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Computer based music collection ??

Computer based music collection ??
I have read that people are getting away from cdp,ect and going to a computer based system??
How does this work and what are the pros and cons of this?
I was in a room a couple of years ago at the Rocky Mountain Audiofest that was set up with only a computer running it.
I wanted to talk to the person showing the room but they had allot of people in there and with so much to see so I wondered off.
I find this very interesting.
Would this be like hooking up a Ipod or something to your system?? Is this were music is going?
btstrg
btstrg OP
185 posts
 
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.
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
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.
kilsho
12 posts
 
Computer evolves faster than a mutating virus. Hence I have a couple of old Dell laptops sitting around collecting dust. Now they become my servers for a multi-room setup.

I ripped all my CDs into an external HD. I hooked up the HD to my network wireless router and serves as a network drive. Luckily all the laptops have internal wireless and a digital out so that I don't need a USB to SPDIF converter or USB DAC. For my office and bedroom, I connect the SPDIF output from the laptops to my DAC and to my cheap but awesome T-Amp with amazing result. But of course, for my main listening room, I have better gears.

In terms of software, I rip my CDs using Exact Audio Copy (freeware) into lossless WAV files. The frontend player is foobar2000 (also freeware) through kernel streaming, which bypass the internal soundcard completely. IMHO, kernel streaming sound a lot better than the internal soundcard.

This setup is fairly cheap and effective with good sound. I am totally satisfy with it in my bedrooms. All the components are small enough to move from place to place if necessary; even outdoor when it's not raining.
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