MacBook Pro as music server

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Sea
Sea Posts: 317
edited August 2014 in Going Digital
I have a MacBook pro with a 500gb HD that I am considering using as a music server. There is no music on it yet. I am looking for advice. Should I use iTunes or some other software to rip cd's? What are recommended options for DAC's. I know these are basic questions but I have read a good many threads here and am confused. I am very PC litterate but not so much with Apple software.
Main-Carver TFM35(2),Carver C11 ,Carver SD/A 360 CD,Carver TX11 ,Grace Digital Tuner, Pioneer PL707 TT,Polk SDA1C
Downstairs -Carver M1.5t, Carver C1 Pre, Carver TX10 Tuner, Carver TL3200 CD Player, Dual 1009 TT,Polk SDA SRS 2.3tl
Study - Carver AV634 Amp, Carver CT7 Pre, Carver DTL50 CD Player, Polk RTA12c
Post edited by Sea on
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,722
    edited August 2014
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    I'd start with the Digital / Computer Audio Starter Guide. It's a good intro and should get you started, if you have any questions post them here and we'll answer.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?134589-Digital-Computer-Audio-Starter-Guide
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  • Sea
    Sea Posts: 317
    edited August 2014
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    Thanks. I don't know how I over looked this.
    Main-Carver TFM35(2),Carver C11 ,Carver SD/A 360 CD,Carver TX11 ,Grace Digital Tuner, Pioneer PL707 TT,Polk SDA1C
    Downstairs -Carver M1.5t, Carver C1 Pre, Carver TX10 Tuner, Carver TL3200 CD Player, Dual 1009 TT,Polk SDA SRS 2.3tl
    Study - Carver AV634 Amp, Carver CT7 Pre, Carver DTL50 CD Player, Polk RTA12c
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  • mikey1987
    mikey1987 Posts: 68
    edited August 2014
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    I'm not exactly a Mac hater, but IMO, a PC is a better choice. I use my two Lenovo's for music listening. My 8 year old T60 still treats me fine after all these years.

    Call me skeptical but I don't trust iTunes at all for ripping or tagging. I use EAC, flac, and foobar2000.
    Speakers: Polk RTi10
    Preamp: Parasound PL/D-1100
    Amplifier: Parasound HCA-1500A
    Neighbors: pissed off
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,056
    edited August 2014
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    MacBook Pro's make wonderful Music Server despite whatever dude above is saying.
    I personally use one and I love it.
    I have an entire thread on DAC's that work well you should do a search for my DAC thread.
    Look into Pure Music Software. I Run 24 bit 192 files.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited August 2014
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    I use an iMac and rip to aiff. ITunes organizes the library. Usb to asynchronous dac. I'm not sure what foobar or pure music could do to better my sound.

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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