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Novice question about Internet Downloading.

I am currently using a Pioneer Universal Player(DV-58AV) with Space Tech Lab DAC, STL Headphone Amp, and Grado RS-1 Headphones. I am trying to gather information about Music Servers and downloading High Resolution off of the Internet. I am also interested in ripping my current CD collection onto Music Server Storage. I don't currently own my own personal Computer or I-pod, I am typing this via a Cybercafe account, not my Computer. Is there currently any combination of Computer/Music Server that can provide for Downloading of 24-bit/96kHz, and 24-bit/196kHz recordings off of the Internet-then store them as WAV files in a Music Server-then provide for Digital Balanced Output to a particular DAC for playback? I keep on hearing of WebSites that provide these High Resolution Recordings on the Internet, but USB will not carry these High Resolution recordings to an external Music Server. Is there a limitation on storing these type of recordings on the computers hard-drive alone? How are these High Resolution Recordings being Downloaded, Stored, and played back without using the Computers internal DAC or internal circuitry? Would it be better to modify a Computer with a high quality Balanced Digital Output to feed these Recordings to an external DAC? These are the questions that I need answered before I go the Music Server route. I don't want to end up like so many SACD Victims, spending thousands on the Hardware while being promised that tons of the Software is just around the corner. Please tell me that it wont end up being the same with Downloading these Higher Resolution Recordings.
pettyofficer
vandermeulen
191 posts
 
I'm not familiar with music servers per say. So I cant speak about what they can do independently of a dedicated PC. I know that a PC can do pretty much anything. More so than a dumbed down PC obviously. Which is a basically a music/data server. Post your question in the PC AUDIO section. Those big nerds will tell you if it is possible.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Call Neal. The simple answer is that he can configure a music server to be able to download hi0rez files and output a balanced digital stream to your DAC. It can also rip your existing CD collection to store on the hard drive and also stream the music to other network players around your home, in whatever format they can accept, in addition to the hi-rez output.
pettyofficer OP
462 posts
 
Thanks Swampwalker, will check it out. Yeah, I might be in the wrong Forum-sorry about that, Vandermeulen! I am just a plain Audiophile who is a little worried about the down sloping demise of CD, SACD, and DVD-Audio! Just what exactly is going to be left to listen to? I don't like being forced into Downloading, but what is going to be left?
vandermeulen
191 posts
 
Embrace the future pettyofficer. In this day and age, at the rate of technological advances, the Matrix will be upon us. You know...the movie.
pettyofficer OP
462 posts
 
Yeah.....like I was supposed to embrace the future of SACD, and DVD-Audio! Twice burned, three times shy! So why should I trust the next Con, Swindle, and Rip-off of the next Format! I have a loooong memory- all five minutes of it! You are going to have to really earn my trust on the next so-called technological advance! Untill I have a guarantee that Downloading isn't already outmoded, your not getting a penny of my money. I just can't burn money through five Formats as they evaporate from underneath me! I demand the same guarantee of long term viability, that I used to get with Records, Cassettes, 8-track,and CD. No more trick Formats, first you see it, Now you don't! Same with the Money, first you see it, now you don't!
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