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Recommendation for Computer/Digital

So I've been doing research into various solutions to my issue- most of my music is on my computer. I don't have a pretty low-end CD player right now and instead of spending money on a decent player I have been exploring computer based audio solutions- Squeezebox, Roku, new soundcards (M-Audio etc.). I have a laptop and its internal soundcard is all I have.

I've been getting caught up in the idea of a squeezebox right now, and with the cost of mods it's getting out of my range. I'm looking to spend up to $500 max. An M-Audio transport, which is the basis of the Red Wine Audio USB Select solution (a $500 solution) costs $99. I'm having a huge problem in figuring out how the variety of solutions compare and where the most bang for the buck lies. I've even been using my XBOX as my digital music player for awhile now.

My request- your views on the best way to get great sound in my price range from a computer with a crummy soundcard. Personal experiences are greatly appreciated. Is a stock Squeezebox a good thing? It seems that all the raving is from the modified end.

My system so far: I have a McIntosh MA500 Amp and B&W Nautilus 803D speakers (I think that's the right Nautilus model- I'm away from home for several months for work). Any suggestions to improve that would also be appreciated. I'll admit I bought without knowing too much- my wife's ears were the main reason we ended up with what we did, even though I'm more of the music lover.

Thanks for any responses.

Nick
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artizen65's avatar
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artizen65
273 posts
 
Nick,

I think I would go with the SqueezBox to start at $250.00 I don't feel you can go wrong. I chose the Roku but I am going SPDIF out to my MF Tri-Vista DAC. I have heard the analog out of the SqueezBox although it has been a while. I feel that the SB is better than the Roku in this area. Instead of modding the SB I feel that when funds permit you can go with a standalone DAC fed by the SB. I haven't heard any of the USB DAC's but that is also an option.

Michael
chug
4 posts
 
Not a recommendation... but I'm happy with the Roku Soundbridge. I have the M1000 w/SPDIF going to a Musical Fidelity A3.24 DAC and A3 integrated amp. In addition, I am also streaming WMAs and mp3s with Yahoo! Music Unlimited. The DAC doesn't do much for mp3s, but the WMAs sound just as good as CDs.
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atmasphere
11,837 posts
 
We've been running a computor-based transport for several years. It is based on Linux, and so does not crash like a lot of Micro-based approaches.

Data is read from the CD drive at a multiple of the playback. If a bit cannot be read, a variety of software and hardware techniques are used so that the bit stored on the hard drive is actually correct. The data on the drive is then buffered through memory and sent to the data output, jitter-free, as the Linux kernal is configured for zero-latency.

We used to have to work to find decent audio cards, but now that there are (finally!) DACs available that use USB inputs, we have a fairly easy connection.

Its a nice setup, and the process will run on a Pentium III, so it is not expensive. We couldn't figure out how to market it and never have, but the process is solid and performs as well as any transport we have seen.

Once you operate a transport that uses a hard drive, its hard to go back to one that does not! Hard drives get rid of all sorts of problems and ultimately you can get much better sound. Plus its cheap.

Another nice thing about this approach is that the process can be run remotely and wireless, so you can use the squeezebox as a remote interface. If you add a mouse, keyboard and monitor, the machine is Linux and can cruise the web effortlessly with no viral problems. It can store 1000 CDs. I am convinced that this is the future for CD playback, or for that matter, all digital formats.
karavite
36 posts
 
Can I jump in here please?

I am also looking for a $500 ish solution to use a Mac iBook g4 as a music server (no fans on this puppy and I have a few extra 300 GB very quiet firewire drives as well), but I am confused about a few things. First, what about jitter? I read about it, but is it a problem I need to consider? From what I have read (or comprehended) only a USB DAC is "jitter free"? Alas, seems USB DACs are either $200 or $1000+ - nothing in the middle no? Should I be jittery about jitter (sorry, that was a bad pun) or at my $ point am I dreaming? Also, am I letting super discrete audiophiles scare me off? I have a decent system and it sounds very nice to me - HH Scott 222 integrated, Rotel 1070 CD player, Omega Super 3R speakers and decent interconnects, speaker cables and stands. Sure, this isn't the pinnacle of audio, but it sure sounds better than most (everyone notices right away) and the thing I do not want to have happen is for a music server solution to not sound as good as what I have now with the CD player. Advice and knowledge appreciated in advanced! Thanks.
ckorody
643 posts
 
Don't sweat the jitter. You remove so much grunge by dumping the electro-mechanical-optical complexities of real time playback that what's left is simply not an issue for most folks.

There are some USB DACs in the middle, notably from Scott Nixon. SB2-3 is the other standard choice. There is a clear upgrade path available starting with a $20 linear power supply.

Since you are a Mac guy and will be using iTunes and ripping Apple Lossless, the choice between USB and SB really comes down to lifestyle and convenience. USB is great if you want it in the room where the system and the computer are. If you want to wire the house or access the computer from another room, SB has the advantage as it is a network device.

Either way you are looking at plug and play. The big effort will be ripping your CDs.

Have fun
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