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rappsy

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  1. Hello: Always get good advice here so here's where I bring the questions. I am looking for an inexpensive media streamer (reveiver) to send the signal from JRiver Media Center (which has it's own streamer) to my small stereo in my bedroom so that I can play all the items on the JRiver in the bedroom. I encode in FLAC, so it must play that. I know that Squeezebox will do it, but I want it to be very inexensive. As long as the sound is okay, that is all I need as the stereo is not that great and it will mostly be background in that room. I will use the TV to choose the menu and the stereo to listen to it through. I saw the Logitech Wireless DJ and although I know that it theoretically it is not a streamer, it probably would do the job but doesn't support FLAC. I read somewhere that it actually takes the signal out of the USB and sends that to the reciever in the other room and that the encoder doesn't matter because the signal is coming out of USB after it has been decoded by the software, but I am little confused by that. Recommendations??? Thanks as always. Lenny...
  2. Hi Again:<br /> <br /> Ok. I've made some decisions based on the wonderful feedback. I also want to thank Chris and everybody else who took the time to explain some of these questions in English. Other sites are so overtly technical that I couldn't figure out what was being said. There is a difference between data and information. Over there, I got data. Here I received information. Thanks.<br /> <br /> I am using my Musiland MD-10 DAC for my computer audio. Based on suggestions here, I will be using a USB out of the computer to USB in to my DAC instead of SPDIF out of the computer to the DAC. (This machine has multiple inputs.) As USB is different technically, does the cable matter? To get some sounds out of the system, I am using the USB cable that came with my printer, but I supposed there is something better. I will need about 8-10 feet. I am also using AISO as the output from JRiver. Do I need to order online, or is there a quality cable that Best Buy or Circuit or Radio Shack sells?<br /> <br /> Also, I need recommendations on a ground loop isolator. I have one from Radio Shack but the RCA's are hard wired. Any recommendations or does it matter? The isolators has reduced my buzz to zip so I know it works, but is there something bette?. I am not hearing any sound degradation, but is there? I know Radio Shack gets it share of criticism but they do a good job on many fronts.<br /> <br /> Also, the Musiland is now burned in. Do I need to keep it on all the time, or is an instant on good enough for listening? Should it be turned on for 2 minutes, 5 minutes before for best sound.? It's solid state, so I wouldn't think it would need much time to get up and running. I would prefer not to leave it on all the time.<br /> <br /> That's it for now.<br /> <br /> Lenny...
  3. Hi Chris:<br /> <br /> Thanks for the direct answers. Let's continue on.<br /> <br /> I see you highly recommended the AIFF format. I understand that it will work with many players including Itunes and the IPOD, so that is indeed handy, but it is also uncompressed and therefore as big as wav's. Does it tag, etc?<br /> <br /> How does FLAC stand up to it? I see that it is about 30-40% smaller and it can be put back into a WAV file for making music CD's with no loss in quality, and when playing it back on Foobar or JRiver it will sound as good as the original. I also understand that FLAC files will not work on Itunes or the IPOD, so it's another step when wanting to play it on these types of machines.<br /> <br /> How does Apple Lossless compare to FLAC? I assume it plays directly on the Ipod and Itunes as is, with no need to convert it to something else?<br /> <br /> If I want to go Lossless instead of uncompressed, what is my best option?<br /> <br /> As far as ripping goes, if you say that it doesn't really matter, then I will probably just go with the ripper in JRIVER. It has Flac, but does not include many other codecs, but I assume I can easily add those into the program. I don't need the best or the most technical, just one that does a good job. JRiver has error correction, so I guess I should enable that.<br /> <br /> As far as player goes, I assume JRIver is as good as most. I know that Foobar has tons of expansion, but even though I was able to get it to play, I couldn't get the GUI to do what I want, and trying to read through the various tutorials has me thinking that it is overkill. I should spend that time enjoying the music. I also saw Catrixx ($40) and Jet Audio, but I think JRiver is where I'm headed . Opinion?<br /> <br /> I installed ASIO. I assume that as long as the player plays sounds when I choose ASIO, than it recognizes the software. I assume that ASIO is software driven and that I don't have to install anything hardware wise.<br /> <br /> Well, as long as you don't mind the questions, I will keep on firing them to the forum. My next post will probably be on the specific settings that I will need to use to maximize the perfomance of the different software programs.<br /> <br /> Thanks in advance and sorry if there are any repeat questions.<br /> <br /> Lenny...
