Advice on Setting Up A Laptop-Based Audio System?

A SqueezeBox or Transporter if you are reasonably computer savvy. If you aren't then you might try a DAC with a USB input. DAC1 seems to be pretty popular. Connect the USB on your computer directly to the DAC. WinAmp seems to be pretty good player for this purpose. I use EAC for ripping. DBpoweramp for editing rips is my favorite. They are both free, though DBpoweramp makes you buy an MP3 license if you are going to be creating MP3 files for your MP3 player. It is well worth it. I couldn't find another program that allows you to edit metafiles (data displayed by the media player, artist, genre etc) and batch convert files to other codecs any where near as well as this one. Plus they seem to provide very good support. That is a rarity among free programs.

I have both FLAC and MP3. FLAC for home and MP3 for portable players.

Many Thanks Regalmal! I presume that the DAC then, in turn, is plugged directly into my pre/pro with a USB to RS 232 cable. Does the Squeeze Box and Transporter perform the same function as the DAC? Puerto

Yes, the Squeezebox and Transporter both have built-in DAC's. They also permit the use of an external DAC by way of coax and Toslink digital outputs.

Michael

Puerto, the output of a DAC is analog, so it can be plugged into any analog input on your pre/pro. Another choice is to buy a USB to SPDIF convertor. The converter can have coax or Toslink digital output. You would then plug that into the appropriate digital input on your Pre/pro and so use its built in DAC. M-Audio makes a converter called the Transit that is around $100. That is a lot less than a good DAC.

Got it! Thank you both (Regalmal and Sufentanil). I've learned a lot from these threads but sometimes they get heavy into the techno-talk and I'm left behind! Your simple explanations were useable and appreciated! Puerto