View Full Version : linux as the o/s in 2013
barry-potter
09-01-2013, 13:49
to all those linux users, what is the current state of play regarding the best distro? i have been reading about it as a platform on this site but things move on rapidly in computing. currently i use windows but would like to see if linux is better and less hassle - i can't get kernal streaming to work with my new usb/spdif converter when i could get it to work with my previous soundcard.
for me the best would also mean most convenient too ie plug and play if poss. i use cplay and spent a bit of time optimising windows for this but i have zero experience of linux except for a little play with ubuntu1.5 years ago and don't want to ponce about with it if i can avoid it.
richie60
09-01-2013, 17:15
Take a look at this thread on head-fi.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/561961/bit-perfect-audio-from-linux
As for the best distro to use, you will get a lot of different answers depending on people's preferences, but have a look at the latest from Linux Mint. I am happily using it with the cinnamon desktop and being Ubuntu based, I find it runs a lot faster than Unity on Ubuntu and you get the added bonus of the Ubuntu software repo's.
barry-potter
09-01-2013, 18:09
weirdly, after i posted my original question i went into foobar and to cut a long boring story short, k s was working despite untold unsuccessful previous efforts and me not actually doing anything at all. still quite fancy linux though.
had a look at the head fi thread and that is quite old...
richie60
09-01-2013, 19:41
It is an old thread, but still relevant. I myself have used Deadbeef and it makes a fine player.
Many Linux aficionados will tell you the OS is more stable than Windows and that these days it is very much 'Plug & Play'. Don't believe a word of it. I am a long time Windows user and about a year ago I was persuaded to try Linux after having experienced loads of issues when attempting to set up my PC to stream HD audio into my Caiman DAC. Having acquired free distros of both Ubuntu and Mint it quickly became apparent that Mint was by far the easiest to use but even so, it was not plug & play. What's more, if you ask 10 Linux users the same question you will get 20 completely different answers. I gave up in the end and armed with good advice from some knowledgeable bods on the forum I persevered with Windows, and as a result I've had a year of hassle free top quality streaming ;)
walpurgis
09-01-2013, 20:42
I've tried Linux a couple of times. A few years ago I put Ubuntu on an old PC I bought just to try it out and it all seemed to work OK, but I only used that for internet browsing. I recently picked up a copy of Puppy Linux on CD which I admit I have yet to try. It's a boot disc and the entire O/S is tiny and runable direct from the disc without firing up Windows at all. Must give it a whirl actually.
What's more, if you ask 10 Linux users the same question you will get 20 completely different answers
Yep, but all 20 may be correct. That what happ4ens when you have openness and choice.
Yep, but all 20 may be correct. That what happ4ens when you have openness and choice.
My old maths teacher used to say; "Mathematicians are lazy, they always seek the easiest solution to a solve problem" ;)
http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?p=662902
:)
Do you use your computer as a dedicated “audio server” or as a more general purpose machine connected to your hi-fi? What is your new USB/SPDIF converter?
The mpdPUP distro John (Welder) has linked to is probably more suited to “audio server” use. A little reading will give you a handle on current Linux distros:
http://mylinuxexplore.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computer_software.html#linux
http://distrowatch.com/
After that, just try out the LiveCD/DVD of whatever Linux distro takes your fancy. You can burn a CD or DVD sized iso to a DVD-RW. Or if your PC can boot from a USB memory stick most modern distros will have instruction on to get the LiveCD onto a memory stick etc.
Will it be “better and less hassle” than Windows? You can expect some post-install configuration, just as you would with Windows (things like graphics drivers and networking). But I'd suggest you can get excellent audio out of Linux with far less need for the sort of optimisation you've had to do with cplay and Windows.
That headfi link is relevant and I can also recommend the “deadbeef “ audio player.
USB and SPDIF might often be more easy to use with Linux as you do not need specific drivers as you do in Windows. I have used Suse Linux for many years at home and at work, and also Slackware at home. They work rock solid and brilliantly with audio as you will have full control over the OS and what you have running on the computer. In essence the important thing is to have as much CPU and RAM as possible dedicated to the audio and turn of all unneeded programs and processes to make the sound environment optimal. XBMC is a great tool for handling all your music, streaming and such. http://xbmc.org/ Linux Mint should cover your needs and will be easy to use.
