[SwedeSound]

So, my adventures in hi-fi got a jump start this summer when I stumbled across a pair of Monitor Audio Studio 6's at a yard sale for $10 (I don't think she knew she had $2,500 speakers -- or she did and just didn't care). They are now the cornerstone of my system, and they have changed the way I listen to music. The problem now is I am noticing some weak links in the chain, chiefly my Sony CDP-CX355 (a 300-disc jukebox changer) which is on the fritz. I love the convenience of having most of my music at my fingertips, but it skips so much that it is becoming a pain to listen to.

That has me looking seriously at a LOT of alternatives: music servers (like the Olives - but they're a bit out of reach for me right now); wi-fi networking via Squeezebox or Transporter (with the Transporter a bit out of reach) or even buying a new or used CD jukebox and hoping it won't suffer the same performance issues. The Squeezebox has a lot of appeal, but it seems like it would invite several other purchases: a 500 GB+ ext. hard drive ($150 or so?); an external DAC?; I'm not sure my six-year-old home PC is up to the challenge of running the Slim Devices software, so maybe need a new PC or Mac?; not to mention that my wi-fi network seems to have a hard time reaching my laptop thru the thick walls of our old brownstone.

That said, I could reasonably spend around $300 -- MAYBE $400 -- right now to upgrade ONE piece of this puzzle. I have a Panasonic SA-HE100 5.1 channel amp that has served me well for these past 4 years or so... I'd like to keep it (tho I haven't ruled out upgrading it at some point, too). I guess it comes down to the question of source. I'm inclined to look toward the future and love the notion of putting my existing - and future - music collection on a computer in lossless compression. I've also considered getting a DAC (Zhaolu 2.5c for $199 and some helpful mods with Occam's help?) because it would probably be a part of whatever system I eventually put together.

That's a lot of information to dump on you AC'ers, but I've been reading a lot of posts, and I haven't found the answer I'm looking for... And with LoneWolfNYC in his new role helping noobs find their way, I thought I'd raise my hand for a little help.

Best,

Jason

[lonewolfny42]

Hello Jason....

So what now ? Well lets see......

You got a nice deal on the speakers,Monitor Audio Studio 6's ....and with a good finish, they should be ok...

Your keeping the Panasonic SA-HE100....your happy....good.

Now....for a source.....

"I could reasonably spend around $300 -- MAYBE $400".

That would be the Squeezebox area....a stock SB. And as you mentioned, you could add that Zhaolu 2.5c dac at a later time....

Now...to what you mentioned....

I'm not sure my six-year-old home PC is up to the challenge of running the Slim Devices software, so maybe need a new PC or Mac?; not to mention that my wi-fi network seems to have a hard time reaching my laptop thru the thick walls of our old brownstone.

Well....you won't know until you try it....but I'm no computer geek....so I would try it...and if it does not work out, you could sell the SB....and move to plan B.

That's a lot of information to dump on you AC'ers, but I've been reading a lot of posts, and I haven't found the answer I'm looking for...

The right answer will be what works for you....and what you can afford. Just take your time....one step at a time....thanks.

                                       Chris

[JLM]

The Squeeze Box (if you're computer savy) is the obvious choice.  It offers tons of features, options, and convenience.  It can be modded down the road to achieve world class sound (check out Bolder Cable circle below) or a separate DAC can be added.  But it can also be quite fussy.  Glitches with the computer, local network, and the squeeze box popped up enough for me to dump it as I struggled to figure them all out.  Not being able to simply pop in a CD was another downside.

The Olive products should do away with most of the reliability concerns plus retains the option to simply listen to a CD without ripping.  And Olive is easier to use.  By the time you worry about having/upgrading a computer, you could have paid the difference for the Olive.  And if you only rip your "audiophile grade" recordings that you listen to most, the rather small hard drives in the Olives shouldn't be much of a limitation.

With the internet radio feature of Squeeze Box or Olive, you may not feel the need to have all your music ripped anyway.

[bpape]

For $400 you can have the SB and the stock Elpac power supply.  That at least gives you a good solution now that will work reliably.  The PC doesn't require a lot of guts to run SlimServer.  Eventually you'll want more HD space but that can always be done.

