burningpanda

Thanks for an interesting thread. I think HDMI can can sound great if implemented well. I'm using HDMI from a small form factor PC to a NAD M51 DAC (uses I2S bus which has the clock signal embedded and should reduce jitter), RCA out to an Arcam AVR600. I got inconsistent results and random noise using USB (plus having to use USB drivers on the PC) but HDMI works all the time and sounds better IMHO. Direct connection (PC to AVR) via HDMI sounds flat in comparison. However good the DAC in the Arcam it's not a patch on a standalone $2k DAC. I can't comment on 5k DACS because I don't have one but obviously the greater the transparency of your system as a whole the more likely you are to hear the improvements a good DAC can bring. I've got an HRT Microstreamer which is similar to the meridian Explorer and I love it. Those little DACs must be the biggest bargain in hifi IMHO but the same applies. My opinions on the HRT at greater length. HRT Microstreamer vs the best of what I've got. - Product Reviews & Personal Opinions (Moderated) - StereoNET Australia

Personally i'll stick with my Cowon X7. No 24bit support but similar cludgy UI, 120Gig HD and half the price.

I have JRemote set up on an iPod Touch... i want to do the same on another Touch - both accessing the same PC. Before i purchase another copy of the app from iTunes are there any potential issues in doing this? It's not likely we'd be using both at the same time but would there be conflicts/password issues? Thanks

Thanks for a great write-up that answered all I wanted to know about streamlining JRiver MC for audio. Had d/l the demo but was less than enthusiastic about all the bells and whistles after years as a Foobar user. Your article couldn't have been more timely.

Thanks, that's interesting to know. My DAC and current setup don't allow me to confirm that hi-res is being streamed correctly so i might have to reconfigure to check that. This thread and support replies seem to indicate output is limited to 16 bit.http://support-remote.splashtop.com/entries/20022852-how-can-i-turn-off-audio-streaming-in-splashtop-remote

hmmm... wasn't aware of that. Current specs http://www.cirlinca.com/products.htm

Cirlinca DVD-Audio Solo to compile and burn the rips. As stated the Oppo 83 handles watermarked files (there's lists of suitable players if you Google) and of course Foobar has a DVD-A plug in that allows them to be played on a PC.

Complain bitterly on the Splashtop forums. They need to be acutely aware this is pretty much the only reason a lot of even purchased the app.

Only limited by your imagination and wallet! I've got a PC with USB connection - Firestone Bravo/CA 840C DAC - AVR600 RCA inputs.Previously i was using a Xonar ST card from PC to Arcam, sounded nice but the present combo opened up the soundstage hugely. Also have a i5 based laptop running HDMI into the AVR600 for surround sources (oh and an Oppo BDP83 connected via HDMI). 2 channel sources sounded wrong via HDMI and i needed different sub settings etc but it costs nothing to try (if you've got a PC with appropriate HDMI output). In summary you'll get the best results with the best DAC you can afford :-)

i use a little Asus atom powered netbook as a music server (playing mainly FLAC) and it's fine. Occassionally it stutters a little - but only when coming out of sleep mode (maybe a memory thing) so shutting down after use is best. There's not much hard drive space on a netbook however so i have a 1TB external drive too. The portability is nice... plug in a dac/headphone amp and it's easy to take with you or move around the house. As stated there's a whole lot of factors that may determine whether you could indeed hear differences in compressed audio files - not least the quality/resolution of the rest of your system.