Some specific Linux distros for audio and multimedia, and applications:
http://linux-sound.org/distro.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_audio_software#Distributions
This is a case were Linux users may not agree.
The distros linked to by Jostein, which includes Ubuntu Studio and others, are really intended for people who want to make and record music with the help of a computer. If you're only interested in audio playback on a PC/laptop/notebook then any of the standard Linux distros are sufficient. (For compatibility with your hardware I'd always suggest trying out the distro's LiveCD?DVD first)
The list of audio software Jostein linked to is out of date, it doesn't include for example xnoise ( http://www.xnoise-media-player.com/) or deadbeef ( http://deadbeef.sourceforge.net/ ). This is a common problem when looking for Linux info on the net. Always ask yourself, is it up to date? I prefer to start with the websites and documentation of the distro itself, even then it is not guaranteed to be 100% current.
In essence the important thing is to have as much CPU and RAM as possible dedicated to the audio and turn of all unneeded programs and processes to make the sound environment optimal.
For audio playback this is debatable. On my PC I hear no difference with audio playback on my set-up whether I have Linux running a typical busy desktop (mail, surfing, docs etc) , or I kill the desktop and just run the system in text mode with minimum processes. (This is using MPD with sonata or ncmpcpp, or deadbeef and in all cases with no ALSA dmix. )
If you're installing Linux on an embedded type system with limited CPU and memory resource ( e.g. ALIX, Pogoplug, O2 Jogler etc.) it might be a different story.
For the technically curious, buried in a very long thread about Linux audio on the diyAudio forum are some wise words from linux developer “phofman”. In http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pc-based/93315-linux-audio-way-go.html see for e.g. #1028
barry-potter
10-01-2013, 21:38
Do you use your computer as a dedicated “audio server” or as a more general purpose machine connected to your hi-fi? What is your new USB/SPDIF converter?
The mpdPUP distro John (Welder) has linked to is probably more suited to “audio server” use. A little reading will give you a handle on current Linux distros:
http://mylinuxexplore.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computer_software.html#linux
http://distrowatch.com/
After that, just try out the LiveCD/DVD of whatever Linux distro takes your fancy. You can burn a CD or DVD sized iso to a DVD-RW. Or if your PC can boot from a USB memory stick most modern distros will have instruction on to get the LiveCD onto a memory stick etc.
Will it be “better and less hassle” than Windows? You can expect some post-install configuration, just as you would with Windows (things like graphics drivers and networking). But I'd suggest you can get excellent audio out of Linux with far less need for the sort of optimisation you've had to do with cplay and Windows.
That headfi link is relevant and I can also recommend the “deadbeef “ audio player.
it is a stand alone audio pc, nothing else. no network, just cd's ripped to flac and stored on an internal ssd
This is a case were Linux users may not agree.
The distros linked to by Jostein, which includes Ubuntu Studio and others, are really intended for people who want to make and record music with the help of a computer. If you're only interested in audio playback on a PC/laptop/notebook then any of the standard Linux distros are sufficient. (For compatibility with your hardware I'd always suggest trying out the distro's LiveCD?DVD first)
The list of audio software Jostein linked to is out of date, it doesn't include for example xnoise ( http://www.xnoise-media-player.com/) or deadbeef ( http://deadbeef.sourceforge.net/ ). This is a common problem when looking for Linux info on the net. Always ask yourself, is it up to date? I prefer to start with the websites and documentation of the distro itself, even then it is not guaranteed to be 100% current.
For audio playback this is debatable. On my PC I hear no difference with audio playback on my set-up whether I have Linux running a typical busy desktop (mail, surfing, docs etc) , or I kill the desktop and just run the system in text mode with minimum processes. (This is using MPD with sonata or ncmpcpp, or deadbeef and in all cases with no ALSA dmix. )
If you're installing Linux on an embedded type system with limited CPU and memory resource ( e.g. ALIX, Pogoplug, O2 Jogler etc.) it might be a different story.
