Computer based music collection ??

I have my entire 4K cd collection encoded as MP3. There are many different ways to get your digital music to your audio system. I personally use the Sonos wireless music system to stream music to several locations in my home. In my main setup, I have the digital music going through my DAC, though I have also run it straight to my preamp. However, I still keep a small stash of cds when I want to critically listen. Because of the size of my music collection, i am forced to encode in a lossy format (mp3). Others have encoded in lossless formats such as FLAC. Theoretically, if you have your music in lossless format and run it through a high quality DAC you should have CD quality. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Hi thanks for the response,You need to run it thorough a dac?
Is there a place were I can go and read up on this and are there any brand names of products I can look at on the web.
Thanks

A good soundcard will have digital out and audio out. Audio Out can connect directly to a line level pre amp. Digital Out will need a DAC then into the pre. Ok that was the short explanation. Like most things that have to do with computers and HiFi there are tons of configurations and options.

A good place to start would be in the PC Audio Forums here and also go to Audio Asylum and spend some time in the Digital-PC Audio Forum there too.

I sold my CDP (Cary 303/300) this year. I now only listen to Vinyl exclusively. I bet my LPs last longer than your hard drive.

Btstrg:

I have been looking into this, over the past year.

I actually purhased an Olive Opus when they were first released. I ended up selling it, as I was disappointed in its playback via analog outputs. However, in all fairness, I was comparing a $3K unit that was a one-box 500gb storage and cd player/burner against my reference $5.5K cdp.

In the little time that I spent with the Opus, my interest really grew with having my music accessable throughout my home via hd storage on a network. This technology rocks!

In talking to a local dealer and expressing interest in Sonos, he did some research and recently became a Sonos dealer. In the short amount of time that he has been getting familiar with the Sonos system, he is reporting very impressive feedback. I should also state that my dealer sells really nice gear and has good ears

I am going to demo the Sonos tomorrow and will report back.

I intend to use an external DAC from the Sonos in my 2-channel listening room (this is how the dealer has been demo-ing, as well.) The other smaller systems in my home will be fed via the Sonos' analog RCA outputs.

...details to follow.