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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
 
Its not. I have been in the IT industry for 12 years. Not presently. Also, before and during these years..and even now, I have involved myself with everything imaginable when it comes to PC's, internet, networking, wireless, and hardware/software. I am content with encoding standars like APE, FLAC, and other lossless protocols. Its good enough for me. You can download anything available on the internet. No matter what standard. The part that needs focus is what you do with it from the PC to the DAC to the AMP. Transfer of data through USB is only problematic if you are trying to stream in real time from the PC to any other device using high res files. Crap, I gtg for now.
pettyofficer OP
462 posts
 
USB can carry 24/96-24/196 High Resolution Digital? What happens when these High Resolution Digital Files are compressed? Any Music Servers that provide their own Hardware for Downloading High Resolution Digital Files off of the Internet, bypassing the need for a PC? Can the same Music Server rip copies of High Res. Disks as well as CD?
Can this same Music Server provide XLR Digital Output to an external DAC via 16/44.1,24-96, and 24/196? Sorry, but I have to ask this: what exactly is the difference between a Music Server, Transporter, and a PC? So many overlapping functions-so much confusion!
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?
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