Re: OK Asylum Hard Drive Server owners: Post - agnostic 18:44:00 10/28/04 (0)
 Roku SoundBridge M1000 - EdM 14:01:44 10/19/04 (0)
 Re: OK Asylum Hard Drive Server owners: Post - gbeard 06:16:46 10/19/04 (0)

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 Re: OK Asylum Hard Drive Server owners: Post - agnostic 18:44:00 10/28/04 (0)
 Roku SoundBridge M1000 - EdM 14:01:44 10/19/04 (0)
 Re: OK Asylum Hard Drive Server owners: Post - gbeard 06:16:46 10/19/04 (0)
 Re: OK Asylum Hard Drive Server owners: Post - Tubo 21:59:51 10/18/04 (0)
 Re: OK Asylum Hard Drive Server owners: Post - jusbe 06:55:49 10/18/04 (0)
 Re: OK Asylum Hard Drive Server owners: Post - triodesteve 22:23:22 10/17/04 (0)
 Re: OK Asylum Hard Drive Server owners: Post - Joe LG 20:28:11 10/17/04 (2)
 Re: OK Asylum Hard Drive Server owners: Post - Audionut007 05:39:22 10/18/04 (1)
 Re: OK Asylum Hard Drive Server owners: Post - Joe LG 06:30:27 10/18/04 (0)
 Modest but functional - jdarg 18:21:26 10/17/04 (0)

I like my computer-based storage/playback system but I have to admit my last few weeks have been spent in the vinyl realm as I just scored a new TT.

Server - Nothing special at all here. An old Compaq Pentium II with a 40GB and 120GB hard drive, Windows 2003 Server, 128MB memory. My entire CD collection - 200+ CDs - is stored on the 120GB using FLAC and APE w/ room to spare. I think it's crucial to separate the server from the PC used as the player because of noise. I know its possible to build a silent PC but I was trying to do this the best I could on the cheap. The big advantage is that I can use the client system on any rig in my house - or outside - and have access to my entire CD collection - no cords, no cables, and IR remote control.

Client - IBM Thinkpad P3 w/ 15" screen. Music is streamed from server to client via 802.11G wireless. Experimented with built-in audio (headphone jack, no line out), Creative Labs Sound Blaster MP3 USB and Sonique USB (forget the name, the little blue box) - Sonique is clearly the best (and it's begging for some mods) followed by the headphone jack on the ThinkPad - creative is a very distant 3rd - thin and lifeless. No DAC as of yet - eventually I'd like to try a non-OS DAC ala TDA1541, etc. Cheapie Creative Labs infrared remote module plugged into COM port - using a remote control from an old DVD player to control the whole thing from about 10' away. Girder for IR support. Running MyHTPC software for UI and Winamp as a player. MyHTPC is about the best I found but unfortunately I don't think it's available anymore for free and it's still not without it's quirks.

Rest of the system - Alternate between HK Citation V, Dynaco ST-70, pair of modified heathkit EA-3, Channelmaster 6BQ5 integrated, and 2A3 SET - Loftin-White Fi-Primer circuit. Behringer Ultracurve DSP8024. Dynaco PAS 3X and a 12AU7 preamp of my own design. My own speakers, ~ 97db/1W, JBL 2226H in 5 cu. ft. box, Renkus-Heinz CD horn lenses, Emilar compression drivers, 800hz 2nd order crossover.

-jd

I have been using a PC as my CDT for the last 6 - 8 months. Configurations have changed somewhat over this period of time. I have :

1) VIA Mini-itx Me6000 motherboard with 512MB RAM
2) 200GB seagate 7200.7 HDD (a bit noisy though, 160GB 7200.7 better. Had a very bad experience with Spin point - bought 3 with nidec motor but all very very loud)
3) 7" VGA touchscreen with long umbilical chord (approx. 3m maybe)
4) Morex 2699 mini-itx case
5) Foobar 2K with ASIO driver
6) All songs ripped with EAC in full WAV format

The audio passes as data through USB to
1) a modified Apogee Big Ben clock conditioner (modified by Empirical Audio)
2) then to my TACT RCS 2.0
3) then to my AN DAC 1.1 (heavily modified)
4) then to my linestage (DIY based on Allen Wright's FVP)
5) then to the Rives PARC room correction
6) then to the power amp (DIY based on Transcendant sound T8)
7) then to my speakers (DIY Diatone MB610)+ seas helper tweeter crossed high (maybe 12 ~ 15K)
8) power conditioners - 2 X PS Audio P300 + Eaxtpower E-15a

This setup replaced the Theta Pearl (modified with a trichord clock 3). At one time, I also had an RME DIGI 8/96 sound card modded with an LC clock 3 running on battery. The current setup sounds better (beautiful vocals & bass not too shabby too). The TACT is in bypass mode. I use the PARC more often now.

