty quickly burning discs in lossless formats.
Anything I'm missing? Comments?
Thanks,
Ben
Currently my audio system consists of a Sony SCD-C555ES CD/SACD changer, a Trends TA-10.1 integrated amp, a Bugle phono pre, and a Debut III turntable. My speakers are DIY single drivers. I've got a passive buffer based pre amp, similar to the Pass B1, getting delivered this afternoon. The PC would be replacing the Sony if things go as I plan, I understand I won't be have the ability to play SACD anymore.
My computer is a Sony VAIO running XP, ~ 1 gig of RAM, ~100 gig HD.
I'd like to do this a step at a time. My assumptions based on my research so far:
I can use my PC both to stream music through and play my CD collection off my current hard drive after I've burned them to it.
Foobar would be the program I'd use on the computer as my music player; I'd use it instead of Windows Media Player or iTunes. It's free, can decode most of the preferred formats (FLAC being best?), and bypasses the nasty stuff Windows may add that would alter the SQ.
I'd output the signal from the PC using a USB cable to an external DAC. I've had my eye on the Peter Daniels/Audio Sector USB kit. It's gotten some good press and can be had for about $300. Obviously going from the DAC to my pre, just like my CD player's hooked up.
Does my idea make sense in terms of functioning like I expect? I'd think that my next purchase would be an external HD as the internal one will fill up pretty quickly burning discs in lossless formats.
Anything I'm missing? Comments?
Thanks,
Ben
Wristwatch--->Crisco
Post edited by strider on
Comments
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After concentrating on analog the past couple years, lately I've found myself enjoying the availability and convenience of digital once again. The amount of music I can stream or download of the 'net from sources like archive.org has gotten me interested in using my PC as a transport. Doing some research, I hear people saying it can be a "world class transport" if done correctly. While I don't know (yet, at least) if I would go quite that far, I do feel that it's something I could get to sound pretty good, for a realistic amount of money, and accomplish in steps so it's more palettable financially.
Currently my audio system consists of a Sony SCD-C555ES CD/SACD changer, a Trends TA-10.1 integrated amp, a Bugle phono pre, and a Debut III turntable. My speakers are DIY single drivers. I've got a passive buffer based pre amp, similar to the Pass B1, getting delivered this afternoon. The PC would be replacing the Sony if things go as I plan, I understand I won't be have the ability to play SACD anymore.
My computer is a Sony VAIO running XP, ~ 1 gig of RAM, ~100 gig HD.
I'd like to do this a step at a time. My assumptions based on my research so far:
I can use my PC both to stream music through and play my CD collection off my current hard drive after I've burned them to it.
Foobar would be the program I'd use on the computer as my music player; I'd use it instead of Windows Media Player or iTunes. It's free, can decode most of the preferred formats (FLAC being best?), and bypasses the nasty stuff Windows may add that would alter the SQ.
I'd output the signal from the PC using a USB cable to an external DAC. I've had my eye on the Peter Daniels/Audio Sector USB kit. It's gotten some good press and can be had for about $300. Obviously going from the DAC to my pre, just like my CD player's hooked up.
Does my idea make sense in terms of functioning like I expect? I'd think that my next purchase would be an external HD as the internal one will fill up pretty quickly burning discs in lossless formats.
Anything I'm missing? Comments?
Thanks,
Ben
Make sure to pick a compression format. I use FLAC, but there's others out there.
Read up on Tagging, since that will trip you up bigtime.
Decide to use or not use replay gain. An average cd has about 500mb of
data on it. Compressed, figure about 300mb per cd.
Sounds like you're on the right track. I dedicated a machine just for this task.
USB output can sometimes waver a bit, so I configured the machine to
prioritize music playback. The web has some good info on this.
Good luck!"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
Foobar doesn't bypass kmixer right off the bat. You need to make some adjustments and its best to use a asio like ASIO4ALL for output. Should be able to do it by going to the sound properties and selecting hardware tab. Select your USB audio device and go the properties tab. Then expand the audio devices section, and double click on "USB Audio Device" then click on "Do not map through this device" and "Do not use audio features". Should be good to go.
