2. pc-audio
  3. 1158683913

Life is complicated, lets keep it simple.

My wife and I are venturing into "PC audio". We are neophytes for both PC and Audio. With regards to the "Audio" we have a good simple system consisting on Paradigm V100's and Plinuis amp (8200) and intregrated amp (8200) driving them. We have a simple harmon kardon cd player we use for the source. We have recently purchased a Mac pro and are about to create a itunes library with our current CD collection. Hear are my questions:
1. What is the simplest/best way to "carry" an album/music from our computer to the stereo without having to burn a CD. Would a ipod or some other type of portable hard drive interface with the stereo to create very good sounding "cd quality music"? Could I load this portable hard drive on the computer, walk it to the stereo and plug it in to have music.
2. What is the best format to record albums onto itunes. Loseless may be best but is too big. Is apple losless the holy grail? If quality is the issue do I bite the bullet and buy lots of HD for only lossless formats or will apple losless be good enough.
tas5fceb
tas5e87f9
2 posts
 
I wanted to thank all for the quick and informative replies.
tas5e87f9
2 posts
 
I have reviewed some of the products discussed above and have refined my question a bit. Lets say I want to turn off my computer yet still want music. Is there a solution for simply taking a portable hard drive (it could be a I-pod like device which allow a interface for selecting the song to be played) and simply plugging it into my stereo. In short, the idea of wireless transmission seems to get away from the solid wired system I think would create the best sound. I also do not want to sit in front of my computer in my office to select songs which will play in my living room. What do you all propose. I looked into the sonus system but seems a bit expensive, almost like buying another computer dedicated to my stereo, Not exactly what I picture. The additional issue of using a ipod with a simple $19.95 RCA plug is that it most likely will not fully utilize the quality of my stereo and also does not play the lossless compression formats I may use. Sorry to be so much trouble but when I look to my computer friends, they seem quite pleased at listening to their Def Leopard from the ipod they hooked into the back of their boom box. I may not be quite as happy.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
There are several options for a computer 'remote' that utilizes bluetooth. The new MacBooks incorporate them, but I've read their interface is not that good. There are others, perhaps someone else might suggest one. I know there are a few Palm Pilots that you can get remote software for. I don't use a remote but the idea is appealing to me as well, so I'll be curious to hear some input on this.

Marco
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,760 posts
 
The Salling Clicker software runs on Bluetooth enabled Palm and Windows Mobile PDA's, as well as some Bluetooth phones, and will control iTunes remotely, as well as lots of applications on your computer. I haven't used it but it's been highly recommended to me.
http://www.salling.com/
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Have you considered buying Mac Mini and a cheap/second hand keyboard, monitor and mouse? (many people throw away old keyboards and monitors). I use a dedicated Mac Mini to run my four CD mega changers....overkill maybe but it works and I can surf the net if I want to dig up more info on the artist I am listening to.
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