For the technically curious, buried in a very long thread about Linux audio on the diyAudio forum are some wise words from linux developer “phofman”. In http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pc-based/93315-linux-audio-way-go.html see for e.g. #1028
Thanks for the corrections, you're right there might be more recent software that is better to use now. If you just want to use the computer as a sound server and player, I would say anyway that the more CPU and RAM you have, the better sound you will get. That is especially connected to latency:
http://wiki.linuxaudio.org/wiki/real_time_info
If you have low CPU or RAM, the computer will start to write a lot to disk and the fans might work a lot, which will give much RFI and noise output from the system.
I linked to Linux Mint as a fine OS for starting to learn about Linux. For a sound server I would use Slackware, as it is rock stable and it is easy to remove unneeded components and processes in the system that you don't need on an sound server. That is one thing you can't easily do in Windows as so much their OS is integrated and protected from removal, f.ex. dll files.
Jonny, you could also try VortexBox, which is a complete media server distro.
http://info.vortexbox.org/tiki-index.php?page=HomePage
This could be checked out as well:
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?p=400253#post400253
I would say anyway that the more CPU and RAM you have, the better sound you will get. That is especially connected to latency:
http://wiki.linuxaudio.org/wiki/real_time_info
If you have low CPU or RAM, the computer will start to write a lot to disk and the fans might work a lot, which will give much RFI and noise output from the system.
Firstly, please read some of "phofman's" carefully reasoned arguments and perhaps you will re-consider the case for "low-latency" as as far as audio playback is concerned. If you mention "Low-latency" for playback at the Linux Musicians forum they will probably say it's irrelevant. As long as you have enough processing power to avoid xruns (heard as pops clicks etc) that's all you need. What exactly is the point of having a multiple core CPU with a load of memory setting around unused when a lower spec'd processor is good enough? RFI/EMI may be important but with modern SSD storage and low TDP processors systems can run fanless and the processing demands for audio playback are relatively small.
If I boot my quad core PC with a maxcpu option of one and set frequency scaling to 800Mhz speed, it sounds no different to when it operates normally.
Nor, might I add, does it sound any different if I remaster a LiveCD with test audio files etc, and boot it with a "toram" option so the whole system runs from memory having previously physically disconnect all hard drives.
Secondly, the "audiophile Linux" distro you linked to is interesting. but the idea that "jack" is necessary for playback is completely unnecessary to my mind.
I'll stick to my message that a standard Linux distro running on low-end/average hardware can be an excellent audio source.
Rothchild
10-01-2013, 23:33
I just looked at that audiophile linux distro. Why are audiophiles, listening back to pre-recorded / ripped music, concerned about latency? (it's only really an issue for recordists and soft synth users - it's also not really to do with the OS, rather it's related to the sound 'card' drivers).
I don't understand why you'd want a realtime kernel for straight audio playback (windows manages without one)?
Indeed, if the concern is (more sensibly) to keep processing overheads down so you can have fewer fans and a cooler (quieter) system then higher latency would be preferable.
Krisbee has some good suggestions, my tuppence worth is just pick a distro that suits your relative IT abilities and get on with it. My personal preference is for Debian based distros (so Ubuntu for the real beginers, mint for the people who have decided they hate the ubuntu interface (I actually quite like it) or hell, even Debian (the real thing) if you're a bit more IT savvy and don't want Ubuntu selling your desktop usage stats to Amazon)
You could build a pretty awesome superlight, silent system with a Raspberry Pi, large USB hard drive and reasonable quality soundcard. Bury it away somewhere with a router and just ssh in to it from a budget android tablet to use as a remote.
Rothchild
10-01-2013, 23:36
Hah, I'm a couple of minutes behind Chris but clearly on the same page!
it is a stand alone audio pc, nothing else. no network, just cd's ripped to flac and stored on an internal ssd
Well, really I think you should just pick the Linux distro that interests you and give it's LiveCD/DVD a whirl using say the "deadbeef" audio player at first and those tips to ensure bit-perfect playback in Linux.