  4. Thanks Chris for the followup. Here are a few more questions. I realize that many of the following questions are totally subjective, but I think at this point, I just need someone to TELL ME what they think I should do instead of more and more suggestions.<br /> <br /> Are you saying that I should go USB to USB for the computer to the DAC and SPDIF from the DVD/CDP player to the DAC instead of trying to convert the USB out of the computer to SPDIF?<br /> <br /> Even though there is supposedly a difference in SPDIF vs USB, are you saying that in my case there will probably be little difference.? Based on what I know about myself, I would rate myself somewhere between 1 and 2 on the following scale:<br /> <br /> 1) Someone who is not technical, but has a decent stereo system, 2000 regular CD's, Outlaw receiver, universal DVD/CD player and Axiom M60 Tower Speakers.<br /> <br /> 2) Audiophile.<br /> <br /> 3) Technophile.<br /> <br /> I understand that and SPDIF cable is the preferable method out of the DVD/CD player than a Toslink optical cable. True??<br /> <br /> You mentioned that it doesn't make sense for me to play CD's out of the transport of the computer and that I should rip it first. I will not be ripping all CD's to the computer so sometimes will be doing this. Is this something I should not even consider? I suppose I can play it with the CD player, but I wll be trying to stay more with the computer.<br /> <br /> Software:<br /> I can see the benefit of using FLAC for Lossless reproduction. Is there really that big a difference in FLAC than MP3 using approx 256 or 320? Also, on jRIver, when I use FLAC it asks me for a number which is the Quality setting and it defaults to 6. Is that a good number to use?<br /> <br /> Also, is the JRiver ripping feature as good as others, such as EAC or dbpoweramp? I tried using EAC, and not being technically oriented, I'm lost. I have not tried dbpoweramp yet.<br /> <br /> The same thing with FooBar 2000. I got it to make sounds, but getting it to look and act like I want was not successful. Is JRiver a good alternative? What about JetAudio? <br /> <br /> I downloaded the AISO software and it becomes an option in JRiver. Is that the setting I should use when going through the USB to my DAC?<br /> <br /> Thanks again.<br /> <br /> Lenny...
  5. I read with great interest this thread and although I followed a good part of it, I have some more questions that I know are very subjective, but I think at this point I just need someone to tell me what to do.<br /> <br /> I have the Musiland MD-10 and want to use it to 1) go out of the DVD/CD player and 2) more importantly, my computer. So here are the questions:<br /> <br /> * Do I come out of the computer using SPDIF into SPDIF of the MD-10?<br /> * Do I come out of the computer using USB into the SPDIF of the MD-10 assuming there is even a cable or converter to allow this to happen?<br /> * Do I come out of the computer using USB into USB of the MD-10? <br /> <br /> I will be using the disc drive of the computer to play regular CD's and hard drive music? I am currently confused as to using something like FLAC or MP3 at 256 or 320?<br /> <br /> I am not technically advanced so don't really understand the underlying principles of what make this better or worse. I do however, know what I like and what I want out of my sound.<br /> <br /> One more thing. I have downloaded JR River free music jukebox and it is very easy to set it up and start using. I also downloaded FOOBAR 2K and am having a devil of a time configuring it. I also downloaded EAC and also am having a difficult time in geting it set up. Would dbPoweramp be a better way to go? Or what about using the ripping features of JRiver or Foobar?<br /> <br /> I am enjoying being a part of this community.
