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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
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 .
pardales
652 posts
 
MAC Powerbook G4 - running iTunes

Lacie 500GB-HD (Apple Lossless + AAC -- unplugged back-up)
Lacie 300GB-HD (Apple Lossless - Daily use)

HagUSB - USB to S/PDIF converter.

Altmann Attraction DAC
Altmann BYOB Integrated amp

Commonsenseaudio Lowther 2.8 Ambience (single driver) speakers

I have 285GB worth of music (900 albums) on my hard drives -- organized on
my laptop with iTunes. The whole collection is saved in both Apple Lossless
and AAC (for my 60GB Video iPod). The HagUSB takes the USB signal out of
my computer and converts it to coaxial S/PDIF which, via a Luminous Audio
Allegro Signature digital cable feeds my Attraction DAC which is then
connected to my Altmann amp via .5M of Luminous Audio Synchestra
Reference IC's.

I have not owned a traditional CD player for more than year and have been
using a computer as my digital front-end since the summer of 2004.
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Dell XPS 410 (Intel Duo 2 core )with Media Center and remote. I use WMA lossless ripped to HD and Foobar as the playback program. I run an optical out of the Dell's sound card to a Monarchy DIP 48/96, from there it goes to one of my NOS OS DACs by way of digital coax >> Promitheus TVC preamp>>Audio Sector Patek integrated>>Bob Brines FTA-2000s. I use a 42 inch plasma as a monitor for everything.
moserak
1 posts
 
I have many legal bootlegs (cd-quality) and other downloaded music stored on 500gb external hard drives and want to play them through my component system without the need for a computer or a component add-on that has hard drive space which I will never use. I saw one unit for 2k and connects via a ethernet connection. Does anyone know of any other components on the market that will let me do this...so I do not have to put my music through a regular computer. All music has been gained to 89db and has album art imbetted in the file/tag. Any advice is very appreciated. Thank you.
tboooe's avatar
tboooe
1,009 posts
 
Moser: look into Sonos or Slim Devices or Roku. All of these can wirelessly access your music stored on an external drive attached to your main pc.

I personally use the Sonos and could not be happier. This is a great solution if you want to distribute your music to more than one location in your home.

I hpe this helps.
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