PC based system, questions and clarifications...
This is long, I apologize….Currently I own a SBv3 which is in my main listening room upstairs which is connected via Ethernet to my three computers in the basement. While I like the SB I do not like it’s interface and the sound quality is not as good as what I heard at the recent RMAF here in Denver (particularly JA’s demonstration of high res 24/88.2 verses 16/44.1 vs 128K mp3, a real eye opener as to the bad sound quality of mp3 material). So I want to set up a PC server based system for quality reasons and for ready access to my music. I have 800+ CD’s and it is to hard to access and find them. I have spent the better part of the last 4 days doing online research but still a few questions remain. Please bear with me as this thread may help others doing the same thing.
First the PC. Initially I read that an Apple based systems were far superior to an XP based system do to the kmixer problems, difficulty in setup, etc. The pluses were that one had much more software to choose from (I have used EAC for several years, properly configured). The Apple iBook G4 was a good choice according to some (thank you Wavelength) as it has no fan (very quiet) and all it takes it about 5 system changes to get it working properly to output to a USB DAC. The iBooks’s downside is limited software (I dislike iTunes as I have to use it with my iPod and I do not want this to be my primary interface). Now I see that a Vista (Home Premium version??) equipped notebook is now perhaps a better solution. Specifically why? And what system changes to Vista should be made to output a file to a USB DAC (eg., Benchmark DAC1 USB or Bel Canto e.One Dac 3)?
Ripping software: Which software for the Vista based PC or the Apple based PC is best for ripping CD’s? As I indicated above I have used EAC in the past. It’s downside is poor metadata. How is dbpoweramp for quality ripping (absolutely no errors will be tolerated period!)? dbpoweramp’s metadata is better (Gracenote, is the reason I presume). For the Apple based PC what is best? I am an Apple dumb as I have always used Intel, Microsoft based PC’s, even building them in the past, so any help from an Apple standpoint is appreciated. Also
DACs: I only want a DAC that employs a USB interface. That much I know for sure (to many jitter problems to overcome with other interfaces). I read that not all DAC’s do USB correctly. Which do and which do not and why? So far the ones under consideration are the Benchmark DAC1 USB, Bel Canto e.One Dac3 and the Wavelength Brick. The Bel Canto is on the high end of the price spectrum for me and I prefer not to go there if possible. Although JA at the RMAF was running his iBook G4 to a Metric Halo Mobile I/O ULN-2 (firewire converter, he said) then into a Bel Canto e.One Dac3 (review upcoming). It sounded fantastic!
Storage for ripped files: I want a 1TB unit. While RAID 5 would be nice it’s more expensive, so I may forgo that option. The unit must be absolutely silent as possible as it may reside in my listening room. I would like it to have an Ethernet, USB, and firewire. To much to ask?? For example the LaCie Ethernet Big Disk is only Ethernet and USB 2.0, however the LaCie Big Disk Extreme+ has Firewire and USB 2.0 but no Ethernet. I may just have the disk sit on the wired Ethernet network. I may decided to rip from my XP based PC’s in the office to the external HD in my listening room but use an iBook G4 as the interface in the listening room. Are LaCie disks quiet? Do they have fans? Are there better/other ones to consider?
That is all for now. Thanks in advance for your input.