Assuming you think it's worth sicking with Linux then the next step might be to setup MPD.
AAAAAAAAARGH!!! Why is NOTHING in linux simple and intuitive??? All I want to do is install XBMC onto Mint (dunno which version and haven't a clue how to check) and apparently I need a degree in 'Gobbledegook' to do so... :steam:
Subsequently I have found a simple guide to install XBMC onto Mint and I have followed it to the letter and it still won't install. Click link ~ download ~ install ~ run, that is how easy it was on Windows and I had XBMC running in less than two minutes on Win7. Why is Linux better again? :doh:
if all you are planning on is running xbmc, forget mint
just use XBMCBuntu
you download it, burn the CD boot from it and follow the prompts to install
job done
You also have SlaXBMC built on rock solid Slackware:
http://slaxbmc.blogspot.no/
Should contain everything you need.
I was hoping to be able use the machine for browsing the internet too guys. Sod it, I'll hook the Windows HD back up again. Really, Linux isn't worth all this hassle and stress. I may come back to it if the geeks ever figure out that an OS actually needs to be usable by people other than themselves, but I doubt that will ever happen as they are far too busy trying to impress each other with the complexity of their coding skills :rolleyes:
If one bought a car made by Linux it would arrive thus and without instructions on how to assemble it:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B49edtlXytQ/T-RUuC_aJCI/AAAAAAAAAEE/NmvqAbrIVc0/s1600/Do+you+ever+image+how+many+parts++Car+the+car+has. jpg
Brilliant! Unfortunately, I doubt Linux will ever succeed as a mass OS for the desktop, it has too many flaws, IMHO you are better off with Windows or a Mac.
---------------------------------
Posted using Tapatalk :)
I was hoping to be able use the machine for browsing the internet too guys. ..
XBMCbuntu comes with a desktop (LXDE) with a browser (Chromium) pre-installed, so web browsing etc. won't be a problem.
What has frustrated me more than anything Keith is that I had XBMC downloaded, installed and working on my Windows drive in minutes and yet I have wasted over half a day on various unsuccessful attempts to try and get the damn thing onto the Linux drive. I wouldn't be so annoyed if Linux was a complete POS, but even I can see the potential in it, it's just that it's almost impossible to tap into. Every time I give Linux a go somet goes wrong, so forgive me if I politely decline yet another potential hair-pulling day ;)
Rothchild
18-01-2013, 23:02
AAAAAAAAARGH!!! Why is NOTHING in linux simple and intuitive???
It's not, if you expect it to work like Windows.
I see it more like this:
http://www.photostand.co.za/images/tp6shb5nqncgmv7uflr8.jpg
With one of these:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/chudd4/RGBhr_0726.jpg
and once you get on top of it you get one of these:
http://www.eurocarnews.com/media/pictorials/1356/6268.jpg
Android phones are the proof that linux can be made completely useable (not helping you here I know but...) Realistically, how much time to you have invested in knowing how to tweak and use windows (and I'm not just talking about how to press a 'button' or move a 'slider') I'd wager that it's significantly more than an afternoon. They are just tools at the end of the day, use the ones that work for you.
Synsei,
Apart from the fact that one man's “simple and intuitive”is another man's “complex and confusing”, what about start by googling on “how to check mint linux version”?
First on the list of responses is: http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=90&t=23819&start=0
Installing software in Linux is mostly as simple as “Click link ~ download ~ install ~ run”.
You did not link the the “XMBC on Mint” guide that you used, so I can't say where it might have gone wrong. Actually, I know nothing about XMBC, so I think I would have looked on and asked questions at the Linux Mint forum.
But it seems you could have saved yourself all the frustration and waste of time if you had asked about the simplest/best way to getting a Linux version of XMBC running directly here at AOS. Perhaps then your impression of Linux would then be entirely different.
