Music Server Model CA02
The "Build An Audiophile Music Server" series continues with some improvements to the Model CA01. Model CA02 is still a very basic music server, but addresses the major backup pitfall of the CA01 and improves the sound with an upgraded USB DAC. The CA02 is also a solution that seeks to serve music without a steep learning curve to operate it. In the previous article I said the CA01 was not a long term solution. Fortunately the CA02 is fully capable of being your long term music server solution. Don't get me wrong, long term certainly does not have anything to do with quality of sound and features. If you are happy with this system, I suggest keeping it until you're unhappy or when you're looking for a jump to the next level. If it sounds good to you, then it's good. With the CA02 your music will be backed up without any user intervention and allow you to sit back and listen without worry.
Model CA01
I trust that readers have already read the CA01 article, so I won't recreate the wheel with every tiny detail. I will reiterate that simplicity and high quality sound are the goals of this system. Some nice features are absent here because they increase the price and complexity from a little to stratospheric. Trust me Computer Audiophile will layout systems for every level of functionality and price, from simple to "Holy S#&T."
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Comments
Posts: 1
Server noise levels
The drawback to both the servers Chris has outlined ("CA01" and "CA02") is that they put the computer in the listening room. To me, the amount of noise from fans and hard drive motors would interfere with the music playing from the speakers.
I think a better choice would be to just have a touchscreen monitor alone in the audio system, then put the computer and drives in an adjoining room (or a well-ventilated closet). I think this is a far better solution, and heavy-duty shielded cables for the monitor and digital audio connections are not that expensive, nor are they complicated.
I do like the idea of a touchscreen interface for a Mac-based audio server, and ultimately I think that's what I'm going to go with.
Posts: 3154
Hi MusicTrax, thanks for
Hey "MusicTrax" nice to talk to you again, thanks for your input. I agree with you 100%. You'll need to give this series of articles time as I have started with the most basic of music servers for people looking to get in the game easily, for little cost, and with little skill involved.
I will cover all configurations of music servers from simple to grand. Stick around, you won't be disappointed.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Posts: 108
Gang, A few things... First
Gang,
A few things...
First I have never had any problems with noise from FANS except on hard drives. One thing you could do though is use the TimeCapsule to store the music. Then use the new TuneRanger software for backups to another device like a USB Hard Drive connected to the TimeCapsule:
http://my.smithmicro.com/win/tuneranger/index.html
For Touch Screens I suggest looking at the ELO stuff... I think the link is ELOTOUCH.com but not sure they have a ton of touch screen for both mac and pc.
Then I think there is also that company axion or something like that that makes a MacBook into a tablett pc.
To really make a killer system I think would be swap out the memory of a MacBook to 4gb and then swap the drive for one of these Samsung 64gb drivers or even smaller since the OS really only needs about 32gb.
Thanks
Gordon
J. Gordon Rankin
~~~~~~~~~~
Wavelength Audio
Posts: 3154
Hi Gordon - I have many
Hi Gordon - I have many configurations in the works, including one that swaps the spinning hard drive for the Samsung 64 GB solid State Drive. These drives look to be fabulous!
Touch screens are also in the works for future systems. I am ramping up to those systems however.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Posts: 10
I can't wait
I can't wait for your next installments! The dac's for these first two are only 16-bit. What would you recommend for 24/96? I've been looking at the PS Audio Digital Link III and the Wavelength Proton, but i'm sure there are many others out there that i haven't even heard of yet.
Doug
Posts: 401
Sounds pretty cool to me for
Sounds pretty cool to me for some aspects, but the touch screens aren't really meant to be portable are they? These would be located in more of a semi permanent location? Wouldn't it be slower for searching vs a keyboard?
Posts: 3154
Hi there Doug - I certainly
Hi there Doug - I certainly will get into the 24/96 DACs as I continue this series of articles. Be careful when you look at 24/96 USB DACs as many of them only support 16/44.1 over USB and 24/96 using the other inputs. The PS Audio unit does not support native 24/96 over USB. Gordon's Proton does however. I haven't heard the Proton, but if it is anything like his other USB DACs you can't go wrong by picking one up.
Benchmark also makes a native 24/96 USB DAC called the DAC1 USB and DAC1 PRE.
Stick around for further articles.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Posts: 57
Have been watching the site
Have been watching the site develop for some time, and decided it's high time I got in on the action. Great work so far BTW!
I'm curious about your backup solution presented here in particular. Can you direct me to more specific information on exactly what process(es) are going on in the background of time capsule/time machine, or what sorts of options (if any) are available in directing how the backup will work? For example if I delete a file on the 'main' machine, is that deletion replicated on time capsule? If not, what happens? What about changes to files? (like updated tagging info or album art).
Also curious how time capsule might be expanded upon (in terms of extra HD space) if required; can you run multiple time capsules (in series) or add extra drives for more storage?
Fantastic to see more audiophiles taking 'PC as source' seriously - mine's sounding amazing!
Posts: 76
Time Capsule Question
Chris,
Can you just use Time Capsule as your primary HD and just stream your music into you MAC and out to the DAC.
Also, any comments on the citypulse that is USB also. Does it to 24/96 over USB?
Jim
Posts: 3154
Hey Jim - You certainly can
Hey Jim - You certainly can use the Time Capsule as your main hard drive and stream your music to your Mac & out the DAC.
I looked at the Citypulse DA2.03e II DAC USB and I don't think it can do 24/96 via USB. The only reason I say this is because of the limited number of DACs that can do 24/96 via USB and the fact that those DACS make it well know they have native USB 24/96 support.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile