[rhblum]

I currently use a network connected NeoTV 550 to stream movies and music to an Onkyo 809 AVR.  I'm not particularly crazy about the music UI on the NeoTV, but it does fine streaming my flac music, including higher res files.  Every thread I see here talks about using an external DAC on a PC for music.  There are perfectly good DACs in my AVR.  What I would like is to take the music out in digital form, likely HDMI, and use some software program that offers a flexible, developed music UI, maybe controlled by my Ipad mini.  I'd also like the HTPC to be physically small if possible.

Is this simple to do?  What software/hardware is recommended? 

[mcgsxr]

I use a Mac Mini, and a USB to Toslink converter, then straight into my receiver.  Controllable via my iPod Touch or iPad with an app called Touchpad.

I use iTunes on the Mini, and the music is Apple Lossless on an external drive. 

You could also run Squeezeserver type software from Logitech, and use a iOS device to wifi control it.

[ratso]

i am thinking that is what i am going to do. i am fed up with having to manually switch my mac mini's audio out from usb dac to hdmi when i quit listening to music. and i am really really tired of having my wife call me at work telling me that there is no sound on netflix when i forget to do this. one would think that a modern computer could just auto switch this, but i guess that is asking far too much.   

[wilsynet]

Audirvana Plus allows you to configure a specific playback device (say, a USB DAC) as the iTunes playback device, and decouple that from system sounds and default audio playback.

Ratso, what are you using to stream Netflix, the web browser?

[rhblum]

To add more info, I'm not using itunes, and would like to stay with flac, since I've got over 200 CDs ripped to flac.  I just thought the iPad mini might make controlling a PC easier.  I guess I should put a couple of software packages on my laptop to try out the UI?  Maybe jriver and ???.  It is a windows 7 pc.

[srb]

Maybe jriver and ???.  It is a windows 7 pc.

J. River Media Center 18 and JRemote for iPad.  Besides being able to specify an ouput different from the Windows default sound driver with multiple WASAPI modes, you can set each sample rate as bit perfect or to upsample or downsample to perfectly match any DAC's capabilities.
 
Steve

[rhblum]

J. River Media Center 18 and JRemote for iPad.  Besides being able to specify an ouput different from the Windows default sound driver with multiple WASAPI modes, you can set each sample rate as bit perfect or to upsample or downsample to perfectly match any DAC's capabilities.
 Steve

If the HTPC goes to my AVR, which has 192K/24 Bit DACs, wouldn't I want to just pass the unmodified digital file thru to the AVR?

[srb]

If the HTPC goes to my AVR, which has 192K/24 Bit DACs, wouldn't I want to just pass the unmodified digital file thru to the AVR?

In your case, yes if your AVR can process all bit rates.  Some receivers only go to 96KHz, while there are some that do go to up 192KHz but may not be able to process every resolution like 88.2KHz or 176.4KHz.
 
Steve

[Austin08]

Well said Steve.

[rhblum]

In your case, yes if your AVR can process all bit rates.  Some receivers only go to 96KHz, while there are some that do go to up 192KHz but may not be able to process every resolution like 88.2KHz or 176.4KHz.
Steve

It handles everything I've purchased from hdtracks, including 88.2 and I think 192...

I prefer getting a good AVR, using its' Dacs, and then being able to use Audyssey room corection.

I'll take a good look at jriver and jremote.  It sounds like what I'm looking for.  Thanks.

Any suggestions for small enclosure PC hardware to be the HTPC?

Bob

[jonbee]

Any suggestions for small enclosure PC hardware to be the HTPC?

I use an ASRock CoreHT mini pc:

http://www.asrock.com/nettop/overview.us.asp?Model=CoreHT Series
Very small size (7x7x3), solid, reliable performer and very quiet. I can't hear it running from 1 foot away. I run Win7 and JRiver and I love it. Terrific sound and convenience. I added a second, 1TB internal HD easily for my library. I back up to a second 1TB external USB HD.
Bought mine barebones for ~$650 about a year ago from New Egg.

[chip]

It handles everything I've purchased from hdtracks, including 88.2 and I think 192...

I prefer getting a good AVR, using its' Dacs, and then being able to use Audyssey room corection.

I'll take a good look at jriver and jremote.  It sounds like what I'm looking for.  Thanks.

Any suggestions for small enclosure PC hardware to be the HTPC?

Bob

What is your price range?

You could buy one of these and add a ssd/memory/OS - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50002136%2040000309&IsNodeId=1&name=Mini%20%2f%20Booksize%20Barebone%20Systems&SpeTabStoreType=0

Otherwise look at this as a build http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/490-computer-audiophile-pocket-server-c-p-s-v3-introduction/

[rhblum]

Thanks all for the info.  I have played around with jriver and jremote now and it looks great and a big improvement over what I have now.  Thanks again.