Linux is not Windows and strangely, I am perfectly comfortable with this. I've experience with many OS's over the years and yet the only one that has ever had me stumped is Linux, but I keep coming back for more punishment.
Incidentally, here is the link to the tutorial I mentioned: http://www.ainer.org/xbmc-install-setup-configuration-guide-for-ubuntu-linux-mint/2
Mint is failing to register the 'suppositories' I think. Basically, when I get to the step where Mint is supposed to ask me if I want to Reload the information, it doesn't. Subsequently, typing XBMC into the search window of Software Manager fails to yield a result.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/chudd4/RGBhr_0726.jpg
.
If only there was a Haynes manual for Linux... :eyebrows:
richie60
19-01-2013, 11:03
Linux is not Windows and strangely, I am perfectly comfortable with this. I've experience with many OS's over the years and yet the only one that has ever had me stumped is Linux, but I keep coming back for more punishment.
Incidentally, here is the link to the tutorial I mentioned: http://www.ainer.org/xbmc-install-setup-configuration-guide-for-ubuntu-linux-mint/2
Mint is failing to register the 'suppositories' I think. Basically, when I get to the step where Mint is supposed to ask me if I want to Reload the information, it doesn't. Subsequently, typing XBMC into the search window of Software Manager fails to yield a result.
This appears to be an old guide back in 2011 when xbmc wasn't included in the repo's. I am running the latest Mint release and had a quick look in the software centre for xbmc and it's in there.
Are you running the latest 14.1 Nadia release?
So that's why it went down the toilet:) As XMBC does not exist in the main Mint repositories we have to go through the add a "ppa" dance. Without seeing any error messages that may have been thrown, it could have failed simply because the "ppa:team-xbmc/ppa" repo was a mis-match for your version of Mint , or there was one or more missing dependencies on your system, i.e. other bits of software XMBC depends on but didn't find already installed on your system.
But rather than speculating, what version of Linux Mint are you using and is it fully updated? There are several different recommended XMBC ppa's on the web, depending of your version of Linux Mint.
Secondly, I believe not having the correct graphics drivers installed can also cause problems. What make of graphics card are using (nvidia, ATI/AMD, Intel)?
I have a linux Mint 13 iso on disk which I would be happy to install in a virtual machine and work through a XMBC install, if that is of help.
P.S Type this command in a terminal to find the Mint version: lsb_release -a
485 updates came down the pipe yesterday (is it really that long since my last valiant foray into the world of Linux?) and Mint is reporting it is up to date. I will have to get back to you as to which version of Mint it is as I am back on the Windows drive just now. I did have a dual boot setup initially but Windows sulked so much I now have to physically open up my computer to swap the HD drive leads around. Incidentally, I use the Gnome desktop (I think :scratch: I will check on that the next time I boot Linux up).
The graphics card is a Sapphire ATIRadeon 4850HD. The last time I had a play with Mint I was advised that the correct drivers were built in.
Dave,
Unless your are particularly attached to what is probably an old version of Linux Mint, and assuming you have no critical data in it, as Richard says, it may be simpler to just re-install the latest version of Linux Mint and start from scratch, or use one of the other distros suggested.
Otherwise let me know what version of Mint it is, as I think this reference might do the trick: http://www.noobslab.com/2011/09/install-xbmc-on-ubuntu-1110-oneiric.html
I'm not going to open up my PC again just yet as my girlfriend is beginning to get quite pissy about it. She did make me giggle this morning though: "I'm making a cup of tea dear, says she, and there are two versions on offer: Our usual brand or the Linux version; choose the later and you are going to be needing to get dressed, find your passport, book a flight to India where you will be met at the airport by a chap who will give you some seeds, after which you will need to buy some land, then sell it again as the plot will not be compatible with your seeds, buy some more suitable land, plant your seeds, wait a while, harvest your plants, process them, bag 'em up, fly them back to Blighty and head for home to put the kettle on, where you will no doubt find you have left your tea repositories sitting in the departure lounge in New Delhi... Simples..." :lol:
Well, I wouldn't want to disturb your domestic harmony. I gave Linut mint 13 a whirl in a virtual machine. As it turned out the ref I quoted in my previous post had dead links in it, but these instruction work OK.
http://www.fit-pc.com/wiki/index.php/Fit-PC3:_Installing_Linux_Mint_13
Parts 3 and 4 are want you want, but ONLY if you have Linux Mint 13.
