2. pc-audio
  3. 1120582298

Building a Music server

Hi All,

I am building a music server. My first one. So I need your experienced help in correcting my obvious and not so obvious mistakes.

I see a lot of advantages for using a computer as an input device to my receiver. Suddenly we are protected from format changes, Technology expiry etc.

My Design Objectives are:
=================

Store, CD Ripped and downloaded music with minimal losses.
Expandable Disk based storage with initial space of 120GB (I have a spare IDE)

Download and store music and video. So the machine should be connected.

A clean, small preferably touch pad screen for controlling the UI. Also a wireless control for the Keyboard and mouse.

CD Qualuity, Music output to my receiver.

Play CDs and DVDs (Music and Video to be channeled to my receiver.)

Fairly fast (Not for gaming). Tuned for good sound and video.

Sleek looking, so that it can fit into my music system.

Under $500

I am planning on an used P-IV machine with 512 MB RAM. Upgrade the sound and video cards. Add an USB card if required. Run a good flavor of Linux. An LCD screen (12").
An external sound processor of the likes of,

Stereo-Link 1200
Waveterminal U24
Edirol UA-1X
M-Audio Sonica
Yamaha DP-U50 CAVIT External Audio Soundboard

These are my initial thoughts. I am waiting for your comments. So please pen your thoughts.

Thanks
Boni
bonigv
enrosen3d21
1 posts
 
I have a minimac and am looking into adding digital sound output. Main objective is listening to high quality audio on home stereo (HK surround reciever with coax and TOslink in). I do not have a separate DVD/player at the moment, so getting dolby + dts out would be nice. I was planning on getting a m-audio transit, but having second thoughts thanks to youguys.

If I knew the sound quality was good enough, I'd get this:
http://www.difusi.tv/hardware/powermini/index.html
- looks good, but more important: will it sound good?
Anyone?

Bonigv: where did U get the u24 for 159?
edesilva
768 posts
 
You might want to check over at http://www.avsforum.com in the Mac part of the HTPC forum, but I seem to recall folks have had issues with getting Mac devices to pass 5.1. The Waveterminal does not--2CH only. The difusi looks like a nice box... Wondering when someone was going to do that. Never heard one tho'.
bonigv OP
19 posts
 
http://www.floridamusicco.com/proddetail.asp?prod=u24repack&partner=froogle

Current Price is $145
bonigv OP
19 posts
 
Edesilva,

I remember you telling something about extending the USB cable. I am thinking of shifting my machine to another room and run an USB cable to the U24. Do you have any syggestion for this ?

Thanks
Boni
edesilva
768 posts
 
I used something like this:

http://www.cablesforless.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=680

without noticeable degradation...
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