2. pc-audio
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PC Based Audio - How?

I am hearing a lot of good things about PC audio as a replacement for conventional CD players. My question is threefold; first, what are the basic components I need to run a Mac laptop based PC audio system? Secondly, is it possible to simply feed the digital output from a Mac laptop (or MS Windows laptop) into my Krell HTS 7.1 processor for D/A conversion? Finally, any advantage/disadvantage using a laptop over a desktop for CD storage/playback? Any comments on equipment choice (say for a $2k budget), software and file ripping/storage formats would also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your advise.

Regards,

Marcus
mgattmch

Showing 2 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,754 posts
 
I use Windows Media Player to rip discs to lossless .wav format and as a music server on a Toshiba Vista PC. I use a Roku Soundbridge (~$200) with an outboard tube DAC (mhdt Paradisea)connected via standard RCA phono ICs to my audio system that also connects via a wireless WiFi connection to the remote laptop music server.

Use the similar music server program (not sure what that is though) to Windows Media Player that is provided on the MAc in a similar configuration and you will have a flexible and great sounding music server setup with sound that can play in the big leagues.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,754 posts
 
" I used to aspire to a dCS based CD player"

Me too. I'm glad I did some experimentation first to change my mind....
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