A few issues on this one, I think I can comment as I have gone both roads...
PC's require more geekery to setup as you need to avoid the dreaded Kmixer, research the forums for more on this, but they obviously have more hardware and software options and can be had cheaply.
I ditched a PC and went to a Mac Mini which is tiny and makes no noise, making it a perfect companion to live in your listening room, but you could also use a NAS storage device or just share your files off your PC via router instead of having it at hand. I use my mac for other things so it is handy to have it in-room.
A laptop typically will have a smaller hard drive, and if you want to store your tunes in uncompressed or lossless formats (which is the only way to go) you might have a hard time finding the drive space if you have quite a few discs. Laptops also in my experience can be noisy, or at least noisier than a Mac mini, and could be distracting as it will be close to you if you interface directly with it.
Also I tried wireless, and even with a great wireless router I still occasionally had dropouts or interference issues, it still isn't 100% reliable like an ethernet cable. I went back to wired, and use a Squeezebox via ethernet cable from the mac mini to access music. Check out the Squeezebox and Sonos units also as they free you from worrying about where the PC is much more than pulling music straight from the computer.
One more thing, if control or a display is in room is an issue, there is a software called Salling Clicker that can control many devices on your PC or mac from a bluetooth PDA, so you have a great interface without a monitor etc. cluttering up your room. May be worth checking out.
Good luck! |
I can't speak to the Windows approach to doing this, so I'll confine my comments to Apple based digital server approach. I use a MacBook Pro two ways: 1. As a wireless server via Aiport Express to DAC via fiber optic output; 2. Hooking up the laptop directly to the DAC with fiberoptic cable (Van den HUL). To me, the 2nd way sounds better, but either way you get surprisingly good digital sound. All my music is in Apple Lossless, so it does take up more room as Sbrtoy mentions. If you store most of your music on a separate HD you can just move the music onto your laptop when you want to do more "serious" listening. |
Thanks guys.
Bruce1, I am looking at doing something similar to what you are doing, which seems to be a fairly common set up.
My question is really more to do with the capabilities of a PC to do something similar. Is there a PC device similar to the airport express? Can I use Apple Lossless on a PC? Is the storing and accessing of music in lossless files on a PC as easy as it is on a Mac?
Thanks again,
Lawrence. |
Hmm...Well for someone who uses PC's for work, it seems pretty straightforward, but if you are a Mac person then it will not be...you can use Apple Lossless through iTunes on PC which is the easiest way, other ways get more convoluted. You can use a media player or Squeezebox much like an Airport except these also give you a screen and remote to control them with unlike an Airport which still depends on the computer for control.
It really is just what you are comfortable with, both can be configured almost identically, however as mentioned you need to bypass Kmixer on PC which was a deal breaker for me. I have heard the new Windows Vista will not have this, but it is not out until year end. |
Your best bet is to use PC + Itunes + Apple Lossess + Sqeezebox for a while until the new Windows comes out...
That's what I'm doing now... I'm using USB + External DAC for my main system and Sqeezebox for my second system. |
The PC with upsampling to 24/96 delivers the best quality (with ASIO and SRC), but the MAC is superior at 16/44.1
Less hassle with the MAC to set it up, but you are limited to iTunes. They both sound identical whan using the AE, and they are limited to 16/44.1 with the AE.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer |
Thanks to all...this has been a real learning experience.
So, will PC at 24/96 deliver the same sound quality as my Music Hall cd25.2 CD player? Opinions? |
A question for Steve, I have been contemplating your Turbomod for my DAC1, what are your thoughts on the value of completing the mod and continuing to use a Squeezebox and feed to the DAC1 via spdif? Is there a major difference in going straight from a usb offramp to DAC? |
24/96 vs. Music Hall CDP: assuming you're playing back lossless audio on the PC, the potential's there. Would you be using the CDP as your DAC?
I agree that wifi can be a real stumbling block. Audio drop-outs are a big disappointment when you've taken the time to sit down to listen. Likewise, trying to limit the load on your network while playing audio is a real drag--not that you can't learn to think that way, but it sure isn't helpful in terms of ease-of-use (or SAF, for that matter). Yes a wired connection means you have to run a wire, but it sure erases some other bothersome issues.
You mention a "variety of uses" for the computer you want to buy. Would those uses also include video streaming/playback? Plus the laptop/desktop is important to figure out, even just in terms of being connected to the network so you can play back music at all.