Regards,
Joe LG
Malaysia

My Tact is the old model (not the S version). I was using the TACT until very recently. I think my curve building skills are not very good. Comparing the TACT & PARC, the TACT sounds "thin" (i.e. high frequencies sound emphasised eventhough my curve has a gentle slope downwards as the frequency ascends). The PARC, on the other hand only attenuates the signal. This seems to work well in my system as my primary aim is to be rid of bass boom problems in my relatively small room, not to correct the whole frequency range of my speakers. Funny thing is, at one time, I tried to match the corrected curve to the in room measurement with just the correction in the bass region. This sounded very poor. I don't think I have the parametric equaliser (if you are referring to the add-in software for the TACT)

I have not tried the fire wire option for the Big Ben. It is relatively new & costs around 40% of the Big Ben itslf (although the USB mod cost about the same too).

Anyway, I do not have the itch to tinker too much at the moment as the setup sounds wonderful although I am designing a better encolsure for the PC (make it small & quiet).

Regards,
Joe LG

Sounds very good, but am exploring the idea of using a portable instead and keeping this PC for another task.

Big J.

I have just started to delve into the black abyss of music serving. As of today, I have a Squeezebox digitally connected to my HT stereo and connected wirelessly through a WAP, which in turn is connected via wired router to my Intel based puter running XP Pro. I am 146 titles into ripping my 500 cds (sheer drudgery)to Apple Lossless, and I will be buying an external Hdd next because my HDD can't hold 'em all. My major project for the winter will be converting most of my LPs to AL. I may rip them to cd first because of all the work involved to play them in real-time to Wavelab, editing, adding track and album info, and then ripping to AL--Oh God, what have I wrought upon myself? ;)

Even thought I am not using high end gear with this system (except for my Merlins), I think the sound is very good, and I am liking the simplicity and emphasis on music rather than the gear, AND I can play music in every room of the house! The Shoutcast radio feature is great, and the Squeezebox is very intuitive to use once it is set up.

I was going to set up an IR system in each room so I'd have remote control, but instead I just purchased an HP Ipaq Xr3115 PDA and running the TelCanto software, I can emulate the Slimserver anywhere in the house. With the touch of a stylus I can find any song and play it. Way cool...

So what is the best thing I have found with this approach beside simplicity? Well, have you ever been (in a bar, the car, the kitchen, or...) sitting by the pool in Vegas with the tunes playing through the little speakers by the misters, when all of a sudden you find yourself groovin' to a great tune? Have you every wondered why you find it so emotionally involving even though the sound basically sucks? I've had those feelings often, and I am trying to recreate that environment in my home (without he suckiness of course). We shall see.

Cheers, gb

Soundbridge uses iTunes for music server. Very simple, Sounds great.
Music is Emotion

Seagate Barracuda IV's - 40GB system, 80GB for audio files.

PLextor CD-ROM, CD's ripped to APE lossless with PLextools at low drive-speeds (configurable with a Plextot/Plextools).

Music played back via Foobar2000 using kernel-streaming - only ASIO and kernel streaming works work remotely well with the DIO2448, kernel streaming is best.

M-audio DIO2448 (on it's own IRQ) using coax SP/DIF to -

late model Audio Alchemy DAC-in-the-Box (I like multibit) out via -

DNM solid-core with 27K/20Kohm shunt attenuator soldered in to reduce the DAC-in-the-Box's 2.4v by over half to -

TDK S80 NXT system for in-room - bass-unit blu-tacked to a slab of 2" stone on a bicycle inner-tube. Sheet of lead glued to inside of resonent front panel, heat sinks added to voltage-regulators (most TDK's sold have probably already fried these components by now).

Creek OBH-11 and Sennheiser 580's for proper listening (my flat precludes realistic levels, hence the TDKS's, for the moment).

I'll get serious when I earn some money.

R.