  6. Thanks Chris. It's a pleasure to be here and I look forward to being a part of the community. I started looking into a DAC as I figured I could get two bangs for my buck with it improving my source (CD Player) and the computer output. * Is this a viable line of thinking? * Is the computer's disk drive good as a transport when using the DAC out of the computer? * If the computer's disk drive singal is going out of the USB port into the DAC, is it the same with harddrive music in the computer going out the USB port as well? IF so, I assume software is driving it into the USB port? Does the software make a difference as to what is leaving the computer? Is there a good software program for this? I haven't ruled out buying just a CD player yet, but I am leaning towards the DAC. I did some reading on the PS Audio you recommended and it looks good except I really don't know what I'm reading yet and it's 2x what I want to spend at this time? Any others I should be looking at? Also, is there good music management software for managing large collections, I guess the quality that would be on a music server? I tried JR River and it looks good but hasn't been updated in 2 years and I'm sure there are more. I am sure I will fill the board with questions that have been asked before, but I tend to ramble and then become quiet. Thanks in advance. Lenny...
  7. I rambled on in the original message, so let me be more concise. I am looking to improve my source which is now a Pioneer 563 Universal player. I don't care about the video too much. The music is the thing. I was considering improving the source with a new CD Player, but then thought that maybe I should invest in a DAC which would improve the Pioneer dramatically and I will be able use it also on my computer, as I have been putting more of my music on the computer. The way I understand it is that the standalone DAC with my existing player may even make a better sound than a new CD Player. The question is: Will the sound be dramatically improved by the use of a DAC ($300-500 price range) with my current player as compared to buying another CD Player in this price range and can I use the DAC with the Pioneer and the computer output? I assume it will go out of the Pioneer optical out, but where does it go out of the computer? To benefit from a DAC, it has to go out of an digital out so where would it go out from the computer? I don't need a new source if I am going to be using a DAC as I have the Pioneer and a computer. Correct? Will the DAC improve both sources? It seems to me if it does, then I have gotten 2 improvements for the price of one. I don't know as I only learned about DAC's in the last few days and am a little lost. Thanks so much again. Lenny...
  8. Hello: New to the forum. I have a good feeling from what I have read so far that I will be able to find the answers that I have been trying to get answered by going to the specialized AV Forums and find that they answer questions with more questions. Thanks for any help in advance. I have an Outlaw 1070 receiver and love it. They are hooked up to a pair of Axiom M60's and no subwoofer (the bass is plenty and never felt I needed to add one.) At this time, I do not use a center, but have an Infinity that is not being used. For the rear, I use an old pair of Infiniti bookshelves and they do the job. I am looking to buy a DVD/CD player or a standalone CD Player or most recently I have been reading about a DAC and now I am totally confused. I currently own a Pioneer 563A which is adequate, but I think I am ready for another one unless an added DAC will do the job. A friend loaned me an original Rega Planet (10 years old) and when I hooked it up, I noticed the difference in the soundstage, presence, and definition, if not a little laid back relaxed sound, which is perfectly fine as I listen to everything flat. It wasn't a drastic difference, but it was noticeable. With it’s age, the cost would be $250 to purchase her machine and it was well cared for and used sparingly. I am willing to go more if you think that it will work for me after reading the following. My listening habits are as follows: I do not have any DVD-A and SACD disks and have no intention of ever using them. I own thousands of regular CD's and this will be my prominent listening. Mostly rock, but I also like blues, contemporary jazz, and have soundtracks and New Age. I can easily go from Deep Purple to Buddy Guy to Guys and Dolls in one sitting. My CD or CD/DVD player will be used 85% CD listening and 15% DVD, so as you can see the importance will be in the music. I have seen OPPO but it seems to more video oriented instead of audion. I have read about Cambridge, Arcam, and Rotel as well. Should the audio out of the machine be used with an optical out or coax out or are the RCA outs good enough. Is one more preferable and is it substantially better than regular audio cables out? I realize if I use a DAC it is optical out. The more I read about DAC's the more I think this is what I want. Also, can the DAC be split so that I can hook it up to a CD player and to the computer so that I can get 2 bangs for my buck. Can I use the computer as the transport to the DAC as well? Computerized music is where it's headed and I would like to be ready. I need someone to tell me why DAC's are the way to go, if they are indeed the way to go. If not, recommendations of a machine are also needed. I am looking in the $300-500 range for either of my solutions, but if convinced, I could go more. This is long term and I'm not going to let a few bucks get in the way. I know this is a lot and I thank you so much in advance for your help. Lenny...
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