Other things to consider, turn of the system noises, as they can get annoying and surprisingly loud sometimes. Also, for ripping there are lots of programs, IMO EAC is the best.
I like your choice in DAC, the PD is a very solid unit. I had their coax version and loved it. You may want to consider a squeezebox more for functionality then anything else. It is less of a hassle then using the PC and you don't need the PC nearby.
For what its worth I thought my current USB Monica DAC and the PD I had were equals, while my Red Wine Audio modded SB3 beat both. If you can find RWA modded SB3 or Bolder they should = or be > then the PD. Just food for thought. -
sucks2beme wrote: »Make sure to pick a compression format. I use FLAC, but there's others out there.
Read up on Tagging, since that will trip you up bigtime.
Decide to use or not use replay gain. An average cd has about 500mb of
data on it. Compressed, figure about 300mb per cd.
Sounds like you're on the right track. I dedicated a machine just for this task.
USB output can sometimes waver a bit, so I configured the machine to
prioritize music playback. The web has some good info on this.
Good luck!
I read about taggin a little, check me to make sure I'm right, if you don't mind....Tagging is the way that the tracks get catagorized when they downloaded into the computer, right? The way that they get tagged can make it really hard to find the track and could also let the computer download the same song mulitple times?
Replay gain is the computer adding gain to the signal leaving it? It's probably better to not use it, correct?
From what I'd read, I thought USB was the way to go, is that not the case?
Believe it or not, I have been trying to learn this stuff. Seems like there's always a different "right way" to do it, depending on where you read. I'd been so into the analog stuff that the computer based music is pretty much completely foreign to me; I can tell you what VTA is though!Wristwatch--->Crisco -
Ben:
You're on the right track overall. I would make sure to use lossless file compression, any type of lossy compression will strip out bits of the music degrading the sound.
Secondly, computer power supply units can add noise as well as pass through noise from a wall receptacle. Do some sound checking/comparing, if need be upgrade your power cord and possible purchase PS Audio Duet or some other filter.Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
Former Staff Member TONEAudio
2 Ch. System
Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3 -
Or use a player designed designed and developed for high fidelity.
RT1 -
.....
I like your choice in DAC, the PD is a very solid unit. I had their coax version and loved it. You may want to consider a squeezebox more for functionality then anything else. It is less of a hassle then using the PC and you don't need the PC nearby.
For what its worth I thought my current USB Monica DAC and the PD I had were equals, while my Red Wine Audio modded SB3 beat both. If you can find RWA modded SB3 or Bolder they should = or be > then the PD. Just food for thought.
I'd looked at the Squeezebox, but there were a couple of things that I wasn't sure about it, maybe you could help me figure them out...If I were to use a Squeezebox, I'd still use the PC as my storage site, but instead of using Foobar the Squeezebox would be the interface? One of the things that I'd really like to be able to do is stream 'Dead shows from the site archive.org; using the Squeezebox, the only way I'd be able to stream off that site is if it was one of the sites that they'd partnered with, I think. With cost being a concern for me, I'd have to buy the SB for now, and live with it doing the D/A conversion 'til I could get the DAC. Wouldn't that be a noticeable step down in SQ vs a stand alone CD player like I'm using now?
This kinda spawns another question: If I were to go the route that I'm thinking of right now, with the PC as the source et al, would that preclude me from adding an SB or a Duet later? For example, let's say I had the DAC connected via USB, I couldn't simultaneously have an output signal via ethernet cable to either a wireless router or directly into the SB?Wristwatch--->Crisco -
reeltrouble1 wrote: »Or use a player designed designed and developed for high fidelity.