I'm not a listmaker by trade, but I sure found it helpful when I went to put together my own computer-based system. First, list out what you want your system to do, with some mind for what are must-haves and what would just be nice. Second, draw up a map of what components you'll need. Will you need an outboard DAC? Can you get digital audio directly out of your computer, or will that take an additional device? Third, mark out your budget for the whole project. Fourth, figure out how 1-3 match up.
I will say that, although sound is obviously very important, the way you access your music is also very important. You want to make it as easy to use as possible, otherwise what's the point of ripping all these CDs, spending money to add this to your system when you can just drop a CD into a tray? |
Fishbonegt wrote:
"So, will PC at 24/96 deliver the same sound quality as my Music Hall cd25.2 CD player?"
Definitely, with the right USB or Wi-Fi converter it will probably pass it up. I have yet to find a CD player that beats good computer audio.
Steve N. |
Sbrtoy wrote:
"A question for Steve, I have been contemplating your Turbomod for my DAC1, what are your thoughts on the value of completing the mod and continuing to use a Squeezebox and feed to the DAC1 via spdif?"
The DAC mods will improve the bass and the dynamics. It also improve the extension and clarity, particularly if a Superclock4 is added.
"Is there a major difference in going straight from a usb offramp to DAC?"
Yes, the clarity and HF extension/imaging will be better than the SB. If you go with a Off-Ramp I2S with the I2S interface on the DAC-1, this is the best clarity and imaging I have heard from ANY digital gear, including the best Meridian DAC with DSP, the Dodson 218 and others. This combo is being currently reviewed by 6-moons.
Just yesterday I powered-up the first proto of the Off-Ramp Wi-Fi with I2S interface. This is a modded AirPort Express. Amazing sound driving the DAC-1 with I2S, even though it's only 16/44.1.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer |
"I have yet to find a CD player that beats good computer audio."
You should try the Aberdeen North Star transport. |
What's an Aberdeen? I also mod the Northstar transport and DAC. Really excellent with mods, but the Off-Ramp I2S is still better. IMO, the Northstar Transport and DAC with my mods is the best CD playback that I have heard. Very close to computer-driven audio. For folks that dont want to mess with computers, this is what I recommend. The Northstar transport has I2S output at 24/192, compatible with my Benchmark DAC-1 and the Northstar DAC has I2S input compatible with my Off-Ramps.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer |
"What's an Aberdeen? I also mod the Northstar transport and DAC. Really excellent with mods, but the Off-Ramp I2S is still better. IMO, the Northstar Transport and DAC with my mods is the best CD playback that I have heard. Very close to computer-driven audio. For folks that dont want to mess with computers, this is what I recommend. The Northstar transport has I2S output at 24/192, compatible with my Benchmark DAC-1 and the Northstar DAC has I2S input compatible with my Off-Ramps."
Aberdeen is the one who fixed the NorthStar DAC for you.
http://www.aberdeencomponents.com/
I really doubt your Off-Ramp I2S is better. |
Fixed what Northstar DAC for me? I have modded four of them and never had Aberdeen fix any of them to my knowledge....
You are entitled to your doubts. This is what my dealers and customers tell me and my own ears doing A/B's in my reference system. Why dont you contact Bill at Bauls Audio in Mesa, AZ? baulsaudio@cox.net
Better yet, just wait and read the 6-moons review.
Steve N. |
Steve look here:
The unbeatable transport period,.
And Bill Bauls is intrested in checking it out,.
Anthony |
Also the Maui Mods, Northstar Beats all computer driven audio, hands down.
"what is a Aberdeen?", LOL! |
10-06-06: Fishpatrol
24/96 vs. Music Hall CDP: assuming you're playing back lossless audio on the PC, the potential's there. Would you be using the CDP as your DAC?
Fishpatrol...I can use the CDP as my DAC??? If I can, I think I would start there and see what that sounds like. How would I use the CDP as my DAC??? |
I bought my MacBook to use as a wired USB to Wavelength DAC music server and portable PC.
It will run both Apples's OS and Windows, which to me was a plus.
As my first experience with a MAC, it's been a pleasent one.
A plus is that it's quite silent.
Replacing a $6K CDP with my PC and Wavelength Brick Silver, I'm very happy with my PC based system! |
Fishbonegt, You could use your CDP as a DAC if it has a digital input. I'm not saying "most" do or "most good CDPs" do. If your current CDP doesn't have a digital-in, maybe your next one could? |
