[lucky]

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 

[kfr01]

lucky:

You can get a lot for $3-5k.

Sound quality isn't much of an issue for the PC / transport side, you just need something fast enough to play FLAC.  This isn't an issue with your budget.  Any FLAC decoder / player should produce the exact same result. 

Sound quality will rather be determined by how you get the sound -out- of the PC once it is decoded.  The current state of the art is to use USB to a standalone USB dac (see products by PS Audio and Bel Canto), a more full-featured devices such as the Slim Devices Squeezebox, or a USB-->SPDIF converter and a standalone vanilla DAC.

I, for one, am not willing to go with the smaller interface of the Squeezebox.  I have been using a USB-->SPDIF converter into a standalone DAC.  The PS Audio USB DAC is on order, and I will evaluate my current solution against it.


Now, let me get this right, you don't want to build your own PC?

[lucky]

Thanks for the feedback, to answer your question, no I don't really want to build it myself.  Lack of time and knowledge would do nothing but frustrate and throw money away.  In a perfect world, I would purchase something that I could tweak with not actually having to open the pc or whatever.  buying the different components is no big deal. Would I still use any of my current cables or does this call for things I don't currently own.  Thanks for all the help.

[JoshK]

I feel sorry for his wife and kids.

[kfr01]

JoshK:

Huh?

lucky:

You'll likely be able to use any cables you already own.  I don't think I'd worry about that now.  I would just pay a local computer builder to build a silentpc with some big hard drives. 

Get a USB DAC (http://www.psaudio.com/products/digital_link_iii.asp), and be done with it.

This way you never have to open the computer case and the USB DAC works just like a normal soundcard.  Keep the volume up all the time and use the volume control on your preamp. 

[JoshK]

Somehow I managed to click on the wrong thread....I meant my reply in regards to the croc hunter's death.  This laptop's mouse thingy is touchy, I must have goofed. Sorry for the confusion.....carry on.

[avta]

lucky:
I've been using a Mac Mini computer which I bought used and an external hard drive. The computer is small and very quiet..about the size of a book. I'm using iTunes which is software that came with the computer to rip and play music files. I've found this setup very easy to use and to produce excellent sounding music. There are lots of external drives you can buy and I'm sure you would find one that was big enough and quiet enough for you. I use a Squeezebox2 with a wireless connection from a Netgear Rangemax router. The Mac has a built in 802.11g and Bluetooth card.
Guy

[Levi]

Hi Lucky - Have you checked the Olive products?  I think that would be an excellent solution for you.  Regards - Levi

[woodsyi]

If you really do not want SPDIF, then it would rule out Sqeezebox.  Also, I believe there has been posts that stated that PS audio and Bel Canto USB DACs still convert back to SPDIF.  I agree that I2S/USB theoretically should get better sound but a well executed SPDIF DAC is pretty darned good.  But if you insist, let me help you spend your money.  I think I would do the following.  I bet it would sound good.   

PC built in this case.
http://www.devhardware.com/c/a/Computer-Cases/Zalman-TNN-500A-Fanless-PC-Case-Review/

Get this unit from Steve.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=29348.0

Or this from Wavelength Audio.
http://www.wavelengthaudio.com/Cosecant-det.html



Get a Network Attatched Storage like this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822329012

Rip whatever into it and play it.  I doubt you have enough music to fill 2 TB.