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music server virgin needs answers

OK ... So I see in the new issue of Absolute Sound where some new USB music server gets a VERY high reccomendation. It's only $75 so I think this may be a fun thing to play around with ... but then I stop and think this: My son's Ipod has a LOT of great music on it, but I'm sure it's just stuff downloaded from either redbook CDs or off the internet.
So, since his original sources were not top notch audiophile sources, won't the quality of sound be limited to the atandard of the original source ? Anotherway of putting my question is this ... Would great sound only be obtained if the original downloaded source was of some form of super lossless quality stuff off some specialty website ? Thanks for setting me straight.
timtim
webnick
21 posts
 
Tim - the ripping software usually offers you some choice as to the kind of file you want to create (e.g., .wav, .flac, etc.). Be sure to research ripping software to find the right choice. Also, keep in mind that .wav files are usually not recommended for wireless transmission (by Sonos, for example).
johsti's avatar
johsti
102 posts
 
There are websites that offer high quality downloads, but for the money you are better off buying the cd and ripping it yourself. EAC (exact audio copy) is one of the more popular and respected ripping software and it's free.

DB Poweramp is also worth looking into. It will give you the detailed properties of each music file and tell you the quality of the encoding. IT will also do batch encoding should you want to encode lossless files to compressed files for portable use. They offer a free trial.

Now please tell me, who makes the $75 music server? ;)
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,216 posts
 
For $75 you only get a USB DAC, not a full music server.
timtim OP
84 posts
 
My apologies if i called it the wrong thing. The product is made by hirestech dot com. It is indeed a usb dac, and i just wish i understood how i could use it to my benefit.
timtim OP
84 posts
 
Let me see if I understand this any better: Using the EAC software, I rip my CDs onto my computer, then download them onto my Ipod and play the Ipod through the USB DAC into my system ??? Is this correct ?
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