[Skye]

Hello, everyone.

As some of you know, I'm in the planning stage for my new listening room. (Closing date on the home is getting closer, by the way. Inspection looks good, my biggest fear at this point is the mortgage underwriting.)

Understandable to many, I like to use a computer as my source. Album art and graphic representation are nice, but even nicer is the ability to instantly pull up any artist or song, or to instantly put together a playlist of specific albums, etc. Additionally, I like to practice with ear training software. In short, I need a computer in my listening room. I do like a computer as a source for watching movies, but I've already decided I won't curse my listening room with a big TV and more seats that there is room for with good sound.

So, I was thinking of putting a small, quiet computer in my listening room. If playing music is its only job, it doesn't need to be very potent. But unless I pay huge bucks for fancy silent cooling, there will be at least a couple fans. Some audio engineers make a little roofed cubicle out of wooden boards with foam on them (not-airtight because of cooling) to encase the computer and block most all of the sound. If I make one of these, where in my audio room do I put it that it won't interfere with the room acoustics or room treatment placement, or even cause unwanted reflections towards the listener? The closer to the end of the room with the speakers, the shorter the ICs.

Also, I'll need to have a monitor, even if small and unobtrusive. I can't put it in front of me because it would block the speakers, and I can't put it on a shelf on the side wall, because that is where I need to treat the first reflections. Some mastering houses use gear racks at their feet that only come up to knee height, and are built at an angle to avoid reflections. Maybe put a monitor in a wooden box at my feet?

[Ethan Winer]

The obvious solution is a small laptop. Even a budget model can stream music without straining, and most are totally silent.

--Ethan

[Skye]

Haha, most of the models I've used are so noisy! Maybe I should look into purchasing a new, hopefully quieter one just for that purpose.

Does anyone else use a computer, laptop or desktop or HTPC for this purpose, exclusively for music playback? What type do you have, and how do you keep it quiet?

I maintain that the acoustics forum is the proper place for this, since the decision is based on the affect it has on acoustics. 

[glynnw]

If you wish to use a standard PC, go to this site and study a while: http://www.silentpcreview.com/

You can make a very quiet PC in a full-size case that is almost silent - I cannot hear mine from more than a couple feet away.  My laptop makes more noise. And it really costs little more than assembling a standard PC.

[WGH]

Here you go, all you need is a modified CAPS v.2 computer, no noise, no heat and it will play music and movies:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=106660.msg1092746#msg1092746

Wayne

[JohnR]

And on the other side, of course, there is the Mac mini... To OP, it sounds like you have a very small room? Perhaps reconsider the screen idea and look into "headless" options.

Another solution is to put the computer in another room and run wires through the wall or floor. Brute force but effective...

[Skye]

And on the other side, of course, there is the Mac mini... To OP, it sounds like you have a very small room? Perhaps reconsider the screen idea and look into "headless" options.

Another solution is to put the computer in another room and run wires through the wall or floor. Brute force but effective...

Haha, not a Mac fan, sorry.

All walls are outside walls except a long way up the living room wall below and the bathroom where the tub is. I suppose I could retrofit the tub to be a noise isolating media server. Noise floor over hygiene, right?

What are "headless" options?

[JohnR]

"Headless" is where the computer doesn't have a screen and keyboard, but is controlled over the network from software running on a phone, tablet, or laptop. I don't know what the Windows (or Linux) options are, but the Discless Circle would be the place to ask...

[Skye]

"Headless" is where the computer doesn't have a screen and keyboard, but is controlled over the network from software running on a phone, tablet, or laptop. I don't know what the Windows (or Linux) options are, but the Discless Circle would be the place to ask...

Ah, very cool. I think I could control it alright with my phone. However, using software would be trickier. I'll have to think about it.

If my computer is headless, it still needs to be somewhat close to the amps. If I have my amps in the center and sacrifice a bit of my closet-turned-into-bass-trap for the computer, that would mean a 20' interconnect running from the computer to the preamp. Even if I put the DAC midway, which might look funny, that's still a long way. Thoughts?

For the moment, I'm learning to use Google SketchUp so I can plan out my room treatment. Exciting times!

[JohnR]

If I have my amps in the center and sacrifice a bit of my closet-turned-into-bass-trap for the computer, that would mean a 20' interconnect running from the computer to the preamp. Even if I put the DAC midway, which might look funny, that's still a long way. Thoughts?

May be better to get a computer that's quiet to start with. See WHG's link on the CAPS server.

[Ethan Winer]

Haha, most of the models I've used are so noisy! ... Does anyone else use a computer, laptop or desktop or HTPC for this purpose, exclusively for music playback? What type do you have, and how do you keep it quiet?

Yes, "high performance" laptops have fans, but many models do not. I have a now-5 year old Dell in my living room HT that is totally silent. It's on-board sound is perfectly fine, but I bought an external interface because I occasionally do 5.1 surround mixing on that system. So silent laptops are definitely available, and self-contained, and they're very cheap these days.

--Ethan

[Rob Babcock]

You can build a dedicate silent PC without blowing too much cash, especially if you don't need a super powerful machine.