RT1
Yeah, I know. Since your in the anti-PC camp so to speak, where would I go from here? I know there are a couple of guys on the forum that have the same player as mine with mods done by SACDmods.com. IIRC they're close to if not at the $700 mark. Too rich for my blood. Sell my player for $400 or so, throw in another $200, I'd be buying a unit that, albeit newer, would be similar in performance to what I have now.
I'd still have the ability to listen to SACD which, while offering extreme fidelity, is somewhat limited by software.
C'mon Ted, you've got way more experience and knowledge then I do, lay some of it on me.
Wristwatch--->Crisco -
One of the things that I'd really like to be able to do is stream 'Dead shows from the site archive.org;
Can you find them as bittorrents as well? For the same price as SqueezeBox you could get a PS3. With Vuze and/or TVersity on your PC, you could do quite a few things with it. The only downside vs. SB is that you would have to have your display on whenever you play music as there are no LCD displays on the PS3.
Back to PC as a transport, yes, you can make it sound as good as any other digital output. If you're considering playing songs in shuffle mode (different albums), you should consider using replay gain. If you play one album at a time and don't use playlists, then don't.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replay_Gain
http://www.vuze.com/app -
Forgot to mention, take a look at MediaMonkey for playback.
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I read about taggin a little, check me to make sure I'm right, if you don't mind....Tagging is the way that the tracks get catagorized when they downloaded into the computer, right? The way that they get tagged can make it really hard to find the track and could also let the computer download the same song mulitple times?
Yes. The issue with tagging is some programs don't do it, or do it improperly. Depending on how you arrange your music this could cause issues. For example Foobar can sort your music by Artist, taking the info from the tag. If the artist was wrong, it would make things more difficult.
This is another reason I like EAC. It automatically does the tagging for you. I have only had 2-3 cds which it didn't know, all of which were very small regional bands.Secondly, computer power supply units can add noise as well as pass through noise from a wall receptacle. Do some sound checking/comparing, if need be upgrade your power cord and possible purchase PS Audio Duet or some other filter.
This is a good point. I personally had some noise with my pc rig, which was remedied with conditioning. I use a PS Audio Duet, and a UPC-200 worked as well to remove this noise.I'd looked at the Squeezebox, but there were a couple of things that I wasn't sure about it, maybe you could help me figure them out...If I were to use a Squeezebox, I'd still use the PC as my storage site, but instead of using Foobar the Squeezebox would be the interface? One of the things that I'd really like to be able to do is stream 'Dead shows from the site archive.org; using the Squeezebox, the only way I'd be able to stream off that site is if it was one of the sites that they'd partnered with, I think. With cost being a concern for me, I'd have to buy the SB for now, and live with it doing the D/A conversion 'til I could get the DAC. Wouldn't that be a noticeable step down in SQ vs a stand alone CD player like I'm using now?
This kinda spawns another question: If I were to go the route that I'm thinking of right now, with the PC as the source et al, would that preclude me from adding an SB or a Duet later? For example, let's say I had the DAC connected via USB, I couldn't simultaneously have an output signal via ethernet cable to either a wireless router or directly into the SB?
Yes you would keep all the music on your computer, and it would stream to your squeezebox, using that interface. It uses the same tags as foobar would, and you can go through your music using the folder structure, by artist, by album, etc.
Unsure on streaming music, never done it before, I just listen to what I have.
As for sound quality, a basic SB3 is decent, but nothing special. Your current CDP will probably sound better. A modded SB3 however is a totally different animal all together. You could do this or get a separate DAC, but then your talking $ since you need the SB3+DAC. If you can have the PC in the same room and fan/digital noise is not a issue, that would be the better/cheaper route.
For the next question, yes you can. I am currently listening to music on my PC rig via USB DAC, at the same time I have a squeezebox playing another song in another room. The software for a squeezebox works autonomously, so you can play music on the pc while it does its thing and plays music elsewhere.
P.S. If you go the Foobar/PC route do a little research on ASIOs and Secret Rabbit Code -
Ben you're on the right track. I just recently bought a Squeezebox and have it set-up but the ripping of all my music is time consuming.
