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What do I need to set up digital music server?

OK, I'm an old analog guy but have started to dabble in digital. I've been using my laptop up to this point but it just ain't the best way to go. What I want to do is this:

a. Have a box that will store a lot of music (hi res music).
b. It would have a user friendly, visual interface that would help me organize and retrieve music.
c. It would have to be able to RIP(?) CDs using my CD player.
d. It should have a remote control.
e. It should be compatible with my wifi network and work with services like Pandora.
f. It needs to be affordable, less than $1500.

I've been reading up on all this but I still have trouble with some of the "digital" terminology. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
winggo

Showing 3 responses by grey9hound

grey9hound
1,112 posts
 
i recommend
#1 a Dac , (I bought a Musical Fidelity M1 clic) on sale $499
#2 A usb to Spdif ConVerter (I purcahsed a Musical Fidelity V-Link2 ) open box for $79.00). Output to pre-amp or Ht receiver
#3 a pc with 500 gig to 2 Terabytes (you can get used or Refurbished for 100-500 depending on the parameters
#4 software such as Jrivermedia $49.00 to rip and play music. you can buy the jriver remote.
you can use Windows media player and buy a remote for it
-you can output video to your tv if it accepts pc input.
you can get good dacs for 200-5000
Pc for 100 and up
usb "a" to "b" cable and an optical or digital cable and you are set .
you can get all of this for less than $500 if you want ... just to start

DAC =$200
Usb to Spdif converter= $50+
PC =+100+
Window media Player =free
Cables $25+
grey9hound
1,112 posts
 
Right now I am using a Musical Fidelity V dac II
This is a necessity. Unless your Dac has An "Asynchronous" usb input. It does make a world of difference (The v-link2 , which is what i use also ), versus the standard usb output to a Dac that does not have an Asynchronous input DAC
grey9hound
1,112 posts
 
The Dell T5400 works pretty well as a server .($250.00on
Ebay) I am running JRivermedia. This 5400 has two dual core
2.66 gighz cpus. It will hold 8 gig of ram , but you need
to use windows 7 for it to recognize that much ram. My T5400
came with two 500 GIG SATA drives. It has a 970 watt
power supply. It will also run raid o,1,or 5 . Mine also
came with a ati 9250(I think ) with Vga out and S-video out
. I have it hooked to my Sony 55 inch TV. Theater mode works
great for large tvs on JRiver. I also downloaded and use the
Black on Black skin. Much easier on the eyes
Also i am using the Musical fidelity V-Link-2(a Usb to spdif
converter), which is not the best out there , but it isn't
the worst either. If you want good sound, you must use one
of these if your DAC does not offer Asynchronous USB input
I am running optical out of the V-Link to the optical input
of My Musical Fidelity M1 clic, then analog out to my pre.
It sounds pretty darn good. It has a lot more detail than my
Sony CDP-M555ES .Can be a little sharp if cranked up , but
it has pretty darn good bass , It could be better , but it
isn't bad. It just could be a little more prominent. It is
Taut and not at all Flabby.
I was able to get the M1 clic at a great price at Music
Direct (75 percent of off MSRP)
I would like to try the Arcam iRDAC.
Has anyone tried this DAC yet ?
Also curious to know if anyone uses the Digital Coaxial out
of the V-link instead of the optical out , and which you
like better.
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