2. digital
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music server setup questions

I am going to get a computer and rip all my CDs lossless and use the computer as the transport. I've no idea how to approach this. My dac is old - Theta ProBasic IIIA. I can get a computer with a digital output that plugs into that, or I could get a USB dac and replace my old Theta. Any thoughts on that? Also, any reason to go PC vs mac, and what software will I need/use (this computer will mainly be for music but I will also do basic web browsing and word processing, nothing fancy)? Haven't been on forums in many years. Rest of system is Simaudio P5 pre, dreadnaught II amp, snell xa90ps speakers. Thanks in advance. -Dave
dbw1

Showing 1 response by riffer

riffer
362 posts
 
Least expensive to get started:

Your DAC has AES/EBU, RCA and Toslink inputs. The simplest way, depending on the outputs of your computer, is to use the RCA or Toslink directly, or a USB-to-S/PDIF Converter to connect the USB to the RCA.

Playback software: Foobar (free)
Ripping: Exact Audio copy (EAC)(free)

What I use:

I have a Slimdevices Transporter feeding my DAC (Audio-gd Master 7) through the BNC coax. Playback software is Logitech Media Server. I prefer LMS because I can easily setup playlists on the fly, and don't need access to the computer; working through the remote and Transporter's screen.

Ripping: dBpoweramp. I did all my initial rips with EAC, but I do all the new ones with dBpoweramp. This is because it allows me to easily embed album art in FLAC files; not a need I anticipated when I ripped my CD collection many years ago. Many devices and especially DLNA servers have a tough time picking up album art for flac files unless it is embedded.

I don't know much about the Sonos etc. as I have been perfectly satisfied with the Squeezebox stuff, and it is still generally available used.
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