What do I need to set up digital music server?

Progress Report:

I downloaded dbpoweramp on the 24th and spent part of the afternoon setting it up and ripping a couple of CDs. Using my laptop I played the files back through the V-dac-II. Then I played the CDs using my CD player. The sound through the CD player was much better than the sound through my laptop. I am not too supprised about that. Hopefully, when I get a good player/server the sound will improve.

This is where I am at right now: I will use my laptop to RIP my CDs. The next step is to get a player/server and storage device. Now all I need is to find a player/server that does what I what it to at a decent price.

Audioengr, If one buys a real good, high quality player/server will one still need the reclocker? Where is the reclocker located in the system?

"Audioengr, If one buys a real good, high quality player/server will one still need the reclocker? "

I'm afraid so, if you want it to be as good or better than your CD transport.

"Where is the reclocker located in the system?"

If you are using USB, then its a USB converter like the Off-Ramp 5, located between the computer USB output and the DAC coax input.

If you are using Sonos, Squeezebox, Apple TV or a digital docking station, then its a reclocker like the Synchro-Mesh, located between this source device coax output and the DAC coax input.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Steve, do you recommend use of a reclocker between disk player used as transport and DAC?

Yes. Unless you have a megabuck transport, the Synchro-Mesh reclocker will improve things. Particularly if you use the Dynamo power supply and my BNC cable.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

The Dell T5400 works pretty well as a server .($250.00on
Ebay) I am running JRivermedia. This 5400 has two dual core
2.66 gighz cpus. It will hold 8 gig of ram , but you need
to use windows 7 for it to recognize that much ram. My T5400
came with two 500 GIG SATA drives. It has a 970 watt
power supply. It will also run raid o,1,or 5 . Mine also
came with a ati 9250(I think ) with Vga out and S-video out
. I have it hooked to my Sony 55 inch TV. Theater mode works
great for large tvs on JRiver. I also downloaded and use the
Black on Black skin. Much easier on the eyes
Also i am using the Musical fidelity V-Link-2(a Usb to spdif
converter), which is not the best out there , but it isn't
the worst either. If you want good sound, you must use one
of these if your DAC does not offer Asynchronous USB input
I am running optical out of the V-Link to the optical input
of My Musical Fidelity M1 clic, then analog out to my pre.
It sounds pretty darn good. It has a lot more detail than my
Sony CDP-M555ES .Can be a little sharp if cranked up , but
it has pretty darn good bass , It could be better , but it
isn't bad. It just could be a little more prominent. It is
Taut and not at all Flabby.
I was able to get the M1 clic at a great price at Music
Direct (75 percent of off MSRP)
I would like to try the Arcam iRDAC.
Has anyone tried this DAC yet ?
Also curious to know if anyone uses the Digital Coaxial out
of the V-link instead of the optical out , and which you
like better.