You would use the interface from Sqeezebox to use the Squeezebox and you could use Foobar (I use Media Monkey) for your computer, unless you get another SQ for your computer. And yes the SQ dac's are subpar. I run mine thru an external DAC. I also run my computer sound card in the office rig thru a seperate DAC.
Frankly, IMO, if you are not going to do a seperate DAC soon or at all, forget the 'media' center as soundcard DAC's and the SQ Box DAC's aren't really all that great. In fact to me they are borer line unlistenable in some instances.
Media Monkey is 99% free and is the current program/organizer I've been using. It's very powerful, easy to use and pretty thorough. Check out their website and the "free" version is about 98% complete as far as features and functions.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
I read about taggin a little, check me to make sure I'm right, if you don't mind....Tagging is the way that the tracks get catagorized when they downloaded into the computer, right? The way that they get tagged can make it really hard to find the track and could also let the computer download the same song mulitple times?
Replay gain is the computer adding gain to the signal leaving it? It's probably better to not use it, correct?
From what I'd read, I thought USB was the way to go, is that not the case?
Believe it or not, I have been trying to learn this stuff. Seems like there's always a different "right way" to do it, depending on where you read. I'd been so into the analog stuff that the computer based music is pretty much completely foreign to me; I can tell you what VTA is though!
Replay gain can add OR reduce gain. And programs handle it differently.
My understanding is FLAC uses the tag info for this funtion. I have it off on
the media pc, but I have just put a bunch of flac files and foobar on my
scratch laptop to play around to see it's effects.
I made a mistake with a tagging change, and all my files scattered randomly.
I'll leave tagging explaination alone. I'm a knuckle dragging hack.
Please read carfully, and play around with a couple of cds, including a
"collection of artists" type. Don't wait to get fully loaded!
I do back up to an external drive to prevent whoops from being a disaster."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
Ciao Guys and Gals
I am an oldster....no cell phone and NO itunes or mp3 player. I use my pc to store a lot of converted cds ....some lossless (flac) and some just mp3's. I have a Chaintech AV701 audio card. I use the optical out jack and send it by way of a monoprice premium cable to a MSB Link III DAC. I also use a Sony DVP-S7700 dvd/cd player as a transport and send that to the Link III by means of a coax cable. Realizing this equipment is getting old......what am I missing using it....compared to newer technology.
I use Albumplayer with asio drivers as a source player on pc. Great player if you store ALBUMS. -
The Chaintech av710 card ($25) has a tweak to send 2 channel to OUTPUT via digital port.
For Audio equipment the Link III Dac goes into a B&K Pro-10mc preamp and fed to either B&K ST140 amp or a NAD 2600a amp. Speakers are ...Klipsch Forte II's or Polk SDA-crs's.
Interconnects are Mit 2 or 3's. using Kimber Kables 4tc for speakers.
...the run of optical from pc 2 DAC and audio equipment is 25'.....doesn't seem to pick up any noise.
My electric panel is right below (basement) my audio equipment. 10' to outlet from panel. Used a Panamax 1000 till it died but it didn't seem to make a difference.
Sounds great to my OLE ears. Took the hearing test that's on the net and have hearing lose down to 10K in one ear.
...Any recommendations for improvement? -
Ben you're on the right track. I just recently bought a Squeezebox and have it set-up but the ripping of all my music is time consuming.
You would use the interface from Sqeezebox to use the Squeezebox and you could use Foobar (I use Media Monkey) for your computer, unless you get another SQ for your computer. And yes the SQ dac's are subpar. I run mine thru an external DAC. I also run my computer sound card in the office rig thru a seperate DAC.
Frankly, IMO, if you are not going to do a seperate DAC soon or at all, forget the 'media' center as soundcard DAC's and the SQ Box DAC's aren't really all that great. In fact to me they are borer line unlistenable in some instances.
