Thinking about Laptop system - Newbie Questions

Smholl,

Some things to consider:

1) The SB Duet is limited to 24/48 natively (bit depth and sample rate).
2) The Transporter will support up to 24/96 natively.

High-rez PCM files are an exciting option for digital users (allowing for more information).

You can also go directly from your computer to a USB DAC and experience true 24/96 capabilities (I recommend that you check out Wavelength Audio's USB DACs here )

You can also build a server (with a streaming device like the Duet/Transporter) – but I would look for devices that will support at least 24/96 natively). Personally, I am going with the new PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC (PWD) because it will support up to 24/192 natively and it will also function as a server (once their forthcoming Bridge device becomes available).

I recommend going here to learn more about computer audio. Read up on the forums and don’t be afraid to post questions.

Good luck.

I recommend you forego the Squeezebox/Transporter route and just use a laptop, where you could choose your own software, preferrably more competent than Logitech's. You could get a Network Attached Storage to move the hard drive (the most noisy component on a computer) to another room, connected through your internet. The laptop -- or even better, fanless HTPC -- would use an external USB DAC directly to your sound system. The final component is optional; for convenience, you could get either an iPhone, or use a PDA, or one of those battery operated micro-laptops, or maybe even a good universal remote.

The laptop pulls music from your NAS music server, your phone/PDA controls acts as a remote control.

Because all hard drives eventually fail, make sure the NAS unit supports RAID.

Rakuennow- I like the suggestion of forgoing the Logitech devices, just using laptop and DAC. One problem I have is that where I use the laptop is across the room from the DAC. Would need to use a long cable. Also, my laptop has 3.5mm digital (optical) output. I could go Toslink into a DAC.

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.

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.