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Thinking about Laptop system - Newbie Questions

As an old timer (listening to 50% vinyl/50% CD), all this music server stuff is very new to me, but I am somewhat computer literate. I was thinking about building a nice little laptop based music server. Thinking about either a Logitech Transporter or Squeezebox Duet with separate DAC. I have a wireless router close enough to the 2 channel system so I can go either wireless or Ethernet.
Laptop is Toshiba with 4 Gb RAM, 340 Gb HD. I would use a stand-alone HD to store music.
So, I have a few questions: Transporter vs. Duet/DAC?
What format to store music? WAV, FLAC, etc.?
Can I still use the laptop while playing music?
Any other helpful hints?

Sorry for all the newbie questions. I am doing as much research as I can before I jump into this.

Thanks for any info.
smholl
richard_stacy
686 posts
 
ckoffend-how does the duet sound through the dcs vs the transport through the dcs stack?
ckoffend
684 posts
 
In response to above Q directed to me: For a while I ran a Esoteric X-03-SE through the DCS upsampler and DAC, but most of the time I just ran it direct.

I ended up getting rid of the Esoteric (though it is a terrific CDP, one of the best I have owned). I would say the Esoteric through the same DCS equipment was slightly better than the Duet. But, as is noted, I sold it and have gone a long time without a CDP (though I am looking right now for another one - Suggestions?).

In the past few years I have had a lot of good digital (Resolution Audio, Wadia, Audio Aero, Esoteric, EMM Labs, now DCS) and I am hard pressed to find a SIGNIFICANT improvement by these players over the Duet into the DCS. The convenience of it is just wonderful.

As a reference, I have run several good preamps in this system set-up (BAK, Cary, Aesthetix, Jeff Rowland, Krell). The speakers have pretty consistently been Watt/Puppy 5.1s and the amplification has been mostly Krell FPB 300-C (just offered as a reference to get a better feel for the sound I like and my basis).
richard_stacy
686 posts
 
thanks ckoffend. we have smilar taste. i use a krell fpb600c and wp7's. my front is much more humble as i have not gotten around to moving up. i still use my old theta casanova as a prepro and run my duet to a digital in. the system doubles as a theater with watch surrounds and center. good to hear your satisfaction with the duet/dcs combo. it supports my belief that we have reached the point where that type of configuration is the ideal digital source. not perfect yet, but ideal. thanks again for the reply and apologize if i have gotten off topic ...
smholl OP
190 posts
 
Well, I decided to go with a Squeezebox Duet and Cambridge Dac Magic to start my music server adventure. It should give me a good base to start with. Now need to get a nice HD and back-up to store my tunes.
Thanks to all for supplying some great info.
2chnlben
595 posts
 
Smholl.

You're going to love it. Here's what I know about the Duet from experience...

Ultimate Duet Settings:
Replay Gain – (off)
Turn on Audio – (always on)
Crossfade –( none)
Smart Crossfade – (none)
Crossfade Duration – (0)
Volume Control – (100% fixed)
Volume Adjustment – (none)

The best codec is Flac because the SB Duet supports Flac natively and allows you to use the fast-forward and rewind functions on the controller (with wav files those functions do not work).

Also, I highly recommend ripping with EAC, which you can download for free. I will be more than happy to "walk you through" the initial EAC setup.

Additionally, a good external linear power supply can be added as a tweak – check this out.

Good luck....and report back on how you (love) your new
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