Media Monkey is 99% free and is the current program/organizer I've been using. It's very powerful, easy to use and pretty thorough. Check out their website and the "free" version is about 98% complete as far as features and functions.
H9
I was hoping you'd see this.
I don't think I could live without the DAC and be happy. My system as it stands now is ridiculously revealing. When I set up my turntable I had a different pre/amp/speaker combination altogether and I loved the way it sounded. When I hooked up the TT to my current config it was all I could do to listen to an album. Turns out the tracking force on the cartridge was off about .4 grams; the combo of the single drivers and the Trends amp made it show quite readily.Wristwatch--->Crisco -
C'mon Ted, you've got way more experience and knowledge then I do, lay some of it on me.
Do your PC thing, then I would save my coins for a Denon 2900/3910 and do the established Mod, you will have an outstanding machine, but its going to be more than you want to spend right now. Its either something like that or drop major coins as in several large on a source, take at look at Raife, F1, JanMike and others here and what they use for source for hi-fi gear, there is a reason, as always budgets are individual things, just get the best you can.
The bottom line is if you want that little extra 3-5% you pay a premium, but the magic is in that little extra. Not my words really ask MadMax about that and his experiences particularily with a modded 3960 going head to head with a high dollar machine at Jesse's. I have pretty much given up on the so called giant killers, especially after owning one.
Nothing wrong though with someone doing the PC path for a bit, its still audio and sometimes you just have to do something, but I am sure as heck not the one to ask about PC audio. You might do that for your SACD and then for 4-500 pick up one of the great redbook CD players on the used market, get a player with a fully balanced circuit I have Consanance Opera CD-120 I rarely talk about, but it is outstanding for redbook discs, although no tubes, bummer, but the thing is designed from the get go to play music, to me this is the key.
RT1 -
That's exactly what I'm looking at; having to make a significant leap in the level of my equipment in order to make an audible improvement of any magnitude. Just can't do it right now. I'm happy with my system right now, there's no particular area I'm wanting to improve, but I'd just like to try something different. I can read reviews and forum posts 'til I pass out, but getting something new to listen to is one of the things that makes this fun for me. Even if it's not the next step up in SQ.
Lately I've been so into the equipment that I haven't been listening to the music. Unconsciously I rotate through a handful of albums and discs that sound good. I need to break out of that rut and get back to what got me interested in audio equipment in the first place, hearing and enjoying new music. There's so much music that I'm into available for download, from free sites like archive.org to pay sites from bands and record labels doing high quality downloads of otherwise unreleased material.
If I'm wrong, and the PC thing ends up driving me nuts, I'll just end up with a boatload of new music for a pretty small investment. I'll have a DAC I can resell and maybe even break even, dump that money into a big boy turntable and really start worrying about equipment.Wristwatch--->Crisco -
I don't know anything about PC as source but you might also want to PM Sean (ZERO). I know he's been working on PC source for a long time now.
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After listening to everyone's input and following the links posted, I'm pretty set on going this route.
Are there any other USB DACs in the ~$300 range that I should consider?
Looked at the VALAB a bit, read that the USB input isn't quite up to par compared to it's digital (Toslink?) in.
Scott Nixon has some, but it I had a difficult time telling which one is which from his website. Worth looking into further?
Blue Circle "Thingy" is cheap, available with USB, Toslink, coax inputs and balanced outs. Almost too inexpensive, though. Only press I saw on it was from a site that had ads for Blue Circle all over it. A thread at Head-fi, too.
Trends makes one as well, but I haven't come across any reviews of it.
Missing any?
Any input?Wristwatch--->Crisco -
DacMagic: http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=320
If you increase your budget, a CDP with digital inputs: http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=112&Title=Azur+840C+Black+Fin+DSP+upsampling+CD+player"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
The 840c looks pretty interesting, but blows my budget out of the water.
