2. pc-audio
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Best path for PC audio into the big rig..

Hi all,

I need help. I've got the urge to incorporate a bunch of ripped audio tracks on my PC into the main stereo system.

All the gear, PC and home audio are in the same room, the 'office'. the listening area is in an adjacent room... with just speakers.

I want to sit in the living room and via a wireless notebook, access those numerous tracks. I've two desktops. One wireless, one wired. both networked... and a fair to middlin' system.

Waht do I need, and how should I proceed. I use itunes on both desktops... and naturally, I can't use a Mac... not that I don't want to. Just can't due to accessibility reasons... nor any other device with a small screen for interface. It'll have to be a notebook for my purposes.

I'd also prefer not to have to use Microsofts "remote access" feature to get at the files, as that would mean another PC needs be online.

Audio quality is also pretty high on the list... my system is resolving, open, a notch past the warm side of neutral with very good extension at both ends, and spooky good in the midrange, especially with Vocals. If some sacrifice needs be made for the sake of conveinence, i'd rather it not be the musicality or hrmonics... and I've not terribly deep pockets.

Can do? ...or can't do...???

Thanks much.
blindjim

Showing 5 responses by herman

herman
2,284 posts
 
There are several ways to skin this cat.

Wired USB from computer to USB DAC
Wired USB from computer to USB/spdif converter to DAC
Wireless with Airport express to optical input of DAC
Belkin keeps threatening to release a wireless USB but keeps delaying it. If they do you can Wireless to Belkin to USB DAC.

There are systems like Slimserver also but I prefer a more open ended approach.

A system like mine will get you there for around $1,000

check these out

Audio Asylum

Wavelength

Emprical Audio

Altmann

Altmann sounds a bit like a madman on his website but his DAC sounds great.
herman
2,284 posts
 
You don't have to have an NAS drive, even USB 1.1 is fast enough to do the job, but a big NAS drive with RAID 5 is a simple way to have some backup. Otherwise redundant external USB drives will be fine. Just make sure you get ones that are well ventilated with fans like the Western Digital ones. Easier still is mount some drives in your desktop cases and just use those.

With iTunes you can turn on the share feature and have the hard drives connected to desktops and the wireless notebook can share those files directly via iTunes.

Unless Belkin finally releases their wireless USB interface, if you use a USB dac it will have to be wired to the laptop, not the drives. Wireless print servers won't work. You also have limits on USB cable length unless you use a USB optical repeater.

I don't know about the realibility of the AE units, but bear in mind they've sold millions of them so you have to figure some crapped out. Even if they did only last 2 years they only cost about $100 in the first place. They also have a built in DAC (not a great one) so that would get you started until you find the DAC you want, but it will have to have a toslink input or you will need a optical to spdif converter.

Apple claims they are accessible Won't that work for you? The reason I ask is that many Apple notebooks are very quiet whereas many PC notebooks have fans that are loud enough to be distracting.

You can also use their Front row software which will make it very easy to navigate through iTunes.
herman
2,284 posts
 
what would be the matter how noisy a notebook or laptop is?

I guess misunderstood your intentions. I thought you wanted to sit at the listening position with a wireless laptop and choose songs. If that's the case then you want a totally quiet laptop. If that's not the case then please explain how the laptop fits in with what you want.
herman
2,284 posts
 
I think we're talking about 2 differnt kinds of noise. I'm talking about the noise from the fan in the laptop, not electrical noise.

WHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR that you don't want interfering with the music. Many laptops do have rather noisy fans. The Apples I'm talking about do not have fans at all. You certainly don't need an Apple to play iTunes so if that is all you are after then maybe you can find a Windows laptop that doesn't have a fan.
herman
2,284 posts
 
Follow the Empirical link above for modified USB DACS and Airport Express.
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