Otherwise I think I'd go with XBMCBuntu.
More tea, dear?
I agree Linux is pain in the ass for someone used to windows
however it does have one massive benefit in that once its working, it does just that works, no crashes, no issues, no compulsory reboots, no software patches (unless you want to)
my mrs is in her words to technology what Michael Jackson was to child minding
she can break the unbreakable, so I figured my initial pain would rapidly be outweighed by the benefit of a box that functions as an appliance and even she can use it.
XBMC on linux does just that
on the rare occasion its hung (maybe twice in as many years) she simply turns it off and then on, and it just works
I can't really say fairer than that
I have just found out that Spotify is going to be a pain in the arse to get working with Linux too so I am going to stay with Win7. There's not a lot of point moving to an OS which is going to leave me with fewer choices to play music. Thanks for trying to help out guys but it would appear Linux is not going to work for me... :cool:
I have just found out that Spotify is going to be a pain in the arse to get working with Linux too so I am going to stay with Win7. There's not a lot of point moving to an OS which is going to leave me with fewer choices to play music. Thanks for trying to help out guys but it would appear Linux is not going to work for me... :cool:
There's a Spotify plugin for XBMC - Spotimc - that works fine despite being in beta. You're not getting out of it that easily :lol:
If your willing to walk me through it then I'm game although it won't be until tomorrow, I'm enjoying a good listening sesh just now ;)
I can't commit to that just now Dave; my dad died yesterday and I'll have lots to do over the coming days - plus I'm probably not at my most patient right now :(
I'm sorry to hear that Keith, please accept my condolences... :(
I would be interested in how you get on. Please post your ultimate results.
I myself am a Linux wannabe. I have given it a go 3 or 4 times but have had to admit defeat and go back to windows. My main system at the moment is a dedicated PC in the lounge running windows 8 and Foobar2000. It is a wired setup and connected to a Wyred4sound dac. Linux would surely have a smaller footprint than windows, hence my interest.
richie60
21-01-2013, 05:49
Keep meaning to replace Win 7 running on the HTPC myself and replace with either Mint or another one of the Ubuntu derived distro's.
The only thing that holds me back is I can't get 5.1 surround sound to work with my current soundcard which is an M-Audio 24/96. Anyway Win 7 runs very well for now. I may downsize soon as I don't really want a room full of speakers and never watch many films so the soundcard problem will be a non issue. I will then replace windows and use a Usb Dac for a two channel setup which is more than enough for my needs.
I run Linux Mint on the laptop for now and I can use all of my favourite software on that..:)
Firstly, I'm sure everyone at AOS would like to offer their condolences to Keith.
Dave,
If you want to get spotify working in XMBC on Linux, then I think this guide should do the trick: http://crunchbang.org/forums/viewtopic.php?id=20965
No advanced Linux gobbledegook is required :)
Richard,
What configuration steps did you try in order to get 5.1 surround sound to work in Linux? Linux Mint/Ubunutu come with "PulseAudio" by default. Which means you have to tweaks it's configuration, and possibly ALSA as well.
This guide should help: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SurroundSound
I would be interested in how you get on. Please post your ultimate results.
I myself am a Linux wannabe. I have given it a go 3 or 4 times but have had to admit defeat and go back to windows. My main system at the moment is a dedicated PC in the lounge running windows 8 and Foobar2000. It is a wired setup and connected to a Wyred4sound dac. Linux would surely have a smaller footprint than windows, hence my interest.
Andrei,
Did you want to use your dedicated PC just for audio or, audio and video? If audio only, then for folk new to Linux my recommendation would be to use Lubuntu http://lubuntu.net/ combined with something like the deadbeef audio player. And you can install XBMC within Lubuntu if you wish.
