2. pc-audio
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If you were setting up a music server today ...

I started, some years back, with iTunes, streaming to an Airport Express attached with optical cable to a DAC. I then moved on over to a Squeezebox, employing the Logitech Media Server on my Mac, with a Squeezebox Touch hooked up via coax to a number of DACs.

My question: I've been thinking of setting up a whole new server, starting from scratch, hoping to get it right from the first, ripping the CDs anew (yuck!) with better software than iTunes. I still want to be wireless.

Knowing what you know today, what would you recommend for a Mac-based server. Ripping software. Music playing software. The thing it would stream to to get it to the DAC. Anything else I'd want or need.

I haven't yet gotten into high res music, so I'm talking here about a server for my CDs, but I'd welcome a system that might allow me to progress into the high res stuff down the line, though that is not at all a priority.

What matters is good sound from a Mac-based wireless system -- and something I can live with for the long haul, as I really don't want to rip that whole damn collection a third time!

Thanks for any help you might give a boy on this complex front.

-- Howard
hodu

Showing 1 response by clio09

clio09
3,372 posts
 
Here is the set up I just settled on:

Late 2009 Mac Mini (Snow Leopard, 120GB SSD, 8GB RAM) with external 1TB HD connected via FireWire>Audiophilleo1 with Pure Power>Lessloss DAC 2004 MkII. Alternately I eliminate the Audiophilleo and run USB direct into a Resolution Audio Cantata (dealer disclaimer). I use Audirvana for playback (iTunes integrated mode and turn off all iTunes controls so you are just using the interface) and the remote app for iPad to access my music library.

I also configured the Mac Mini using a guide published by Larry Moore. For more information I would suggest going to the Empirical Audio site and looking at some of the tips and system recommendations there.
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