2. pc-audio
  3. 1120582298

Building a Music server

Hi All,

I am building a music server. My first one. So I need your experienced help in correcting my obvious and not so obvious mistakes.

I see a lot of advantages for using a computer as an input device to my receiver. Suddenly we are protected from format changes, Technology expiry etc.

My Design Objectives are:
=================

Store, CD Ripped and downloaded music with minimal losses.
Expandable Disk based storage with initial space of 120GB (I have a spare IDE)

Download and store music and video. So the machine should be connected.

A clean, small preferably touch pad screen for controlling the UI. Also a wireless control for the Keyboard and mouse.

CD Qualuity, Music output to my receiver.

Play CDs and DVDs (Music and Video to be channeled to my receiver.)

Fairly fast (Not for gaming). Tuned for good sound and video.

Sleek looking, so that it can fit into my music system.

Under $500

I am planning on an used P-IV machine with 512 MB RAM. Upgrade the sound and video cards. Add an USB card if required. Run a good flavor of Linux. An LCD screen (12").
An external sound processor of the likes of,

Stereo-Link 1200
Waveterminal U24
Edirol UA-1X
M-Audio Sonica
Yamaha DP-U50 CAVIT External Audio Soundboard

These are my initial thoughts. I am waiting for your comments. So please pen your thoughts.

Thanks
Boni
bonigv
bonigv OP
19 posts
 
Hi EDesilva,

Could you please explain, as you would to a complete iddiot :-), Thats Me, How I can connect my Laptop, Waveterminal U24 and my Harmon Kardon 3840. HK3840 does not have any digital inputs. It has only RCA inputs.

I saw somewhere that Waveterminal does not have RCA out. So I am a little nervous. Also, I read the U24 documentation, to get confused even more. It is talking about a lot of techy stuff !!.

Thanks
Boni
bonigv OP
19 posts
 
Well, I had to read quiet a lot of webpages to finally confirm that Waveterminal U24 does not have RCA out. It has standards 1/4" outs. So I bought a conversion cable, HOSA CPR202
(
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Code=HOS+CPR202&JRSource=google.datafeed )

I hope it does the trick.

From All I read about Waveterminal's capabilities I am fairly convinced that it will do the trick without an external DAC.

Keeping my fingers crossed :-)

Thanks
Boni
edesilva
768 posts
 
Sorry, haven't logged on for a little while. Conversion cable or a 1/4" mic to RCA adapter from radio shack will work...
bonigv OP
19 posts
 
Hi Edesilva,

THanks for clarifying that. I have bought that cable from J&R. They had free shipping. Miser as I am !!..Well I really don't know why I did not walk up to Radioshack next street :-)

By the way, do you think, I forgetting this DAC, and connecting directly to Receiver will work for a Waveterminal ?

Thanks
Boni
bonigv OP
19 posts
 
Hi Got my Waveterminal U24. I am currently using it with my PC Laptop. I am using the nalog out to feed the spekers through HK3480. It sounds very impressive. Thanks to Desilva for suggesting U24.

I could not find a great difference for FLAC output. But Bad quality MP3s do sound very good through U24. Is it a known observation or, Did I mess up anything with my Settings ?

Also, I bought the motherboard for my server. After all I decided to build it. Its a Micro ATX Form Factor P4, 478 Pin board.

My PC Case is going to be, Aspire X-QPack

http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144160&CMP=OTC-Froogle&ATT=ASPIRE+X-QPACK-NW-AL/420+Black/Silver+Aluminum+MicroATX+Desktop+Computer+Case+420W+Power+Supply

Will Keep you Posted.
Thanks
Boni
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