Hello Everyone, another new member looking for advice from those who have gone before! One of the first things I learned about proceeding in this direction was to protect your time investment with your storage devices. A friend of mind helped me build a dedicated server using a RAID 5 array with 1.5TB of storage for this endeavor. My computers and audio equipment are in different rooms in my home so direct connection would be very difficult. Other than that and my existing audio equipment, the rest has been developed from articles in magazines and what I have been able to get from my initial reading of the forums on this excellent site.
My current plans are as follows:
Use EAC to read my collection in full resolution (AIFF?) and import into iTunes.
Use Logitech Duet or Squeezebox to interface through a wireless network.
Use the digital output of the above to feed an external DAC. I am currently looking at a PS Audio DLIII modified by Cullen Circuits.
Analog output to my existing audio system.
I hope to get the best possible sound from this type of setup. Any suggestions, comments, etc are very welcome. Although I am somewhat audio savvy, I have very little experience in this arena.
Your help is greatly appreciated!
Gary
Posts: 2809
Hi Gary - Welcome to
Hi Gary - Welcome to Computer Audiophile. You are on a really nice path to a really nice sounding system. I think your choices are very smart for your specific needs. Go with the Duet because it has a pretty nice remote. But, then you won't be able to play the music through iTunes. You may want to look into an Apple device like Airport Express or Apple TV. Otherwise just go with the Duet adn Squeezecenter software. You'll be pretty happy with the system compared to physical discs.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Posts: 11
Hi Chris, Thanks for
Hi Chris,
Thanks for responding so quickly! The main reason I selected iTunes was that I use an iPod when I travel, etc. and I like the its file management interface. I was under the impression that the Squeezecenter software would work with iTunes in this fashion? I would hate to think that I would need two applications to manage my needs. Since my computer is in another room, I had ruled out the Airport Express and right now I just can't bring myself to having a computer/laptop in with my audio equipment just to select albums and hit play. I guess that perfect solutions are just hard to come by . . . . . .
Best regards,
Gary
Posts: 297
I'd take the simplest path,
I'd take the simplest path, Gary.
Mac Mini/hard drive array>Airport Express>external DAC>analog system>iPod Touch for a remote control.
That way you keep to one application (and the best one at that - iTunes) for home and mobile and all the advantages of Core Audio built into the Mac's OS. Another option is a Mac notebook, with your hard drives plugged into an Airport Extreme in the computer room. Then you can use the notebook as a remote, and add in an Apogee Duet for a high-end headphone system that can access your entire music library from anywhere in the house.
Some think that you need to add a digital transport/reclocker at the AE to remove jitter and convert optical to coax before going to your DAC. I seriously doubt that is necessary, but let your ears be the judge.
Tim
I confess. I'm an audiophool.
Posts: 122
EAC
If you rip to with EAC and then import to iTunes I don't know if you'll end up with decent tagging, so try a tester first if you insist on going this way.
I'd suggest going the full Apple route though. Rip with iTunes to Apple Lossless. Control that library with an iPod Touch; an interface I loved so much I sold my Duet.
System 1: Mac Mini > AVI ADM9.1 / ADM9 subwoofer
System 2: AEX > Plinius 8100 > AVI Neutron 5
AVI ADM9 Owners Club
Posts: 2809
Hi Gary - Tim's suggestion
Hi Gary - Tim's suggestion is a very good one. Use the iPod Touch or iPhone and leave the computer elsewhere if you need to.
The SB software does work with iTunes but I think it's a real downer of an app and it's required to play music through the SB units.
You'll get to your goal. Everything that you need is available right now. Let me know how I can help.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Posts: 11
Thanks guys! These
Thanks guys! These suggestions have opened up my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. I was really hoping that this would happen. The whole idea of the iPod Touch/AE interface was something I had not seen or considered. This option would also allow me to begin with my current hardware and proceed from there.
I was also somewhat skeptical about the EAC/iTunes issue and it would appear that most are comfortable with the error correction capabilities of just using iTunes? Any additional comments on importing selection, AIFF, etc. Vs Apple Lossless, etc?
