Computer Audiophile is for people looking to take the next step in their high quality music listening experience and to discuss everything audiophile related in the forums. The main focus is on Hi-Fi audio equipment that produces audiophile quality sound from a computer / music server. Previously using a computer in an audiophile grade system was unheard of. Now, Macs and PCs are quickly supplementing standalone transports, CD players and large collections of physical media. In the near future purchasing physical media, other than vinyl and reel-to-reel tape, will be a thing of the past and computer based systems will be replacing instead of supplementing the physical media based components. Many audiophiles see this as the end of high quality music reproduction. Fortunately the opposite is true.
Those of us who often switch between several high resolution albums know that the current iTunes / Audio Midi situation is less than ideal. Even switching between outputs can be inconvenient. SoundSource 2.0 from Rogue Amoeba does not solve the auto sample rate recognition issue, but does make life a little easier for OS X users.
I began the music server series here on Computer Audiophile with some very basic systems. These music servers were great solutions for readers looking to get in the game or upgrade an existing starter system. One of the problems with this approach was that readers often wanted more. I received countless emails from readers, manufacturers, and dealers asking what parts of these music servers I would upgrade to accomplish a specific goal. I have literally spent months testing different DACs, interfaces, operating systems, storage solutions etc... I've also been working with some very highly respected people in the high end audio & music industry comparing notes about sound quality, library functionality, file formats, and everything else under the sun. All of this work continues and I can promise you some very big things are in store for computer audiophiles. Right now there are a couple solutions that I, and others, consider reference quality. These music servers sound better than almost any traditional transport/DAC solution available today. What's more, while increasing sound quality and taking convenience to a whole new level you can save tens of thousands of dollars in the process.
I've had my eye on the Stello DACs from April Music for some time now. When April released the Stello DA100 Signature DAC I knew it was time to get one in here for review. The Signature DAC is loaded with inputs. I love DACs that give audiophiles options via five different digital inputs. These options are critically important as people begin trying different methods of integrating computers into their audio systems. Along with the numerous input options, there is one feature that all the Computer Audiophile readers have been clamoring for, upsample bypass!
Those of you using a NAS drive to store your music collection know that mounting the drive is very important. Launching iTunes before the NAS drive is mounted will reset your music folder location to the default local folder. Then the dreaded exclamation marks appear next to every track. It's not the end of the world to recover from this, but it's far easier to prevent it from happening.
Windows fans can no longer say Computer Audiophile is too focused on Macs. I now have Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit installed and I'm working on getting excellent audio reproduction as you read this. I picked up a Mac Pro for my main music server and I've been configuring it for what seems like 48 hours straight. Mac OS X is no problem to configure and in fact it was up and running about 10 minutes after power on. The time consuming part is Windows Vista Ultimate 64 Bit.
The very cool Norwegian website 2L is offering more high resolution content. If you haven't browsed the site yet I highly recommend it. In addition to Marianne Thorsen / TrondheimSolistene in full stereo and 5.1 surround at 24/192, 2L is offering a download of the first Bluray Audio album. No need to purchase a Bluray player when you can just download the content! Checkout the album booklet for some detailed information about high resolution audio from 2L.
Many of us can't afford to purchase a piece of equipment that does one thing and one thing only. We often go for the item that does one thing great and has the ability to do many other things pretty well. Sometimes this even helps us justify the purchase with a significant other. The Apple TV works as a nice wireless audio device while at the same time enables your spouse to download every episode of Sex In The City via the iTunes Store. A new push lawnmower enables your spouse to get exercise while mowing the lawn. Or, maybe not. Those of you looking for a great NAS storage device for all your music, and a device that the rest of the family can use, must take a closer look at the QNAP TS-409 Turbo NAS.
Bryston is now shipping its highly anticipated BDA-1 DAC. This DAC has a plethora of inputs including USB and just about every other input you may need. The BDA-1 will please many "purists" who don't care for upsamping. This DAC includes the ability to disengage the upsampling feature. The BDA-1 could be the best of both worlds for those looking to upsample on some material and let other material pass through untouched. Read more for all the information straight from James Tanner of Bryston.
The new John Mellencamp album Life, Death, Love and Freedom was released today in the ΧΟΔΕ (CODE) format. The ΧΟΔΕ DVD containing the files also comes packaged with the Redbook CD release. Computer Audiophiles will be happy to hear the files are available in three formats. The formats are 256 kbps AAC and mp3, and 24/96 WAV files. I am working with the WAV files right now and will have more information about the experience very soon. Read more for some photos of what you'll find on the ΧΟΔΕ DVD.
