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Thinking about Laptop system - Newbie Questions

As an old timer (listening to 50% vinyl/50% CD), all this music server stuff is very new to me, but I am somewhat computer literate. I was thinking about building a nice little laptop based music server. Thinking about either a Logitech Transporter or Squeezebox Duet with separate DAC. I have a wireless router close enough to the 2 channel system so I can go either wireless or Ethernet.
Laptop is Toshiba with 4 Gb RAM, 340 Gb HD. I would use a stand-alone HD to store music.
So, I have a few questions: Transporter vs. Duet/DAC?
What format to store music? WAV, FLAC, etc.?
Can I still use the laptop while playing music?
Any other helpful hints?

Sorry for all the newbie questions. I am doing as much research as I can before I jump into this.

Thanks for any info.
smholl

Showing 6 responses by richard_stacy

richard_stacy
686 posts
 
i am from the other camp and think highly of the logitech products as well as their interface. i use the sb duet to theta dac. i find very few hi rez music in my collection. it has changed the way i listen and enjoy music. as mentioned, back up your music! i lost one hard drive, fortunately it was a small portion of my music, 1000 songs or so.
richard_stacy
686 posts
 
another point...i have found zero difference in lossless formats or ripping tools. as a result, i chose the easiest to use which, as a pc user, is windows media player and windows media audio lossless files. many seem to think that eac and flac offer sonic benefits, i was unable to detect them in a very resolving system.
richard_stacy
686 posts
 
listenable is subjective. it is not a very good dac and i think most on this site would not find it listenable. the transporter is an all in one solution that includes a fine dac and clocking mechanism. there has been some threads here recently that discuss the additional benefits of the digital outs on the transporter (vs duet)as well. given what you have posted, that (transporter) would be my recomendation. full disclosure: i have a transporter listed but that has zero to do with my input. they are easy to sell so that has no bearing. good luck in your quest. it will be a real ear opener! it is an exciting time in audio.
richard_stacy
686 posts
 
ckoffend-how does the duet sound through the dcs vs the transport through the dcs stack?
richard_stacy
686 posts
 
thanks ckoffend. we have smilar taste. i use a krell fpb600c and wp7's. my front is much more humble as i have not gotten around to moving up. i still use my old theta casanova as a prepro and run my duet to a digital in. the system doubles as a theater with watch surrounds and center. good to hear your satisfaction with the duet/dcs combo. it supports my belief that we have reached the point where that type of configuration is the ideal digital source. not perfect yet, but ideal. thanks again for the reply and apologize if i have gotten off topic ...
richard_stacy
686 posts
 
welcome to the fun! i agree with 2chnlben, you will love it! also agree with his setting suggestions for the duet. as i posted earlier, i use a different ripping source and file form but either way you sill be fine. it comes down to what you are comfortable with, doubt you will detect an audible difference. enjoy!!
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