My new music server.

[brian2957]

It never ceases to amaze me how members of this forum are willing to give up their valuable time in order to help another member. Let me explain.
About 3 years ago I gave up on this hobby believing I was getting nowhere after almost 30 years of searching. I was never able to afford the real high end stuff which I aspired to and after many system changes I decided to give up the ghost . I bought a Klipsch Igroove Ipad dock ( which is actually very good IMO ) and a Sony MP4 player. I lived with this for some time until I stumbled upon the Art Of Sound forum last May.
Many of the members were talking about file-based audio . 'Surely you can't get decent sounds from computer 'I thought . However many of the arguments and experiences put forward by members in favour of this medium were quite compelling . I have to say at this stage that I didn't know ( and still don't know ) much about computers.
So I decided to investigate further. I decided to 'dip my toe' in the water so to speak and went on to Ebay and purchased a second hand Dell laptop and a little Hot Audio DAC . I have to mention here that I kept my NVA amp and cables as they have provided me with sterling service over the years . (I put them in the loft )
I also bought a pair of Royd A7 speakers . Special mention must go to Mark (Reid Malenphant ) who talked me through upgrading the crossovers on these speakers , turning a good pair of standmounts into an excellent pair.When I got this little system up and running I couldn't believe how good it sounded . With the help of John (Welder) and Tim on AOS I was to achieve even better results .
To cut to the chase several more upgrades were to provide me with a system which has given me with much listening pleasure . However a couple of months ago I was selling something on the forum and was contacted by Gary ( Gazjam ) who wanted to buy my item . We discovered that we lived quite close to each other , so Gary came to mine to pick up the item . We got talking about our systems and the result was Gary offered to build me a music server to my specifications ( actually they were his as I don't have a bliddy clue ) with Windows 7 and JRiver media player included. Well Gary delivered the server the other day and set it up for me . Quite frankly I couldn't believe what I was hearing . This is easily the best system I have ever owned . My new system sounds fantastic IMHO and I believe that as it settles down it will improve even more . I have had a couple of late nights already rediscovering my music collection. Fantastic !
If you are contemplating going down the file-based audio route my suggestion would be to go for it. The rewards are well worth the effort IMO and there are plenty of people on AOS who are more than willing to give up their valuable time to help. If I haven't mentioned your name or the help you provided me with please forgive me as my memory isn't what it used to be.
Below a few pictures of my new server and system with thanks to all who helped me get to where I am today ,especially Gazjam who has provided me with so much help and advice.

[Ali Tait]

Nice one Brian, glad it's hitting the spot. Is it portable? Be interesting to compare to the TFS when I get it.

[Mark Grant]

with Windows 7 and JRiver media player included. Quite frankly I couldn't believe what I was hearing . This is easily the best system I have ever owned

Good result and its good that Gary has helped so much
Jriver is great, easy to use and does not cost much.
http://www.jriver.com/

When Gary reads this, is this the case from novatech ?
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...ov-vision.html that looks great for £50.

[Marco]

Hi Brian,

A heartwarming tale, so thanks for sharing!

Well done to Gaz, and everyone else who helped. I hope that you continue to enjoy the choons, through your streaming set-up, for many years to come.

I've moved this to Strokes of Genius, as it's like a little mini-review of your experiences - enjoy!

Marco.

[brian2957]

Thanks Marco , AOS has certainly enhanced my listening experience no end.

[brian2957]

Nice one Brian, glad it's hitting the spot. Is it portable? Be interesting to compare to the TFS when I get it.

Hi Ali , I don't see any problems bringing the server to yours .Look forward to it.

[Gazjam]

Good result and its good that Gary has helped so much
Jriver is great, easy to use and does not cost much.
http://www.jriver.com/

When Gary reads this, is this the case from novatech ?
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/c...ov-vision.html that looks great for £50.

Its always good to help out.

Yeah Mark, thats the one.
Cracking case much better in the "metal" than the pics.
Honestly, its like a high end CD player, 5mm Brushed aluminium front panel brushed metal case..looks the biz.
Very easy to build the computer too using this case.

