Computer based music collection ??

IMHO PC Audio is where digital is headed.

After divesting myself of my $6K CDP, and going to a laptop, external HD, and Wavelength Brick Silver USB DAC, I couldn't be happier. The sonics are marvelous, and the convenience exceeded my expectations (which were quite high to begin with)!

A PC as a transport just has to be heard to be believed. My new MacBook works great. My very old Dell PII 300mhz machine worked equally as well.

I do agree with the Dtronvig. PC Audio is presently in a techie phase. But there is plenty of help and information if one is willing to do a little work. If this old dog can learn new tricks anyone can.

It's ironic that I'm running new (PC Audio) and old (Analog) front ends with different, but spectacular results.

I have about 300 cd's on a G5 Mac, it sends the signal via ethernet (it could be wireless, but I already had the ethernet line) to a stock Squeezebox v.3, to a Behringer DEQ, straight in to a pair of Nuforce amps, to a pair of Vandersteen 3A's. I control the volume with the Squeezebox remote.

Down the road I'll add a DAC between the Behringer and the amps and I'll get the Squeezebox modded by Bolder Cables.

Everything stays in the digital domain until it leaves the Behringer. I have access to 2500 plus songs without leaving my seat. I love the convenience and the sound.

I tried the Olive Musica, but the Squeezebox works & sounds better in my system.

Check out the Squeeze Box at http://www.slimdevices.com/
For $300 you can't go wrong.

The device sounds better than most CD players and you can use it's analog out, which uses high quality dacs from Burr Brown or it's digital out.

I use one and sell them.

Neal

Thanks for all the info.Will I need a preamp for this?
I dont use one now,I run direct from the cdp to the amps.

Thanks for all the info.Will I need a preamp for this?

No, not with your Wadia 850. However, you will need a digital input, which was apparently optional on the 850. If yours doesn't have it, perhaps Wadia can install one.

You would configure the system as follows:

Hard drive -> Squeezebox (or the like) -> CDP with digital input -> amplifier -> speakers.

We have over 800 CDs on a hard drive, and are about to jump to a drive that will hold over 2000 CDs. The Squeezebox will read the files wirelessly, so the hard drive doesn't even have to be in the same room. In fact, ours is connected to a computer down the hall, making it possible to change the playlist or volume with either the Squeezebox remote or at the computer. You simply download the free software at www.slimdevices.com (click "Downloads"), and you can view your entire music library, change playlists, volume, etc. from the computer, whether it is in the listening room or not. The convenience is unbeatable, and the sound quality outstanding, provided you have a good DAC. The DAC inside the Squeezebox is passable, but nowhere near the sound quality of your Wadia.