Getting into Hi Res

[peter312]

I have been experimenting with some high resolution downloads (96khz 24bit) and despite only being able to listen to them on my Dell PC or via an iPod (having down sampled them to 48khz 24bit), I am liking what I am hearing.

I therefore would like to find a way to incorporate hi res into my main hi-fi system. The Dell is in the same room (and can't conveniently be repositioned) and is too noisy to be on when listening to music. My initial thought is to buy a Mac Mini (the latest one as it apparently has some good audio specs) and a DAC of some sort to go with it. I could control this from my iPad or iPhone, without the need for a screen most of the time.

Is a Mac Mini good value or am I going to get just as good a result from something like a Lenovo Q180? Perhaps I should build some kind of media server (although it would be for audio only) - it would not be the first PC I'd built.

I see there are a number of squeezebox/streamer fans on here - streamers, NAS drives and networks seem to be more a more complicated way to achieve the same outcome. Am I missing a trick?

As you can see, I am a complete novice in this regard and I would really appreciate some input from those of you that have already taken the plunge.

Whilst the Mrs is a Spotify fan, I can take it or leave it (I prefer my music lossless rather than lossy).

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Cheers

[Welder]

http://store.voyage.hk/

Cheap, silent, various control options dealt with at some depth on the MPD site.

[Ali Tait]

Squeezebox Touch is a good way to start.

[sq225917]

Mac mini and Mdac. Job done. No mess, no fuss, just works. And if you are an audiophile paranoid you can something like audiovarna+ to iTunes fOr playback.

[AlfaGTV]

I would say the MacMini is excellent value for money, if you can accept stepping into the Apple-world.
For me, t'was the best decision ever.. No more fecking about with updates for this, for that, and of course whatever app needs bug fixing... No Antivir to mess your computer up, no updates, scans etc etc.

I use mine as a music device only, it has got an SSD harddrive and gets its music from a simple NAS. It hasn't got anything connected, other than power, ethernet and an M2Tech HiFace. It is 100% controlled via the iPad, using the excellent Mocha VNC Lite to control it's desktop when necessary, which it actually is from time to time. I use Amarra (or BitPerfect sometimes) as these allow Apple's own Remote app to work like a charm, aside from letting the music flow in a most pleasing manner... :)
I could actally live, quite pleased, with the audio from the optical output also, but limits you to 24/96.

And if you please, runing Spotify on it is not an issue. This can also be remoted using for example SpotRemote.
While i completely agree with you on the pref. for uncompressed music, Spotify sound really good given good careful management of the audio!

Quite recently i purchased a Marantz NA7004 Network Audio Player out of curiosity, and that sounds quite remarkable! I havent had it for long enough, to say it betters the Mac as a music maker, but it definently has its advantages and drawbacks also!

My 5 cents.. ;)
Regards Mike

[peter312]

Thanks for the replies, especially Mike for the more detailed answer.


I could actally live, quite pleased, with the audio from the optical output also, but that has been removed from the very latest model of the Mini.

I hadn't appreciated that the latest Mini didn't have an optical output. In that case, what output do you use to get 96khz 24bit files to play?

Many thanks

[AlfaGTV]

Apoligies, got it mixed up with some other model, perhaps the MacBook Air.
Apple has dropped the optical digital out on some of the latest models!
But as i mentioned, the M2Tech HiFace, Musical Fidelity V-Link (II) , Hegel HD2 etc, etc gives you those possibilities. Of course thera are numerous USB DAC's that offers higher resolution outputs also.

Please note though, i prefer the HighFace, as it is only a USB-SPDIF(electrical) converter that doesnt tax the Mini for as much current from the USB interface as some others. (Hegel HD2)

Regards Mike

[daytona600]

anyone know of any good hirez download sites 24/96 24/192 , ideally free with Decent music not the usual audiophile Guff you get on all the sites

[AlfaGTV]

Free, no.. But you usually get what you pay for... ;)
I like hdtracks.com, just give your address and set US as country, works fine when paying by PayPal.
Good selection of music, both new and oldies.

Regards Mike

[daytona600]

HDtracks has the biggest range downloaded a few before but still lacking
how about something like spotify or Itunes with Hirez and a couple of million songs
Dont mind paying if the choice is good
probably because the man in the street is happy with MP3s

[Rambaud]

I bought a mac mini a couple of weeks ago as a backup for my macbook pro.

I added a SSD as a second hard drive and more RAM.

I use it with a USB Dac to play hi-res files (24/192) with Audirvana software instead of iTunes.

[tubehunter]

I find these to be excellent

http://uk.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio_Cards/Xonar_Essence_One/

[AlfaGTV]

Fully agree tubehunter! I own one, and sq is excellent!
/Mike