Anyone using i tunes as a computer based jukebox?

I'm curious what iTunes and Titletrack are - I guess they're Macintosh programs? How do they interface to the stereo - through a digital output on a soundcard or something else?

Mnmatt - I'd be very interested in how you're set up with the jukebox changers - who writes the Titletrack software and does it physically interact with the changers?

I have two Sony CD changers and have it set up to control them with the Nirvis Slinke controller from my PC. The controller costs $$$ and they give you the jukebox software. Conceptually it works great - fabulously flexible keyword assignments and infinite flexibility for playlists, etc. In reality, the jukebox software is the most bug-ridden software I've ever allowed to crash my computer more than once. I've tried to coax it to behave because I want the functionality in the worst way, but it's a bad piece of software and I've probably now given up. I'd love to know some alternatives, especially if somebody has some success stories.

The other cool box I've seen is from a company called Lansonic. It's a hard-disk based "jukebox" with an ethernet interface on the input side, hard drives for storage in the unit, and an audio-component output side. It connects to a network and looks just like an NT server to other computers on the network. You can control it from any browser on the network, and it can play songs from any location on the network. I'd go for it in an instant if I was convinced it actually worked reliably, but it's a relatively new product and, like Nirvis, is probably a hardware company that writes the accompanying software "because they have to" and many companies like this produce bad software.

I love the best possible reproduction path when I'm sitting to specifically listen, but the technology exists in spades to have your whole music collection at instant access, and that's what I want. Unfortunately, I haven't been too successful coming up with the right mix to accomplish this (and, I agree - the Escient stuff is just too expensive even if it works flawlessly). -Kirk

Kthomas, you are correct, i tunes is an Apple software product. It comes pre-installed on all new Macs or it can be downloaded (for free) from the Apple website. i tunes primary purpose is to handle the conversion to and organization of MP3 files. Fortunately, the program has the flexibility to handle uncompressed files at the original 16 bit, 44.1K rates. Although some Macs have analog I/O, I would recommend adding a soundcard with digital I/O and connecting the computer to an outboard DAC. Music can be sent into the computer either by using the computer's CD drive, it takes about 4-5 minutes to rip a CD, or by using the digital input on a soundcard and any audio software that can produce a WAV or AIFF format file. Additionally, i tunes burn songs using the computer's CD-R.

The cost of the computer, monitor, sound card and hard drives quickly adds up, but a Mac running i tunes can directly replace a CD player and a CD-R. Also, since the music is contained as computer files, it opens up the possibility of DSP manipulation of the music - EQ, noise reduction, whatever.

Have you considered lossless compression (100% accurate with 50% size) such as www.monkeysaudio.com. For more info check http://www.firstpr.com.au/audiocomp/lossless/ .

I've also looked at the www.lansonic.com solution but I find it a little too expensive and you're forced to use their compressor. For PRO models they offer their own lossless compressor SonaPak.

My latest solution is to use my PC with external FireWire HDs (100GB each) and an www.lynxone.com audio card with AES/EBU output to my Tact Audio RCS 2.0 preamp. Remote control can be done wirelessly (802.11b) using my notebook or a Compaq iPAQ handheld.

Email me for more.
Nemo

Iamnemo, I'm not familiar with any of the compression programs. HD space is fairly cheap, so I figure why compress. Three questions, have you addressed back up issues, have you tried the A/D converters on the Lynx (what's your opinion) and do you find Firewire cables to be directional?

I've only had my system set up for a few weeks, but I love it. It's so much easier to access music.

I purchased the RME card as well but put it in a homebuilt PC (PIII, 933Mhz, 512 MB) with QuietPC power supply, CPU and case fans and disk drive enclosures. I also put dynamat around the inside of the case and it's virtually silent. I run the Toslink digital out of the RME into a Monarchy Audio DIP 24/96 and then into a CAL Alpha 24/96. I'm using Winamp for now to play all of my CD's which are ripped using Exact Audio Copy (EAC) onto 4 60 GB hard drives. I also upsample some songs using Cool Edit 2000. I've tried Monkey's Audio but had problems with upsampled songs which were then compressed with Monkey's Audio and not being able to be played with WinAmp.