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In Reply to: RE: Anything with an OS in it can be used as AV streamer - however, I don't get the attraction .... posted by beppe61 on June 29, 2015 at 23:05:23
"but i think that noise inside the pc is not a big issue if i use the usb out providing isolation from the pc power. "
In my opinion the noise inside the PC does matter even with good USB isolation. Every time I have improved my PC noise wise, with memory filters and better shielding etc. I have experienced incremental improvements. All of these improvements are a step to getting better sound. Often they are not gigantic earth shattering improvements but small incremental positive steps.
I think home theater is not as critical of an application. Audiophiles are definitely more serious. Any of these small PCs will work as a home theater PC as long as they have a good video output.
Follow Ups:
Hi and thanks a lot for the very helpful reply.
I would be interested to know some details about your current set-up.
I have to get an idea of what a very good source could be just to understand if i am moving in the right direction.
And yes actually i am interested in both audio and video streaming.
So i guess an HTPC is what is needed to perform the task.
Speaking of audio only, my music collection now on a NAS is almost 100% cd files (16/44.1).
Given that this format is intrinsically limited i am just looking for a pleasant and musical sound.
Thanks again.
Kind regards,
bg
I own a lot of different stuff and do switch around and try different things. What I've settled on currently and I think excellent is the following.
I am running an Intel ITX server motherboard with a 2.4 GHz 45 W Xeon processor, ECC memory and a PPA studio USB card. I also use a wide range pico supply powered by a 24V commercial linear supply. I've also run on lead acid batteries with a farad of capacitance. This motherboard CPU combo is what many people are doing over on the Jplay forum. The OS I am running is Server 2012 R2 in core mode, Audiophile Optimizer and the latest Jplay 6.1 streamer.
I am using this as a single PC just for simplicity, but also run dual sometimes as many people using Jplay do. Either way is excellent in my opinion. Server 2012 is a free 180 day evaluation so there is nothing to lose by trying it.
Phil has been receiving many requests for Audiophile Optimizer for Windows 10 and he is thinking about doing it. Windows 10 has gotten some very positive comments, so it is also worth looking into.
I would suggest you look at some of these options as you could try audiophile Optimizer and Jplay on your system currently, there are demos available. The new Jplay streamer would be perfect for you as you are already using a NAS for your file storage. You run the MinimServer on the NAS and stream files with Jplay using an android tablet, Apple tablet or even the PC as a controller. It's pretty flexible and actually does an excellent job of managing files and sounds great in my opinion.
Another great thing about the new Jplay is that it uses so little CPU that it can run on almost anything. Even the newest small Bay Trail systems like the ones that we have been discussing I think would be an excellent candidate. I have not gotten around to trying some of them but I intend to. Lower system power can also translate to lower noise, a good thing. Since the Regen does pretty much what the upgraded internal USB cards do I think these small systems are worth a try and might really sound very nice.
The rest of my system currently is pretty simple, I have a lot of different speakers and amps but lately I am running a Pacific valve NOS tube DAC, or a Aune S16 into a Lightspeed attenuator, Hypex amps driving Yamaha NS1000s. Amazing speakers IMO. I'm not a big headphone user but I also use vintage Stax electrostatics which are just about the most revealing transducers in the world. You can really listen into the music and pick out every fine detail and nuance.
Regards
Bob
http://www.highend-audiopc.com/
http://jplay.eu/
http://minimserver.com/
Hi and thanks a lot and ok .. you have a really great system indeed !
I have to read more about this JPlay player. Very interesting.
You say " Another great thing about the new Jplay is that it uses so little CPU that it can run on almost anything "
But the problem could be the OS requiring more HW resources.
I see mentioned Windows in the JPlay site ... but i have to read better.
You use Windows server ... is it more difficult than 7 ?
Thanks again.
Kind regards,
bg
For what we are doing Windows server is no different than using regular Windows. It does have a lot more features but they are server related and not necessary for audio. You won't really see a difference.
It is similar to the Windows 8 or 8.1 platform in appearance. To use
Jplay you do need Windows 8 or higher. From what people are saying Windows 10 might be a good choice. I like server because when you switch to core mode you have essentially a DOS operating system, no GUI. If you are not familiar navigating DOS there are programs that are helpful such as Total Commander.
The OS does not really require more hardware resources for Jplay, you can run it on a pretty simple system. I mentioned the CPU factor because the older version did use more CPU power but this new version is a very light load and sounds exceptional.
Even these little all-in-one boxes that we have been discussing should sound very nice running Jplay on Windows 8 or Windows 10.
Thank you very much indeed and very very interesting.
I will look seriously into JPlay.
I have already a big interest for win 8 as well. I think it sounds very ok on a minimal pc i have at hand ... very very good.
But Win Server with this "Core" feature is even more interesting.
I really have to study more OS and SW.
Thanks a lot again.
Kind regards,
bg
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