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Music Server vs. PC vs. Transport vs. ?

I don;t really want to add another rack in my living room. If I do, I may end up sleeping on one of the couches. Ideally, I would like to do the following:

1. Either use a pc or a server to store discs and have them accessable.
2. Have a way for the kids/wife to hook up their ipods
3. Have a way to get digital radio (xm, sirius or even computer streaming, doesn;t matter)
4. Do all of this WITHOUT degrading the sound quality ( i know, the ipod, by definition will do this)

My understanding of most high end DACs is that they do not have USB ports, but that is the ideal port to use to negate jitter. As I was researching this, I got the latest issue of the absolute sound, and they address some of this a bit. My feeling seems to be that one pays a HUGE premium for a server, that both their DACs and PCs DACs suck, and one has to get a USB to AES or other adapter, and still use an external DAC. It also seems that if one is willing to use a lossless system, that the universal opinion is that a hard drive rivals or beats any transports.

So my initial thought would be to get a pc with an ipod dock, run lossless, get an additional adapter say from Wavelength, and use the current dac. That adds at least two pieces, maybe three.

Help?????
Thanks,
Chris

Help??????

Thanks,
Chris
128x128chrisla
sammie
220 posts
 
Chris, get a Mac (my preference), or a PC. The beauty is that once you've ripped all of your CD's, your music can be easily manipulated in any number of ways depending on what system you use, or will use in the future. Your music is suddenly future proof!

Want to use a PC as a music server? No problem. Prefer a Mac? Again no problem. Your music collection can be easily changed to Apple formats, or vice-versa. Need a remote? --any number of devices can be used as a family friendly remote.

The learning curve for PC's is a bit steep, at least it was for me. But if you go PC, there's a ton of free software: rippers, players, upsampling software, etc. available. The Mac is easier and more intuitve of course, but less customizable, although that's changing rapidly.

I started with a PC using EAC to rip and Foobar as my player. Now, I use a Macbook with Apple's Front Row media software and the Apple remote (both included with the Macbook). I have every CD in my coolection available to me in a few clicks of the remote, and the major bonus is that it sounds fantastic!

I couldn't be happier. Good Luck!
pschoi
23 posts
 
Sammie, may I ask what the rest of your setup is like? i.e. (1) are you saving the music on a separate external hard drive? (2) how is the digital signal from your MacBook transferred to a DAC (assuming you're using one) (3) are there any delays and/or interruptions in reading music from an external hard drive to the MacBook, then to the DAC, then to your amp?

Thanks.
ckorody
640 posts
 
see the current post on USB conversion to understand the options for transferring from Mac to DAC

you will in all likelihood want to use an external (perhaps dedicated) drive for reasons of space and convenience. this is one place an open system trumps the packaged server

there is no delay, certainly no more then you experience with a cd
sammie
220 posts
 
Pscoi--

Macbook to Wavelength DAC (also configured as a preamp) to active speakers

1. Not yet. Entire CD collection in Apple Lossless format fits on 200GB HD in Macbook for now. I use a 3.5" WD 320 GB HD connected via firewire to do periodic back ups, which will become primary music drive when we outgrow the Macbook drive.

2. Kimber USB cable

3. No delays, interruptions, skips, squeaks, hesitations, pauses, gasps, etc. I mean nothing! Entire process is seamless. Changing albums, songs,playlists, etc. takes milliseconds.
tboooe's avatar
tboooe
1,009 posts
 
I personally think the idea of having a PC or laptop is overkill. I use a Sonos system with a 1TB NAS attached to my wireless router. This setup allows me to access my music library, internet radio, Sirius, and other music sources without the need to have a PC on. The Sonos wireless music server is wired to my Esoteric DAC. The results are great.
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