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If you were setting up a music server today ...

I started, some years back, with iTunes, streaming to an Airport Express attached with optical cable to a DAC. I then moved on over to a Squeezebox, employing the Logitech Media Server on my Mac, with a Squeezebox Touch hooked up via coax to a number of DACs.

My question: I've been thinking of setting up a whole new server, starting from scratch, hoping to get it right from the first, ripping the CDs anew (yuck!) with better software than iTunes. I still want to be wireless.

Knowing what you know today, what would you recommend for a Mac-based server. Ripping software. Music playing software. The thing it would stream to to get it to the DAC. Anything else I'd want or need.

I haven't yet gotten into high res music, so I'm talking here about a server for my CDs, but I'd welcome a system that might allow me to progress into the high res stuff down the line, though that is not at all a priority.

What matters is good sound from a Mac-based wireless system -- and something I can live with for the long haul, as I really don't want to rip that whole damn collection a third time!

Thanks for any help you might give a boy on this complex front.

-- Howard
hodu
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
For wireless, you are stuck with Sonos, Squeezebox etc., so the only improvements you can make are by reclocking or having a competent modder improve these devices. The advantage of reclocking is you get a separate dedicated high-quality power supply driving the reclocker, which contains the new master clock. This is difficult to do with mods. The clock is better and the power is cleaner so you get lower jitter. The Synchro-Mesh is such a device and used often with Sonos, Squeezebox, Apple TV and AirPort Express.

The downside of wireless is that you will be limited to 24/96 files.

If you want hi-res file capability, you will need either wired network or USB interface. Both can have longer connections. With USB you can use Icron USB extender to go longer than 16 feet.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
tboooe's avatar
tboooe
1,009 posts
 
Hey guys...I am not an expert by no means but why is everyone against wireless? I have been using my Sonos for over 7 years without any problems. I also have some HTPCs that I use to stream 1080P movies wireless as well. Again no issues. I am using Wireless N and I expect by using Wireless AC that throughput will be even better.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Wireless has many advantages. It keeps noisy computer electrically isolated and physically far from audio system. It also makes other factors like type of computer or playback program irrelevant. Instead of spending money on fast computers, a lot of memory, SSD drives, special playback programs and special power supplies - spend money on reclocker, that Steve recommended. You can use your computer for other tasks, as I do, and it won't make any difference to sound.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,322 posts
 
Agree with Kijanki. Go wireless if you can. Only downside is bandwidth might be limited in some cases with high res files and lots of network activity. I have a very active wifi network in my house and no problems with CD res .wav files.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,322 posts
 
meant to say throughput may be limited above, not bandwidth, which is not a factor in transmitting digital data result of a bottleneck resulting from network throughput would be occasional delays in playing, nothing relating to sound quality however.
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