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best options for playback of FLAC audio files

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Posted on October 25, 2022 at 06:09:16
rayprescott68
Audiophile

Posts: 6
Location: PA
Joined: October 25, 2022
 hoping this is the right forum. i'm starting to rip my CD collection to an external Hard drive, via EAC, as FLAC files, as preparation for retirement, downsizing, emmigation in a few years time. I will keep some box sets and some vinyl - but most will have to go. I will be relying on saving / playing my collection primarily from the external hard drive. I plan on keeping a turntable ( probably my TEAC TN 100 as it sounds fine to me and had auto return and pre-amp ). firstly - I presume a decent amp/receiver with good speakers and an external media player will be far better than trying to hook up a laptop with a software media player right? and how do soundbars systems compare to decent speakers run through an amp? does anyone have recommendations for media players? i'm just trying to get a feel for the best option and plan ahead. Cheers Ray

 

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RE: best options for playback of FLAC audio files, posted on October 25, 2022 at 07:34:43
Ozzy
Audiophile

Posts: 7594
Joined: September 21, 1999
 Your best bet is to use an external streamer in lieu of a PC. the iFi Zen Stream or Bluesound Node are two of the better less expensive options. Or you could DIY a Pi player. But the zen stream and the node are plug n play.

I'd stay away from sound bars. There are many powered desktop speaker options now.







Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill

 

Not a problem, but, posted on October 25, 2022 at 08:56:11
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37666
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 the appropriate forum is Computer Audio.

Unlike the Speaker Forum where the discussion is about, well speakers - you'll see tons of posts about various digital playback streamers or endpoints.

 

How could this be the right forum?. Try Digital or Hi-Rez. nt, posted on October 25, 2022 at 08:59:03
Coner
Audiophile

Posts: 3703
Location: S.W. Washington state, USA
Joined: November 17, 2001
 nt

 

RE: best options for playback of FLAC audio files, posted on October 25, 2022 at 10:27:25
Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 12436
Location: New York
Joined: June 5, 2002
 There's no reason you cannot use a laptop as long as you use the digital output (USB, S/PDIF, TosLink) and connect it to a suitable digital input on your "decent amp/receiver" or use a separate DAC between laptop and amp/receiver. As for player apps, I prefer JRiver but many like Roon or Plex. There are many other media player apps to choose from.

OTOH, the soundbar will limit the quality of the actual sound output compared with separate real speakers placed properly.

 

Why FLAC audio files?, posted on October 25, 2022 at 11:14:49
Mr Steed
Audiophile

Posts: 829
Location: NY
Joined: May 19, 2012
 When I ripped my cd's I saved them as wave files.
Why brother with compression when large drives are so cheap.
Yesterday I ordered 2 5tb WD black series usb drives for $109.00 each.

 

RE: Why FLAC audio files?, posted on October 25, 2022 at 11:51:01
rayprescott68
Audiophile

Posts: 6
Location: PA
Joined: October 25, 2022
 Hmmmmm - fair point. when I first looked into it the suggestion was that FLAC files have some compression but pretty minimal that would not affect playback for most listeners, whilst being slightly faster to rip and using slightly less space. I agree that space is not so much of an issue these days with the cost of external hard drives being far cheaper now. do you think WAV files are superior? and would that make the playback situation easier with more options? this is somewhat out of my area of expertise :-)

 

RE: Not a problem, but, posted on October 25, 2022 at 12:03:21
rayprescott68
Audiophile

Posts: 6
Location: PA
Joined: October 25, 2022
 ok, thanks. I didn't initially think of the computer side of things as my very basic knowledge ( and presumption ) was that I would be better served with external pieces of equipment ( that I figured would be 'hi-fi' equipment rather than computer ) - as someone who just plays stuff through old school hi-fi equipment my , no doubt incorrect, presumption was that laptops etc would not give me a decent audio sound compared to regular Hi-fi equipment. I guess I need to understand better and have a complete rethink.

