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Hello all, I am sure you each read numerous post such as mine and the urge to post back, "Hit the search button", I am sure is hard to resist at times but I hope you will indulge me this one time. I have tried, mostly with not much luck, to find a pc that is built specifically as a server/transport and wondered if such an item existed. My current system consist of (4) Linn Espek speakers, a 5140 Linn center. All of the above are bi-wired with transparent super xl cables and a linn melodik sub. I am using the linn av 5105 amps. The reason I want a pc based system is the fact that I am a huge Dave Matthews fan and lossless quality concerts are plentiful. I would use it only for the bit torrent or flac type files. I have a 64" Pioneer Elite TV which may be able to be used as a monitor, I don't know. My interconnects are also transparent super xl and I have the transparent premium digital cable as well as the component video cable. What if any of the existing cables would I be able to use. If my budget is in the 3 to 5 thousand dollar range can I get anything of quality for that? I plan on storing massive amounts of music in the 100 concert plus range, that being said will one hard drive be enough, can it be backed up and finally can I burn cd's from this type of file? All of your input is greatly appreciated, I realize much is subjective and depending on ones ear, hardware and software could be different. If I am searching for unicorn please don't be afraid to call me out, I lost all sense of feeling and emotion 4 wives ago. Thanks for any input in advance
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We may be able to help. Please send me an email if you are interested. Thanks.
Products like these would only be worth it to me if they had a way to hook up my external HD. Preferably firewire 800, or just usb i guess.
Thanks for the feedback. We are looking into a long list of possible enhancements and your suggestion is much appreciated.
Check out the Request stuff. I don't know anything about it but they carry it at Goodwin's High End so it's probably pretty good stuff
They were one of the first I saw make a high end server:
- http://www.knekt.com/spec_sound/product_display.cfm?ProductID=175&activeNavBar=products&activeSubNavBar=Knekt (Open in New Window)
Kaleidescape has added music capability to their server.
Exorbitantly expensive, catering to customers to whom $50K is a lunch money.
There are some packaged solutions that provide CDripping and tagging, storage and a simpler (non-computer like) user interface.The VRS system has been mentioned. Sonos is another (http://www.sonos.com/) and Olive Musica is a third one. These packaged solutions often seem like first trys with major limitations: limited hard disk storage, limited provision for backing up your music files and limited ability to play music files located on your existing computers. Cost is another factor.
The other approach is to roll your own solution using one or more PCs, soundcard and perhaps a DAC and software.You'll want to allow for lots of hard disk storage. Plan on 3 CDs worth of music per Gigabyte with a lossless format that preserves the quality of the original. I'm building a music PC with 1 Terabyte for now.
You can build a quiet PC but one with a terabyte of storage might be audible in your listening room. Another poster suggested two PCs - one with music file storage located away from your listening room and a quiet one near your stereo equipment. You could use a Squeezebox or Transporter (http://www.slimdevices.com/) in place of the quiet PC. The disadvantage is that the Slimserver software is clunky and the 2 line display on the Squeezebox may be limiting.
Soundcard/DAC alternatives: internal soundcard on PCI card (Lynx one, Two or L22, ESI Juli@, E-MU 0404 or 1212m. USB DAC (lots of discussion on this forum.) Either a PCI soundcard or a USB audio device can be used to feed a digital signal to a standalone DAC.
Possibilities for player s/w: Slimserver (mentioned above), Foobar2000, J. River Media Center 11 (supports multiple zones and multiple PCs) and iTunes.
The VRS has no limitations and is always upgradeable.
I'm still not sure why I don't see people posting about using; external HDs firewire to laptop to usb dac. I like that the firewire for the Ex HDs isn't "bumping" into the usb dac and I like that my laptop is quiet.
forgot to add that the laptop runs on its battery, cleaning the sound up a bit.
Don't know if its any good though.Personally I'd buy an Intel Core Duo 2 (is that right?) Mac laptop and another TwinDAC+ outboard DAC and add drives as needs be.
Big J.
(Steve Alexander 2006)
As featured recently on 6moons.com. Could be good?
Big J.
(Steve Alexander 2006)
Are there computers/laptops sold specifically set up for audiophile music servers with all the software and necessary settings adjusted (by passing kmixer in windows). Some would say apple does this; I like my cue/wav files on a pc, so no, I don't know of a pc maker tweaking out a box for audiophiles.... do any of you? Part of the problem is everybodies ideas/needs are different about computer audio, so you get into a buisness of making "personal" boxes for peps.
Besides VRS, I only know of these guys:http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/std/category=Digital_Audio_Workstations.html?id=SXjgjWr2
Lucky, your budget allows for "sky is the limit" DIY type of machine (I have built a competent PC transport for $750, can you imagine what you can build for $3000-5000). Or you can opt for boutique off the shelf models.
Check VRS AUDIO, some other builder. Also, check REVOX.One way or another, you will have to arm yourself with knowledge to prevent anyone from taking advantage of you. I have seen some $3000 servers with ridiculous low specs - total rip off behind well known audiophile brand.
I would recommend that you consider the entire system as two piece kit:1. Backoffice machine - robust file server (tower case, at least 500W power supply) Any PC will do, even ugly one. Keep it in your basement, under the stairs or elsewhere - ethernet cable can be up to 300ft long. Consider making back up copy of all your drives and keep them off-site, e.g. in your bank safe deposit box.
Avoid using external USB hard drives - they are not reliable in the long run.
2. Player PC (in listening room)- it is connected to file server and pulls the files from there. Your budget allows for completely silent PC.Alternativelly, desktop form factor PC can store 2 or 3 high capacity drives. The biggest right now is 750GB, 1000GB is expected by the fall this year. having multiple hard drives in a minitower is not advisable because of the noise.
3. Basic network to connect 1 and 2. (NO ACCESS TO INTERNET to prevent data corruption, viruses etc.)
For your data storage requirement calculation:
1. Do not overfill hard drives - fill up to 80% of storage capacity.
That means, 750GB is good for safely storing 600GB of data.600GB translates to 900 uncompressed CDs or 1500 lossless CDs or 100-150 feature length movies in DVD format.
2. For backing up purposes consider doubling of needed capacity.
3. Always buy more of storage, you will need it.
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