aviateur

Hi Lowerend: JRiver was chosen for the following reasons: 1) due to its elegance in managing views, 2) back office music inventory source data which is passed to a Microsoft Access database as well as 3) comprehensive networking features. To address your HDMI-direct connect approach, it is not a viable solution within my home. The music server is in a separate part of my home away from the area where the listening and viewing is done. The establishment of a Ethernet home network provides remote playback capability, wired and wireless, so all computer, audio, and video components need not be co-located. Since I last posted, I have acquired a loaner DAC, a Linn Akurate DSM, which is connected in a wired manner and, as such, allows me to use it as a renderer. I then have experimented with Linn software called Kazoo and a Windows 7 notebook as the control point. Linn Kazoo use the categorization and playlists built within JRiver MC but, more importantly, provides the elusive 'gapless' playback that everyone desires for track-to-track uninterrupted flow of sound (think Tears for Fears, The Hurting, tracks Mad World and Pale Shelter with no interruption between the two tracks). Incidentally, JRiver operationally functions with the system configuration I am testing but it doesn't provide 'gapless' playback. I have read where JRemote (another JRiver component) and iPad will provide 'gapless' playback but I do not own an iPad ... maybe in time if the need arises. So far, my test results have indicated that I will probably choose the Linn Akurate DS, not DSM, for my audio system DAC component. By the way, the DSM version includes a pre-amplifier. For me, this is redundant since that is the main purpose of the McIntosh MX121. Cheers, Lawrence

Tranz, Hi: Thanks for the great suggestion. I believe the MB100 is a proprietary solution while the MX121 is definitely a DLNA-compliant device. Well, I have good news to report. I was able to launch MX121 as a media server, which appeared in three places: 1) on my Windows 7 server where the physical 'flac' library resides; 2) on the Windows 7 notebook, which was wired; and 3) on the Windows 7 notebook, which was wireless. Both wired scenarios are on the same router as the MX121. To prepare for the test, I just removed the Ethernet cable from the MB100 and placed it in the MX121, powered all equipment down, reset the modem and router, powered all equipment up, and then launched JRiver. In each scenario, the MX121 appeared in the Playing Now' menu section. I made it the curent zone and started to play music. I was speechless. So, like any kid who has been away from the candy store for an extended period of time, I sampled many, many artists for a couple of hours. I think I now know what is meant by the 'gapless' problem. Also, I looked at the 'AudioPath' while each scenario was playing. I noted that in each instance, the JRiver audio engine was not being used. I am assuming this is normal since I am asking the MX121 to be the media server. By the way, the MX121 media server display (which appeared on the Vizio display) indicated the type of file being processed (played), which was 'flac' in each instance. The quality of the output was pretty good considering I am also breaking in new speakers. Although, the high end did seem a bit accentuated for my taste. The sound of the letter 'S' when sung was pretty shrilly. By the way, I read a little of a recent thread here about a new Schitt DAC that costs $2300. Boy, do I feel really stupid acquiring the MB100. I will be returning that unit with haste. Now, I am going to read about UPnP and DLNA. I am very grateful for your help. Thanks, Lawrence

Hello 'tranz': Thank you so much for the quick, very thoughtful and comprehensive reply. This is precisely what I was looking for to get started. It will take a little time to understand all your recommendations but at least now I know what to research and what questions to ask. I promise to reply when I settle on a configuration and start testing. I have thought and continue to think that I need a physical external DAC connected to the MX121, which still might be the solution but perhaps there are multiple ways to solve this problem. I had heard about the MX121 DAC shortcomings. That was the reason the McIntosh MB100 MediaBridge was suggested and chosen. So after 3 months of the MB100 serving no purpose but to collect dust in my audio system, I have empirically deduced that either my local McIntosh dealer technical support group is inept or the MB100 does not work with JRiver. Maybe both are true. But with help from people like you, I will solve this problem. As an aside, just this past week I tested a JRiver MC server / client configuration, in prototype fashion, successfully between my Windows 7 music server and a Windows 7 notebook employed as a client in the same target Ethernet network. It was a fairly simple setup: a few settings on the server side; specific login information on the client side and 'voila!', music was coming out of the client computer speakers. This wireless test was purely to bring music into a room away from the server room but, more importantly, the test revealed that JRiver functions as a network media server in my home network environment. I'm sure others would consider this a small step but it was an important one to learn. By the way, are there better alternatives to JRiver and Oppo? I have used JRiver Media Jukebox for awhile but I am new to the Oppo world. I agree with your JRiver assessment. I sent the following comment to JRivers' Hillegass when I was queried about my trial experience: "One gets the impression that an electrical engineering degree or years of empirical experience with esoteric equipment is required before one actually understands the majority of the posts. And by the way, it does not get more ‘vanilla’ than my environment: Windows-based ‘flac’ source files sent over a wired home Ethernet network to a one zone, 2-channel stereo audio system." Oppo is brand new to me but my video experience so far has been good. I will keep my 'ear to the rail' regarding your firmware warning. Again, thanks for extending a hand to help jump on the 'networked media' treadmill. Lawrence

I am new to the Computer Audiophile forum. I discovered this site by reading a post in the JRiver Interact forum. You would think there would many subject experts for this answer but, so far, I have been unsuccessful in uncovering just one. So, here is my experience so far. I went to the local McIntosh dealer months ago with repeated monthly follow-up calls ... no viable solution yet; I posted on the JRiver Interact Forum nine days ago ... no replies; I recently called Berkeley Audio ... they had no time for me and did not extend an invitation to call back. To say I am disappointed, would be an understatement. I have a McIntosh-based audio system with no identified network DAC solution yet to bring the digital source files from my office, where the music server resides, to the theatre room, where the audio system resides. So I am appealing to the 'smartest guys in the room' who have been down this path before or just understand the DAC technology as it pertains to a 'Windows-based music server - to - McIntosh MX121 pre-amplifier' via a wired Ethernet network connection. I am sure there are lots of choices for this missing component. Lately, I am reading quite a bit in an attempt to understand the applicability of topics such as DLNA and rendering. I currently employ JRiver Media Center, which I am evaluating but will purchase, to manage my ‘flac’ audio library. Incidentally, I have several years of experience with JRiver Media Jukebox. All of the heavy lifting (ripping) required for my 'flac' music library, which resides on a 4TB drive, has been completed. Again, the challenge before me is to determine how to send the digital output from the music server to my audio system through a wired (CAT5) home network. It is imperative that the DAC solution employ JRiver Media Center. This is an inventory list of my audio / video system. McIntosh Amplifier, MC452 McIntosh Pre-Amplifier, MX121 McIntosh DAC, MediaBridge MB100 (this does not work with JRiver!) which will be returned Sonus faber speakers, Olympica II JD Sub-woofer, 112 Oppo Blu-Ray Disc Player, BDP-105D ClearAudio Turntable, Concept w/MM cartridge Vizio Display, M702i-B3 Also, I will employ a 15” Windows touchscreen notebook to run JRiver MC from the theatre room once a network DAC is installed successfully. I look forward to the day when I no longer am forced to listen to my music library through the local music server computer speakers. Any guidance, recommendations or helpful opinions that will aid in solving my dilemma will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Lawrence