I've read a bit about the DacMagic, but honestly had dismissed it because it was an oversampling unit. Do you have an opinion on the sound of an NOS vs an oversampling DAC? I've heard neither, but from reading other's comments, it seemed to me that an NOS unit would fit me a bit better. I got the impression that an oversampling unit would sound a bit more processed and have a bit of a harshness to it. I've been trying to have a very simple signal path for my system, with as few gain stages and components in it as possible. Of course, introducing a computer into it may be counterintuitive, but I'm hoping it won't mess with the synergy I've got currently.Wristwatch--->Crisco -
I know you can disable the oversampling on the 840C, but I don't have a clue about the DacMagic.The 840c looks pretty interesting, but blows my budget out of the water.
I've read a bit about the DacMagic, but honestly had dismissed it because it was an oversampling unit. Do you have an opinion on the sound of an NOS vs an oversampling DAC? I've heard neither, but from reading other's comments, it seemed to me that an NOS unit would fit me a bit better. I got the impression that an oversampling unit would sound a bit more processed and have a bit of a harshness to it. I've been trying to have a very simple signal path for my system, with as few gain stages and components in it as possible. Of course, introducing a computer into it may be counterintuitive, but I'm hoping it won't mess with the synergy I've got currently.
I don't believe the oversampling has a big influence on how either unit sounds. I had both a 540C and a 840C in my rig here and there wasn't a night and day difference. The 840C had better bass and sounded a little better overall, but they had very similar sonic signatures, and the 540C does not oversample. The DacMagic is based on the 740C and should sound very similar to the rest of the line.
I also wouldn't call either unit's sound harsh, I would lean more towards detailed and analytical.
As for your computer having it's own sound signature, it should but very subtle since it's only acting as a transport."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
After listening to everyone's input and following the links posted, I'm pretty set on going this route.
Are there any other USB DACs in the ~$300 range that I should consider?
Looked at the VALAB a bit, read that the USB input isn't quite up to par compared to it's digital (Toslink?) in.
Scott Nixon has some, but it I had a difficult time telling which one is which from his website. Worth looking into further?
Blue Circle "Thingy" is cheap, available with USB, Toslink, coax inputs and balanced outs. Almost too inexpensive, though. Only press I saw on it was from a site that had ads for Blue Circle all over it. A thread at Head-fi, too.
Trends makes one as well, but I haven't come across any reviews of it.
Missing any?
Any input?
Other NOS DACs to consider include the Promitheus Audio which you can get with USB, MHDT Constantine/Paradisea, and DIY Paradise USB Monica. Promitheus go for ~$400, Constantine you should be able to get for $300, Paradisea for $400, and USB Monica for <$300.
If you mean the Trends UD-10 don't bother, not much better then a sound card.
IMO the Audio Sector DAC should be pretty stellar, speaking from my personal experience with the coax version. -
Six months later and I'm finally making progress, but it took both my main CDP and back up unit taking a dump for it to happen. The part to repair my Sony SCD-C555ES went on backorder to boot.
I've got a Pacific Valve Fathom on the way. It's an NOS unit, USB input, with the same chip (TDA1543) as the PD but uses eight of them instead of the one. It also has coaxial and Toslink inputs.
Now I've gotta get back on the ol' research horse and figure out exactly what program I want to use as my interface. Anything new happen WRT Foobar and Media Monkey recently?
I think Im leaning towards EAC as it does the tagging automatically.Wristwatch--->Crisco -
Six months later and I'm finally making progress, but it took both my main CDP and back up unit taking a dump for it to happen. The part to repair my Sony SCD-C555ES went on backorder to boot.
I've got a Pacific Valve Fathom on the way. It's an NOS unit, USB input, with the same chip (TDA1543) as the PD but uses eight of them instead of the one. It also has coaxial and Toslink inputs.
Now I've gotta get back on the ol' research horse and figure out exactly what program I want to use as my interface. Anything new happen WRT Foobar and Media Monkey recently?
I think Im leaning towards EAC as it does the tagging automatically.
