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67 yrs. old computer audio

I've recently have become interested computer audio... at 67 I'm not very computer savvy. Have a ASUS Eee PC 1000HE XP netbook (2 GB upgrade, 1.66 GHz and 1.75 GHz in super high power mode)... don't use except for internet radio. Would like to start downloading cd's and using computer as source sometimes. Read, you can upgrade this computer to Windows 7 and 64 bits... can I use this computer or buy something else? (50's 60's Be-Bop jazz, old rock, movie scores)

ASUS Eee PC 1000HE netbook (2 GB upgrade, 1.66 GHz and 1.75 GHz in super high power mode)
Microsoft Windows XP (32-bit)
Digital to Analog Converter: Musical Fidelity M1 A
Preamp: Quicksilver Line Stage (non-remote) 2010 new model
Amps: Quicksilver 90 watt silver monos
Loudspeakers: 12x15x9 room... Fritz Rev 5 (with upgraded drivers: Scanspeak Illuminator 5 inch woofer, Revelator tweeter)
Interconnects: Kimber KCAG (amp to pre)
Kimber Silver Streak (dac to pre)
DH Labs digital (Theta Miles CD player as transport to dac)
DH Labs usb
Loudspeaker Cables: WyWires Blue
Power Cables: Kimber PK 10 Gold (pre to API Power Wedge 1)
DH Labs Encore (from dac and CD transport)
Amps: hard wired
zoot45

Showing 2 responses by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
If your ears are still intact and you care about sound quality, forget about WMP. Not good IME. If you use a PC, then rip CDs with dbpoweramp with Accurate-Rip enabled on-line. It is simply the best ripper and achieves the best results.

The SB Touch is a great choice, but so is the Sonos. Sonos is actually more popular worldwide and easier to use. More trouble-free. Both Touch and Sonos sonics benefit significantly if you place a reclocker between them and your MF DAC.

For a demo of how easy Sonos is see:

http://www.sonos.com

If you want to beat this sound quality and are willing to do a little computer work, then the next step-up is a low-jitter USB converter between your computer and your DAC. Your Netbook is probably not the best thing to drive USB with however. You may need a real laptop with more memory and stronger USB ports. You will definitely need a good playback software for USB, not WMP. I highly recommend Foobar2000 with Jplay.

I use Mac Mini myself. More tips:

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/recommended-systems

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Mapman wrote: "Steve, can you quantify in any way the shortcomings you believe exist with WMP versus dmpoweramp?"

Certainly sound quality is better with dbpoweramp rips, due to Accurate Rip verification of the dataset as well as the offset. Both are important. It also has very good read algorithms to get clean reads and makes use of C2 error correction when needed.

It's even better than EAC IME. Does a great job of converting FLAC to .wav etc..

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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