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Your Music Server

This is a hot topic lately. There’s not a week that goes by without a how to question. My idea is one location and a lot of configurations. I feel it would be a big help to anyone wanting to set-up a Music Server.

Tell us about your Music server. Start at the Server/Computer and end up in your pre-amp. How does its sound compare to your other digital sources?

Mine was simple and easy to put together. The material list: From the local Apple Store I bought the following; Airport Extreme, AirPort Express and a AirPort Express Stereo Connection Kit with Monster Cables.

I had a PowerMac G5 in a home office 35 feet from my main rig. I also had an old un-used Audio Alchemy DAC. I installed the AirPort Extreme (wireless card) in my G-5, five-minute job. I plugged in the Airport Express (wireless receiver) into a power strip near my main stereo. Then I used the optical to optical cable in the Connection Kit for the connection to the DAC. I had to get the G-5 manual out for my Mac to configure it for Digital Out. The last step was to set-up the wireless connection in the G-5. I followed the instructions for the Airport Express. The whole project maybe 3 hour to do, which includes driving across town to the Mac store.

I had been using iTunes for burning ripped vinyl and CD’s to disc. ITunes found the new network and added a button for selection of source, computer speakers or stereo room.

How does it sound? Right out of the gate it sounded great. I have since changed the DAC to a CAL Alpha tubed DAC. The sound of the Server w/Alpha is very good but in many ways does not even come close to the music that comes out of my Esoteric DV-50. I use the Music Server when I’m reading or doing things around the house. For the present it will not replace my DV-50 but who know the future.

One more thing, when the microwave oven is being used it interrupters the wireless connection and I have to restart the music.
vegasears
joncourage
185 posts
 
- Sony Vaio running SlimServer 6.5
- USB-attached 500GB hard drive and backup 500GB drive
- About 7000 songs ripped mostly to FLAC using EAC eating up about 165GB
- Laptop cabled to a Linksys Wireless G Access Point
- SlimDevices Squeezebox 3 (wireless; no dropout problems at all)
- Marigo Apparition 5.8 s/pdif coax 1.5m
- Audio Note DAC 1.1 sig
- Audioquest Sky .75m RCA ICs
- Onkyo receiver
- Audioquest Rockefeller speaker cables
- Amphion Argon speakers on Atlantis Reference stands

Pretty simple ultimately, very effective imo.
herman
2,253 posts
 
Tboooe, 40,000 songs must be about 3,000 Cds. Most ripping services I see are about $1 a CD.

Ouch!!
tboooe's avatar
tboooe
1,009 posts
 
Herman..you are right. Thats another reason why I am going to keep my collection as is for a while until a new encoding technology comes along that blows away mp3 @ vbr 256. For now, I will use my Cary 306 to listen critically.
ecruz
402 posts
 
I have about 300 cd's on a G5 Mac, it sends the signal via ethernet (it could be wireless, but I already had the ethernet line) to a stock Squeezebox v.3, to a Behringer DEQ, straight in to a pair of Nuforce amps, to a pair of Vandersteen 3A's. I control the volume with the Squeezebox remote.

Down the road I'll add a DAC between the Behringer and the amps and I'll get the Squeezebox modded by Bolder Cables.

Everything stays in the digital domain until it leaves the Behringer. I have instant access to 2500 plus songs without leaving my seat. I love the convenience and the sound.

I tried the Olive Musica, but the Squeezebox works & sounds better in my system.
hi5harry's avatar
hi5harry
185 posts
 
Mine in a pc, with Windows XP Pro,twin seagate hard drives, powered by a silentmaxx german pc power supply. I use Adobe Audition, a lynx 2 card for burning vinyl.Out the usb with a Empirical Audio Off-Ramp Turbo 2 with battery power supply to a TRL modified Audiomeca Enkianthus x DAC to a Supratek Cabernet preamp.
I have owned a CEC 1 and 2 transport,a Goldmund, a Levinson 37, an Sonic Frontiers, and still have a Audiomeca Mephisto 2 transport. Dacs I have owned are Audiologic 24, Dosdon 217 mark 2 . I have heard the Zanden, EMM labs,Audio Aero Capital,Manley Slam,& MBL 1601 combo. I don't really know if my digital is as good as some ,but it's in the neighborhood .
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