EAC it the only way to fly. I've only had one local artist cd not found
in the database. And the AM Ramblers aren't likely to go nationwide anytime soon!:D"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
I'm interested in this as well (using pc as a source) and just bought a $500 dell laptop as a dedicated music source. Will be using with a usb dac. My main wonder about the people doing this is WHY compress the music files? Certainly at less than $100 for a terabyte of hardrive space price is no reason. I guess if you wanted to load to a portable device there would be good reason to minimize the size.
madmax
BTW, here is a link to the laptop. It is killer looking and more than needed but for $500 its a great deal. http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=4545452&sku=G180-14101&SRCCODE=COMEM282C&cm_mmc=EML-_-Main-_-COMEM282-_-gwayLaptopVinyl, the final frontier...
Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want...
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I have been using the beta Windows 7 for my media center. I have the media center remote so it makes life much easier. I was surprised how much the sound card makes a difference on the digital out. So far I am pretty content. I am still working out a few bugs seeing I just changed OS's.
Ben
Edit: MM I am using lossless. It doesn't compress it. I think it just strips out some of the data.Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben -
I'd looked at the Squeezebox, but there were a couple of things that I wasn't sure about it, maybe you could help me figure them out...If I were to use a Squeezebox, I'd still use the PC as my storage site, but instead of using Foobar the Squeezebox would be the interface? One of the things that I'd really like to be able to do is stream 'Dead shows from the site archive.org; using the Squeezebox, the only way I'd be able to stream off that site is if it was one of the sites that they'd partnered with, I think. With cost being a concern for me, I'd have to buy the SB for now, and live with it doing the D/A conversion 'til I could get the DAC. Wouldn't that be a noticeable step down in SQ vs a stand alone CD player like I'm using now?
This kinda spawns another question: If I were to go the route that I'm thinking of right now, with the PC as the source et al, would that preclude me from adding an SB or a Duet later? For example, let's say I had the DAC connected via USB, I couldn't simultaneously have an output signal via ethernet cable to either a wireless router or directly into the SB?
Maybe you already have the answer to this question.....SQbox has it's own internet based interphase. You can stream from Archive.org, I do for Charlotte Martin shows.......as well as hundreds of internet radio stations, etc.
I use Media Monkey for tagging and organizing my music library mainly because in addition to using the SQbox for the main system I use Media Monkey to play my music thru the PC in the office rig.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
I'm interested in this as well (using pc as a source) and just bought a $500 dell laptop as a dedicated music source. Will be using with a usb dac. My main wonder about the people doing this is WHY compress the music files? Certainly at less than $100 for a terabyte of hardrive space price is no reason. I guess if you wanted to load to a portable device there would be good reason to minimize the size.
madmax
BTW, here is a link to the laptop. It is killer looking and more than needed but for $500 its a great deal. http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=4545452&sku=G180-14101&SRCCODE=COMEM282C&cm_mmc=EML-_-Main-_-COMEM282-_-gwayLaptop
Media Monkey is a very powerful program for organizing, tagging and playing all types of music files on your PC. I swear by it!!!! You can even load cover art.
http://www.mediamonkey.com/
The free version is only missing a few things over the pay version.
H9
P.s. Media Monkey can convert FLAC files or WAV files to mp3 for use on a portable."Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
Maybe you already have the answer to this question.....SQbox has it's own internet based interphase. You can stream from Archive.org, I do for Charlotte Martin shows.......as well as hundreds of internet radio stations, etc.
I use Media Monkey for tagging and organizing my music library mainly because in addition to using the SQbox for the main system I use Media Monkey to play my music thru the PC in the office rig.
H9
Actually no, I didn't get that figured out. Good information; my plan as it stands now is to figure out what file type and program(s) to use and pick up a Duet later down the road. If I can get the main system (mine) up and running, then use the already burned audio files to use with the Duet and it's cool remote for the main system (especially the Atriums on the deck where we BBQ) I'll be a happy man.Wristwatch--->Crisco
