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What is the function/pupose of music plyr/streamer

Sorry guys another neophyte here with a simple question.
I am going to set up a Computer sourced link into my audio system (sooner or later, once I figure this out).
I "think" I have the basics of the chain down; Computer, Bridge/Converter, DAC, Amp. However I don't understand what advantage a music player/streamer would afford me.(I will be using a MAC and using mostly Apple Lossless files). So this invites 3 questions for me.
1. Why do I or would I need a Music player or Music Streamer? (they are the same, right?)
2. When used, where should it go in the chain?
3. While these devices often list support for many different kinds of audio files, almost none actually say they support Apple lossless, is this because they don't or they just don't want to spell it out?
Thanks for your patience with some of us new/old (double jeopardy) guys.
But any info would be much appreciated.
246810
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
"Steve- Is it just Airplay you have an issue with or the whole idea of storing and playing using apple lossless?"

Airplay is flawed and ALAC is also flawed IMO.

It's time you updated that system of yours. Throw all of that stuff away or give it away if you can. I have not had this kind of stuff since college, and I graduated in 1976. There is plenty of great chinese-built used equipment on Audiogon for cheap.

I would think "keep it simple". No preamp, no CD player. Just a computer, preferably a Mac Mini, a good USB DAC and some monoblock amps. Then get some decent speakers like used Maggies, Vandersteens etc..

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Steve, in what way are ALAC and Airplay 'flawed'? As near as I can tell, you can reconstruct a bit-accurate copy of the original file using ALAC. or FLAC, for that matter.

Correct me if I'm wrong. My airport express has NO decoding codex resident. My computer streams a bitstream which will look similar if ALAC or MP3-160.
The bitstream will be passed along to a DAC thru optical or as analogue thru RCA......SO that means the AE has a DAC? I know clocking is poor and jitter an issue.

I like the Keep It Simple, but would change to a Firewire DAC in preference to USB.
246810 OP
11 posts
 
Steve,
Thanks for responding.
So, I'm going to guess you use FLAC.
Can you recommend a s/w app that allows my mac to play well with FLAC?
Only problem is I promised my girlfriend I would load her Ipod if I could rip her CD's. Does that mean I'll have to rip 2 different times?
I like the simple, I didn't know I could exclude the preamp with any form of pure amp, I'll have to dig into that.
Again thanks for taking the time to share your expertise.
loomisjohnson
1,950 posts
 
246, according to logitech the squeezebox touch does play apple lossless as well as flac (you are correct that they are different codecs). i've been using my touch for a week or so now and i've become a fan--it's quite addictive once you get past the setup hassles.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
"Steve, in what way are ALAC and Airplay 'flawed'?"

1) It is not just using networked data transfer, it uses the audio stack so it is mucking with the data with mixers and volume control etc..
2) compresses the data to ALAC

Firewire is no panacea. USB interfaces done right beat Firewire.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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