I assume the optical connection from the AE is the preferred method for current and future high resolution audio? I thought I had seen that this cable is available from a known source? Don't most external DAC's preform adequate jitter reduction and make this issue somewhat mute? I am not familar with the devices that Tim mentioned to perform this function before inputing this signal into the DAC. Is there a link for these types of discussions?
Chris, other than the PS Audio DLIII and Benchmark DAC1, are there others that might be on your short list for my research and review?
Lots of good answers lead to more thoughts and questions. Thanks for taking the time to enlighten me and help me achieve my freedom from too many silver disks.
Gary
Posts: 297
Gary, I wouldn't even
Gary, I wouldn't even consider the use of the devices I mentioned until you have the system up and running and are listening. If you hear a problem, then look for solutions. And let me know what you hear, because I'm of the belief, as are many who have studied it, that jitter is a non-issue in contemporary gear, within the limits of human hearing. If you run into anyone claiming jitter is audible in modern equipment, check, as I have, to be sure their studies have employed methodologies to reduce psychological bias. IE: double blind listening tests. Any study unwilling to verify the audibility of their findings through ABX testing is highly suspect, in my view.
If you can't hear it, it isn't worth spending money on. If it can't be verified in double blind tests and you hear it, you're probably a victim of your own psychological bias.
Some prefer digital coaxial to optical (jitter again) but again, be sure you hear problems before you spend $140 (Trends UD-10) or $900 (Empirical Audio) to solve them. I'm guessing that if you take optical out of an AE into your Beresford, you're going to hear beautiful music that's as good as, of not better than playing the cd through the Beresford.
AIF vs. Lossless: Lossless is lossless, and iTunes it is so easy to use that there is no real reason to do anything else. Just make sure you turn on error correction in iTunes and what plays back will be a bit-perfect match to what was on the original CD. I've ripped hundreds of CDs and every error I've found on my hard drive is duplicated on the original disc.
And enjoy. It is a wonderful way to manage you music library, you will find yourself listening to things you haven't put in your cdp in years.
Tim
I confess. I'm an audiophool.
Posts: 2809
Hi Gary - In my opinion
Hi Gary - In my opinion iTunes rips as good as anything else. The only negative part is you don't get any feedback in terms of a log file etc...
Lossless v. uncompressed is totally up to you. I like AIFF uncompressed.
Monster sells a mini optical to standard toslink cable.
There are a ton of DACs out there with many feature sets. The DLIII and DAC1 both have very different feature sets and really good sound. You should be able to demo these DACs. I suggest starting lite with the built-in DAC in the AE and then trying something else. The AE will give you a baseline to compare anything else to.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Posts: 297
Sorry Gary, I got you mixed
Sorry Gary, I got you mixed up with someone, somewhere, who has a Beresford DAC. If you don't have an external DAC yet, I'm with Chris. Start with the DAC in the AE and go from there.
Tim
I confess. I'm an audiophool.
Posts: 11
At this point in the
At this point in the discussion, I think it may be important to know what I have on the audio side to help determine my path between the AE and my audio system. Then again, it might not change a thing . . . .
I am currently using a Audio Research Preamp, Bel Canto Power Amps, a heavily modified Jolida Tube-Output CDP and Dynaudio Spreakers on my 2 channel system. I also listen to my vinyl collection on this sytem as well. I provide this information as I'm not sure that I would be satisfied with the analog output from the AE feeding this equipment. Of course, this is purely my current opinion with nothing other than previous experience with other audio components to back it up.
I am extremely excited with the iPod Touch/AE solution moving forward. This is far and away the better solution for me vs. my initial concept. I guess that I could feed my HT PrePro with the digital signal from the AE to get a base line for going forward using the HT bypass on my ARC Preamp? My HT system was built around Rotel components several years ago, no slouch but not near the sound quality of my 2 channel system.
Tim, you seem to be very knowledgeable and well respected on this site. My I ask what your background is? I'm guessing that you are connected to the recording industry in some fashion, artist, engineer, combination of the two?
Both you and Chris continue to be invaluable to me and I really appreciate your expertise! I now have several friends and family members watching my progress before they also take this step forward.
Gary