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DIGITAL HIGH-RES AUDIO SYSTEM -HELP PLEASE

I need your expert advice on building a 24 bit/96Khz, 24/192Khz max, computer based home audio system I'd like to integrate into my home audio/ht system. I'm not totally clueless on what I need but I could definitely use some advice and direction as well as helpful tips. I have a fairly good audio system I currently use for ht and music playback. So, I'm not starting from scratch but want to incorporate computer audio and WAV and FLAC file streaming and storage into my system. Video streaming and storage can wait for a future time.

My current system consists of the following:
Plasma HDTV
Full 5.1 surround setup (5 spkrs and 1 subwoofer with in-ceiling surrounds).
Three separate stereo amps that power the main l/r, subwoofer/ center and l/r surrounds.
Directv satellite source (box has HDMI and digital audio output)
Older DVD/CD player as source used for movies and music.
Surround sound processor (older unit with just coax and optical audio inputs/outputs, no HDMI or USB inputs/outputs).
Separate tube preamp with HT Passthru. I'd run computer analog outputs to this for 2-channel listening.

For computer audio I already have some components:

Newer Laptop with 4 USB2.0 ports, dual core processor, 2 GB RAM and 110 GB internal hard-drive that can be solely devoted to a computer audio system(only 35 GB free on HD, however).
Wireless high-speed LAN with smart HDTV already attached and streaming Netflix, Hulu, Pandora and Amazon Prime to the tv and laptop.
JRiver v19.0 media player installed but no downloads yet and only a handful of cds ripped.
Cambridge Audio DacMagic 24 bit/192khz DAC.

My current budget is only about $1,500 and was thinking my next steps should be to:
A. Buy a new or used Oppo BDP-103 or, preferably a BDP-105 to replace my DacMagic and Sony DVD,CD player and get at least into 21st century technology.
B. Buy a NAS next to connect via USB to my laptop when more funds become available.

So, please let me know the following:

1. Am I thinking correctly and on the right path with buying an Oppo followed by a NAS?
2. Is there a method to connect my laptop, and future NAS wirelessly to the Oppo? I'm currently running a 12ft USB cable from my laptop to my DAC. I know cabled is better than wireless but curious how much better.
3. Any suggestions for a good, affordable NAS?
4. Does the Oppo BDP-105 have internal surround sound decoding capability that would allow me to run analog cables to my 3 HT amps directly from its analog outputs and substitute for my Parasound processor?

Thanks in advance for any advice and guidance.
Tim



128x128noble100
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
1,093 posts
 
Al,Steve and Steve,

I think you're correct, I may not have a need for a NAS. I realize I have limited knowledge on setting up a computer based audio/video system and therefore may not be thinking about this in the best manner.
You have all been very kind and helpful and I don't want to take up too much more of your time.
In retrospect, what I really should have asked in the beginning is the following:

I want to incorporate an Oppo 105 into my HT system. I'd like to use my laptop, running JRiver V19, to store and playback 24/96, 24/192 and ripped cd audio files wirelessly to the Oppo. I also want to increase my laptop's storage capacity to at least 1TB and have a backup system in place.

What do I need to accomplish this?

My main concern is sending audio files wirelessly to the Oppo for playback.

Does the included wireless dongle on the Oppo allow this?

Or do I need to add something on my laptop to permit this?

Should I just upgrade the internal hd on my laptop to a 1TB unit?

Do external 1TB hds exist that are wireless or do they all connect via hardwire into the USB port?

Ideally, I'd like to locate an added hd next to the Oppo in my rack.

Thanks in advance,
Tim

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
You can use Win8 WMP wirelessly to stream audio to your OPPO. It is a DLNA device so this is built-in. The problem will be audio quality (jitter) because it uses a clock inside the Oppo for master clock. Also, not sure how user friendly DLNA will be with Win8. I have heard some complaints.

If it were me, I would use a USB converter like the Off-Ramp 5 that delivers a low-jitter hi-res signal over coax to the Oppo. You will have to connect the computer (any type) using up to 16 foot USB cable to the USB converter and then a really good coax cable about 1.5-2.5m long to the Oppo. The coax input on the Oppo is very good.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I misspoke - the DLNA to the Oppo is wired Ethernet, so you will need a router nearby.

I use my Oppo with wired Ethernet to view internet TV and movies.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Ag insider logo xs@2x
gz3827
232 posts
 
Bowing out ... lotsa luck
williewonka
1,826 posts
 
Tim - I have taken a look at the user manual for the Oppo BDP105 and although it appears you can access media files on a NAS drive over a wireless network it starts getting quite complex and if you have never done this type of thing before it can suck the life right out of you.

My experience with another media player that used similar techniques and protocols to access data over a LAN was very frustrating and made me adopt a different solution that was much easier to setup and far more elegant to use, but that solution does not address your particular requirements.

Since I have no hands on experience of this type of player there is no real advice I can provide. Perhaps other members can assist you

Wished I could have been of more assistance :-(

Good Luck
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