Bryan

[Wayne1]

Jason,

If you are interested in possibly changing your system to hard drive based, and are not sure if your computer is up to it, I would suggest a couple of free downloads to try it before you buy it.

 SlimServer is a free download that contains the program you need to run the SqueezeBox. It also contains a SqueezeBox emulator that can run on your computer so you can get used to the interface.

Easy CD-DA Extractor is the easiest ripping program for .flac files that I know of for a PC. This is 30 day trialware. It is rather easy to set up and you should be able to rip your CDs to your hard drive in less than 8 minutes each.

That should give you a start to see if your present computer is up to what you want it to do.

Running wired ethernet cable would give you the best connection from your router to the SB. You would not have to deal with all the "problems" that can creep up with wi-fi. If that is not possible, I do recommend the Netgear WPN824. I tried three other brands of routers, some for a lot more money, and this solved all my problems with wi-fi. I still run ethernet to most of the network, but having the wi-fi is a nice option.

As Bryan mentioned, The ELPAC WM-220 is a very good upgrade for the power supply that comes with the SB. You can find these surplus on E-Bay.Here is one for $10.00 plus shipping. On page 7 of the current issue of Affordable Audio is an article about the SqueezeBox and the sound with different power supplies.

I DO offer mods to power supplies and the SB, but that can wait until later. 

By trying the free programs, you can get a very good idea if you current gear is able to handle HD based audio and then you can decide where to best invest your audio dollars.

[SwedeSound]

All,

Those are excellent suggestions, and confirm for me the direction I had hoped to go. Frankly, I can see myself having a lot of fun with the Squeezebox and the computer stuff that goes along with it. And with Wayne's help, and suggestion of the Netgear router (which I already have!) I don't think I can go wrong. I'll test drive some of the Slim Devices software ASAP and see if how it goes. I knew I could count on the AC'ers to set me on the right path. Fun stuff. I'll let you know how things proceed.

Many thanks,

Jason

[bprice2]

Jason,

FYI...several months ago I purchased a 500GB HD from Frye's for under $100, and that included shipping. 

Also, I'd bet good money that your 6 yo computer will run Slimserver just fine.

[lonewolfny42]

I'll let you know how things proceed.

Good luck Jason...and please do let us know how it turns out....

                             Chris

[SwedeSound]

Since Chris was nice enough to ask that I let you know how things turned out, I thought I'd share... Tempted as I was by the idea of a Squeezebox, I just couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. If I was going to go that route, I would want to start fresh with a new computer, massive hard drive and a stronger wifi router. That could have taken a lot more saving and convincing of my better half. So I kept my eye on eBay and Agon for a sony "es" line cd megachanger. Found one in PRISTINE condition on eBay and I won the auction for $115. I got it home and it was in great shape and sounded noticeably better than my old megachanger. It also has space for 400 cd's vs. the 300 I used to have. That still forced me to make some choices, but I got rid of a lot of junk and also have been shopping for a LOT more music. And my neighborhood is the place to find a LOAD of used CDs. People are ripping their stuff to computer and then selling their discs. Last weekend, I picked up 14 cds for 12 bucks. All good stuff, including two Ben Harpers, three Grateful Dead, a Ben Folds, Liz Phair, an SRV and even a G. Love and Special Sauce. I like the way my system sounds right now -- a LOT -- so I am turning my attention towards the music for a while. Sitting back with an icy Beefeater and Tonic and savoring the sweet sound of great music.

-Jason

P.S. For grins, I calculated how much I've spent on my system compared with what it was worth NEW (aside from my integrated amp, speaker stands and one interconnect, everything else is used). It's a fun calculation, and it might be an interesting thread I'll start somewhere.... Anyway, I have spent around $500 on everything and the MSRP total is around $3,800 --- those numbers make everything  sound that much better.

[lonewolfny42]

Jason....
Glad it worked out for you...thanks for the follow up....happy listening !!!

                                Chris

[richidoo]

I am turning my attention towards the music for a while. Sitting back with an icy Beefeater and Tonic and savoring the sweet sound of great music....

.... I have spent around $500 on everything

Congrats Jason!! Savor it. You are a wise man. 
Rich