Digital Build

[raytom]

Hi All

I am looking for some advice on building a digital audiophile set up from scratch

I currently use a Pioneer transit for CD playback to a Onkyo 876 AV amp with BW speakers

Looking to covert all my Red Book CD's to digital storage and playback etc,I have a 500gb hard drive installed on my Airport already and use a Powerful HP HDX premium series laptop with windows vista

So what are my choices,dac,programs,route etc for me to take to build my digital libary for a complete novice

My budget is not fixed so all recommendations welcome

Thanks in advance

raytom

[purite audio]

Raytom, Mac mini, ipod 'touch' as remote, Async firewire or async USB dac of your choice/budget, that's it sq will be ( depending on the dac)state of the art.
Keith.

[raytom]

Hi Keith

iPod touch is sorted as have iPhone 4

What dac's do you advise?

And how does this all go together with Hard drive etc

What program's you use on Mac mini and iphone (touch) etc

Thanks for reply

Ray

[Marco]

Hi Ray,

Welcome to AOS! :)

Could you please pop into the Welcome area and introduce yourself to our community by supplying your basic geographical location, system details and music tastes, as this is a requirement for all new members joining our site.
Cheers! :cool:

Marco.

[purite audio]

Raytom, iphone is perfect, you just need the 'remote control' app, the best dacs I have heard have all used async transfer protocols, if you use a Mac then take the firewire out, ( I sell these so pinch of salt ) but the Weiss dacII is extremely good, dac, firewire converter and preamp, async firewire. You might also look at the Metric halo offerings, the new dacs from M2tech and the new Arcam dac too.
Re external storage, either a couple of mirrored hd's or perhaps something like the Promise DAS 4600 , up to four 2TB drives in a raid five config?
You will hear plenty more opinions!
VB Keith.

[Ali Tait]

I'm using a Squeezebox Touch,Drobo and either Audio Note Dac Zero or Beresford.Sounds great.

[Vincent Kars]

As you are running Windows:
dbPoweramp, probably one of the best rippers available and faster than EAC: http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/SW/ripping.html

You can start with WMP but it doesn’t have much ‘audiophile’ options.
Foobar is a popular piece of freeware but I don’t like the interface
My favourite is JRMC: http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/SW/Players/MC14/MC14_audio.htm

If both your PC and your receiver supports SPDIF or Toslink you might simple give it a try.
A promising development are USB DAC’s using asynchronous mode: http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/USB_DAC.htm

[raytom]

Thanks all for the advice, any one get any more to offer?

[Mark Grant]

I currently use a Pioneer transit for CD playback to a Onkyo 876 AV amp with BW speakers



Will the Onkyo AV amp still be in use or are you going to be using a hifi amplifier?

Just that the Onkyo AV amp might be the limiting factor to the sound quality.

Would be worth borrowing a decent 2 channel amplifier as a comparison if you can, does not have to cost much for great sound quality.

Mark.

[James G]

Raytom, Mac mini, ipod 'touch' as remote, Async firewire or async USB dac of your choice/budget, that's it sq will be ( depending on the dac)state of the art.
Keith.
Hi Keith,

With the macmini iPod setup, do you need to have the mac's screen on when you are using it? All functions can be controlled via the "remote", auto wakeup, unripped CD playback, etc? Do they have these remote control softwares for other phones besides Apple?
Also, does the macmini have any fan noise? Thanks.

[Techno Commander]

PC in a funky box (http://atechfabrication.com/products/HeatSync_7000.htm) and operated by touchscreen.

Although you would need to choose a suitable Media Centre application.

http://atechfabrication.com/images/htpc/products/HeatSync%207000%20Touch%20Screen%20Silver%20027-640.jpg

Remote control is available as an option using a proper remote control and not a phone/I pod.

[raytom]

Mark yes I will be changing the Onkyo at some point for a 2 channel amp, what you recommend!

[purite audio]

Hi Keith,

With the macmini iPod setup, do you need to have the mac's screen on when you are using it? All functions can be controlled via the "remote", auto wakeup, unripped CD playback, etc? Do they have these remote control softwares for other phones besides Apple?
Also, does the macmini have any fan noise? Thanks.

James Hi you need a screen and mouse or screen share to set the Mini up initially but after that just the ipod touch iphone ipad etc
Mini's are more or less silent during playback, dedicating the Mac to music only.
Keith.

[James G]

James Hi you need a screen and mouse or screen share to set the Mini up initially but after that just the ipod touch iphone ipad etc
Mini's are more or less silent during playback, dedicating the Mac to music only.
Keith.
Cheers. Thanks for the info Keith.