There are several post at AOS about this. If it's of interest, I'll try to answer any questions you have.
I would always suggest anyone new to Linux should start be running a Linux LiveCD to get the feel of Linux and check the hardware is fully compatible. YOu can do this with Lubuntu.
Andrei,
Had a nagging thought, and after checking I think your out of luck. Your DAC my be high-end, but it appears to need a special USB driver package which only exists for Windows and MAC. But it should be OK on other inputs.
richie60
21-01-2013, 13:35
Richard,
What configuration steps did you try in order to get 5.1 surround sound to work in Linux? Linux Mint/Ubunutu come with "PulseAudio" by default. Which means you have to tweaks it's configuration, and possibly ALSA as well.
This guide should help: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SurroundSound
Was a while back but I know it's a nightmare trying to get 5.1 working with the M-Audio 24/96. I used the Envy24 Control to enable everything, tried Alsamixer first to unmute SPDIF, tried routing through Alsa instead of pulseaudio - nothing worked, so I gave up. Could only ever get 2 channel audio.
It doesn't matter anymore though as i'm getting shot of the surround sound system and going back to 2 channel stereo.
Richie
I'm sorry to hear that Keith, please accept my condolences... :(
Firstly, I'm sure everyone at AOS would like to offer their condolences to Keith.
Thank you Dave and Chris - very much appreciated.
I would be interested in how you get on. Please post your ultimate results.
I myself am a Linux wannabe. I have given it a go 3 or 4 times but have had to admit defeat and go back to windows. My main system at the moment is a dedicated PC in the lounge running windows 8 and Foobar2000. It is a wired setup and connected to a Wyred4sound dac. Linux would surely have a smaller footprint than windows, hence my interest.
Will do Andrei, might be a while yet though ;)
If you want to get spotify working in XMBC on Linux, then I think this guide should do the trick: http://crunchbang.org/forums/viewtopic.php?id=20965
No advanced Linux gobbledegook is required
Cheers Chris, I'll take a looksie this evening ;)
What I really need to do is build a smaller, quieter PC as I'm using my old gaming system just now and although quiet for a gaming rig, it does like to hum along to a tune or two... :lol:
Andrei,
Seems I might have been wrong before as I think your W4S DAC2 uses a M2tech OEM board for asynch USB. Until quite recently this was a no go in Linux but M2tech did release a beta driver at the end of October 2012 which is still being worked on and does work.
Should you dip your toe in Penguin waters, post back for further details.
I recently started to play with linux but must admit I am still as yet undecided if I would be prepared use it as the o\s on my main pc. So far I have only experimented with Puppy Linux, a lightweight distro primarily designed to run in RAM, of which I have tried two flavours 'Lucid Puppy' & 'Saluki Puppy'. Of the two I would recommend Saluki which is developed to run on gear less than 5yrs old. I have so far found it quick and stable where as I have found Lucid puppy to throw the occasional wobbler which I am not geek enough to resolve.
Saluki comes with most things you need to get started pre-installed, though I would recommend changing the Midori web browser for something else (easily done). I have not used XMBC but note that it is available in the repo and should be easy to install from the package manager (should be just click,click without need for any command line stuff).
There is a 10 part tutorial on 'You Tube' for 'Saluki' from someone who is probably a little too enthusiastic and may need to get out more:lol:. It maybe worth installing Saluki onto a USB stick to run in RAM, this will also give you the ability to download and save a few progams to see if it works for you before commiting.
Typed on a 5yr old Asus Eee PC netbook running Saluki Puppy Linux
Rothchild
29-01-2013, 11:43
What I really need to do is build a smaller, quieter PC as I'm using my old gaming system just now and although quiet for a gaming rig, it does like to hum along to a tune or two... :lol:
This month's payday project for me is a Raspberry Pi taped to a 500gig usb hard-drive taped to my home router, under the telly and running http://pibanglinux.org/
Silent, low power (cheap!) always on media server and streaming box with HDMI in tu't telly and samba share for accessing tunes on various other machines around the house that are plugged in to amps and speakers.
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