For a music server/HTPC its ideal.
Looks great on your rack and runs very quiet.
Windows 7/Jriver playing lossless files via USB into a SPDIF converter/Dac sounds fantastic.
I build a server for myself recently with Win7/Jriver and compared to the Sb Touch I owned previously its a better sounding digital source.
Sounds better, better interface and much easier to access all your music.

As Brian says, anyone thinking of going down the streamed audio route should go for it, you wont look back.

Did I mention how cool Jriver is?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHZhOglOymk
What i like about it is that it has a lot of Audiophile settings, memory play, Winaspi Event Style output, Upsampling...you name it.
It can play 24/384 if your dac is up to it.

The software is constantly being updated and has a fantastic User forum where the creators of Jriver regularly pitch in with their expertise.
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php
I use JRiver to play movies and view pictures too - cool!

*EDIT* Anyone looking for specifics of the PC build feel free to drop me a PM

[Gazjam]

It never ceases to amaze me how members of this forum are willing to give up their valuable time in order to help another member. Let me explain.
About 3 years ago I gave up on this hobby believing I was getting nowhere after almost 30 years of searching. I was never able to afford the real high end stuff which I aspired to and after many system changes I decided to give up the ghost . I bought a Klipsch Igroove Ipad dock ( which is actually very good IMO ) and a Sony MP4 player. I lived with this for some time until I stumbled upon the Art Of Sound forum last May.
Many of the members were talking about file-based audio . 'Surely you can't get decent sounds from computer 'I thought . However many of the arguments and experiences put forward by members in favour of this medium were quite compelling . I have to say at this stage that I didn't know ( and still don't know ) much about computers.
So I decided to investigate further. I decided to 'dip my toe' in the water so to speak and went on to Ebay and purchased a second hand Dell laptop and a little Hot Audio DAC . I have to mention here that I kept my NVA amp and cables as they have provided me with sterling service over the years . (I put them in the loft )
I also bought a pair of Royd A7 speakers . Special mention must go to Mark (Reid Malenphant ) who talked me through upgrading the crossovers on these speakers , turning a good pair of standmounts into an excellent pair.When I got this little system up and running I couldn't believe how good it sounded . With the help of John (Welder) and Tim on AOS I was to achieve even better results .
To cut to the chase several more upgrades were to provide me with a system which has given me with much listening pleasure . However a couple of months ago I was selling something on the forum and was contacted by Gary ( Gazjam ) who wanted to buy my item . We discovered that we lived quite close to each other , so Gary came to mine to pick up the item . We got talking about our systems and the result was Gary offered to build me a music server to my specifications ( actually they were his as I don't have a bliddy clue ) with Windows 7 and JRiver media player included. Well Gary delivered the server the other day and set it up for me . Quite frankly I couldn't believe what I was hearing . This is easily the best system I have ever owned . My new system sounds fantastic IMHO and I believe that as it settles down it will improve even more . I have had a couple of late nights already rediscovering my music collection. Fantastic !
If you are contemplating going down the file-based audio route my suggestion would be to go for it. The rewards are well worth the effort IMO and there are plenty of people on AOS who are more than willing to give up their valuable time to help. If I haven't mentioned your name or the help you provided me with please forgive me as my memory isn't what it used to be.
Below a few pictures of my new server and system with thanks to all who helped me get to where I am today ,especially Gazjam who has provided me with so much help and advice.

your Welcome!

Nice writeup Brian, wish you many years of enjoyment mate.

[bobbasrah]

your Welcome!

Nice writeup Brian, wish you many years of enjoyment mate.

As this will probably be read by quite a few folks contemplating this route Gary, would it be possible to post up the parts used as a example???.

As to the build Brian, looks good and suits the gear... Glad you finally got it sorted out. See told you it was easy.... as long as you know a lad in the Hamilton area... (Ok Gary, other side of the 74 ).....
Enjoy the music.....

[brian2957]

your Welcome!

Nice writeup Brian, wish you many years of enjoyment mate.

Thanks Gary , for all your help mate.