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New Computer: What Should I Get for Audio?

I need to buy a new computer (I've been without one for a while..writing this from work). I'd like to get something that will help me take advantage of high-resolution audio. I know virtually *nothing* about the subject at this point. I'd like to have something that will make doing hi-rez as easy as possible (without compromising sound, if possible).

Thanks for any help and suggestions you can offer. After I get the computer, I'll to figure out the rest of it, of course!
jfz
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
Mac Minis have received high praise as a music server. Particularly the metal unibody versions introduced in 2010 or so. The current model doesn't have a CD/DVD drive, so you would either need to buy an external one or buy a used model that has one. Also, it is rumored that new Mac Mini models are coming out in the next month or so. Might want to wait until they come out.

Another bonus of Macs is that there is some excellent playback software available for them, such as Amarra, PureMusic, Fidelia and others. Some are standalone programs, some integrate fairly seamlessly with iTunes.
timlub
1,649 posts
 
There are a hundred or so threads on the subject, the good news is that there are only about 95 opinions for every 100 threads....
I believe the largest consensus today is that the MAC Mini is a good buy, you would then need an optical drive (cd drive) of some sort to download cd's and you would need a good DAC. My problem with the above is to do it right, you most likely would also need additional programs, like Amarra to use in conjunction with it...
Myself, I use a windows machine. With windows you would need to use JRiver, Foobar or Media Monkey.... I have listended to all. JRiver is the easiest and most versital, but once completely set up with the latest beta version of Foobar, I find sound quality equal... I didn't like Media Monkey as good as either.
Any Windows machine will include an optical drive, so you would need a USB DAC.
Many have touted JPlay as an additional source to play through, It runs your files directly off of RAM. When I first tried it, I was blown away.. I got rid of anti virus, deleted a bunch of programs and turned off everything else that I could, after this, Jplay was negligable... Obviously I am speaking from Windows experience. Overall If I had the funds, I'd probably try the MAC route. Don't have the funds, but I can tell you that I have a very nice Tubed CD player that I have modded to the hilt and my server/DAC combo is every bit as good.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Get a used late 2009 Mac Mini on ebay and then buy a 120GB SSD from Other World Computing and 8GB of DRAM from them and install it yourself.

Then do all of these SW tweaks:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=105944.0

Then put this older version of Amarra on it:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=105236.0

Then plug your USB cable in the slot next to the center slot.

All of these optimizations result in a spectacular SQ.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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