2. pc-audio
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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
photonman
96 posts
 
I would say as long as the music player caches the music before playback, wifi to connect storage to music server should be fine. so get a server with plenty of ram.

I am in the process of setting up a music server too. I am borrowing a 2010 mac mini to get my feet wet and I am loving it. Funny how our system evolves.

I am waiting for the new mac mini to be released this fall as it should have some nice improvements to what is an already quiet and cool running small form factor very capable machine. Combine this with a time capsule for backups and the remote control app and you got the full package. Data management/backups was one thing that scared me about a pc based hifi system but the time capsule makes this effortless. I am going to keep the mac pretty much stock except for some basic OS configurations to optimize it for a music server.

I have added:
QuteHD DAC
Audiophilleo USB converter
Audirvana Plus
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
As I said before increasing amount of RAM or caching music to RAM is useless with Wi-Fi. It is because computer doesn't transfer music at all, but instead transfers data compressed in packets. Data does not have timing. Timing is recreated on the other side of wireless bridge. Receiver has few second buffer to be always ahead.
eastein
97 posts
 
Here's an alternate option to consider. I am using a Sonos connect which can go wired or wifi connected to a Synology NAS drive for my lossless files. The interface is exceptional and it supports easy access to music services like MOG and Internet radio. Their relatively inexpensive powered speakers can be added for casual listening throughout your house. I like this more than the Mac Mini it replaced the only downside for me is I have to replace my USB DAC with one that is SPDIF capable.
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