 

RE: How could this be the right forum?. Try Digital or Hi-Rez. nt, posted on October 25, 2022 at 12:05:40
rayprescott68
Audiophile

Posts: 6
Location: PA
Joined: October 25, 2022
 it appears you are correct - i did start off my post with 'i'm not sure if this is the right forum' - that being said, I have already received some helpful responses so I guess all is not lost.

 

RE: best options for playback of FLAC audio files, posted on October 25, 2022 at 12:28:27
rayprescott68
Audiophile

Posts: 6
Location: PA
Joined: October 25, 2022
 thank you - very helpful. this seems to be the common view. no soundbar, decent amp and speakers, and a DAC connecting the laptop to an amp seems to be the way to go.

cheers

Ray

 

The intent of having multiple forums, posted on October 25, 2022 at 12:41:43
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37666
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 is to have ones focused on specific areas where you will get the most responses for those with a similar interest. When a topic doesn't fit, post in general.


 

Innately supports metadata -nt, posted on October 25, 2022 at 12:42:45
E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37666
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002

 

RE: best options for playback of FLAC audio files, posted on October 25, 2022 at 12:44:59
pbarach
Audiophile

Posts: 3307
Location: Ohio
Joined: June 22, 2008
 Using a laptop connected to a DAC that is in turn connected to my AVR works fine. I also stream music files from a PC in the next room to my Oppo player that is also connected to the DAC.

One advantage of FLAC over WAV is that running a backup is quicker because the file sizes are smaller. I can't detect any sound difference between the two.

 

RE: best options for playback of FLAC audio files, posted on October 25, 2022 at 17:52:33
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 Everyone has a different idea on the best approach for playing digital music files. Personally, I do not want a computer connected to my audio system so I prefer to use a FiiO digital player. Many people don't agree with me on this, but for me, FiiO digital players are the most convenient. They have the capability to hold a 1-TB micro SD card with the additional capability to plug in another 1-TB USB flash drive. I currently own the new FiiO M17, which has a 2-megapixel touch-screen display with both balanced and unbalanced analog outputs. It can connect to any of the streaming websites via Wi-Fi and it also has Bluetooth connectivity. It also has headphone ports for all headphone plugs. It's battery powered as well as having a 12-volt external power supply.

The FiiO M17 is the most expensive at $1700 from Amazon.

If you want a less expensive model, try the FiiO M11 Plus at $700 from Amazon.

The least expensive is the FiiO M11S at only $500 from Amazon.

If you want some excellent Bluetooth speakers for your new FiiO digital player, I really like Dynaudio. Check these out.

Good luck!
John Elison

 

RE: best options for playback of FLAC audio files, posted on October 26, 2022 at 07:20:07
svisner
Audiophile

Posts: 1165
Joined: March 30, 2002
 As it happens, I do use a PC and various music apps for FLAC and other files. I like being able to look up a musician or producer while listening to an interesting recording. The PC works well for a large variety of media. Adding storage is easy and interface to a good DAC (in this case, the DAC in my Schiit Lyr 3) is dead easy.

 

RE: best options for playback of FLAC audio files, posted on October 26, 2022 at 11:33:39
rayprescott68
Audiophile

Posts: 6
Location: PA
Joined: October 25, 2022
 Thank you John, I appreciate your opinion on this - which was my initial, albeit somewhat naive, view. I must admit, the majority view seems to be that there is nothing sonically that makes a laptop or desktop computer setup a lesser option. ultimately I will need to weigh up the convenience / audio quality and cost and go from there.
cheers
Ray

 

RE: best options for playback of FLAC audio files, posted on October 28, 2022 at 20:32:32
audioasylumman
Audiophile

Posts: 425
Location: Canada
Joined: August 28, 2007
 I prefer using a computer.

It makes it easier for me to perform audio related tasks, such as researching, playing YT vidoes of songs to see if I like them, downloading, modifying, ripping, renaming, filing, deleting, performing backups, granular control of software playback and various preferences, ability to use DSP and other plugins in Foobar2000, surfing the internet while performing audio related tasks, etc.

Many of these can be performed with a computer + a streamer on a network but for me this way is easier and cheaper. There are real and potential disadvantages too, but wanted to present this side of the equation.

 

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