topher_m

Thanks for those who responded - I am a little disappointed that I have not had more opinion/experience voiced. It seems like a fundamental question to the computer audiophile. Or perhaps I am missing that a high quality async USB interface nullifies significant computer differences. BTW - I am not going with a dedicated server because I think I future proof myself better with a "regular" dedicated computer. I certainly avoid the questionable service offered by the small companies that struggle to have enough employees to be truly responsive - not intended to be a slam but just a reality to the 2,3,4 person operations out there.

Hi Haven't really seen any comparisons or recommendations lately and things move so fast, don't know what latest wisdom is. I am going with a good async converter - probably the Bel Canto reflink - so I am not sure if the computer matters at all. Laptop on batteries probably has the least power induced noise but may be more limited - integrated graphics, more likely to have to use an external drive which means 2 usb devices, etc. Thoughts?

Hi Decision time this week! Down to these 2 options into a DEQX HPD3. Touchsmart+Offramp -larger touchscreen for JRiver -probably a better interface -but a lot of computer dedicated only to audio system -probably slightly noisier and possibly more RFI than BDP-1 but isolated offramp may neutralize that -larger physically and probably harder to wire from stereo to listening position -can run DEQX software directly, no moving in an additional computer (big plus in short term but once system is dialed in, it doesn't matter much) BDP-1+Tablet -more mobile -dedicated hardware, purpose built -good reputation of reliability -may can cross use the tablet for other stuff I doubt there is a huge difference in SQ between these two. I probably conceptually give the nod to the offramp but who really knows. What are your thoughts?

It is going into a DEQX HDP3 with both spdif and aes/xlr inputs. Thanks, Chris

Hi, Sooooo sick of thinking and not buying - gotta do it but need your simple help. Nothing lengthy - just a vote for which of these 3. I can live with USB or Firewire. I think all of these are quality units so I am sure differences aren't going to be huge. Staying PC/JRiver based - just not ready to go Apple. Help me part with the money! Thanks, Chris yes, yes.......I know this is just another example of analysis paralysis but I am really serious about doing it and I need someone to shove me over the edge.

Hi Gordon, You allude to the wavelength being available very soon but are taking pre-orders? Is it that close? You don't sell direct, so we go to your dealer network, even if they are not located in my state? Thanks, Chris

Hi I am trying MP3TAG now - maybe that is the key. The rest of my network performance seems fine - granted saving large files across it is slow but nothing like JMRC tag saving. The ripping with auto id of track titles is also weak with JMRC - almost nothing is recognized, unlike EAC which gets nearly everything but I can't get it to run on Windows7 (worked fine on XP but I don't have 7PRO with the XP simulator). I have moved ripping to DBPOWERAMP which seems to work well so far. No major issues with the UI - better than EAC. But now I have to rip in one software, possibly save tags in another and play in a third. Kind of a bummer. But the JMRC player interface is so good as well as the output flexibility, sound quality, etc. I will let you know if MP3TAG solves anything thanks

Hi What other flac players are out there that are as capable as JRiver? I really like JRiver - I have had it for a few years and gone through a couple of upgrades. I would keep forever if it wasn't for one major problem - the "saving tags" is outrageously slow over a wireless network. Sometimes it will take a couple hours to update 20-30 tags/files. Yes - I have asked on the JR forum. Basically the answer is that it isn't a problem with JRMC but my network. Maybe but everything else works fine over the network - no major delays on anything else. Getting very frustrated with it. I have to come back hours later sometimes just to shut the computer down simply waiting for tags. I love the interface and the output flexibility. What else is there? Must be something (other than ITunes)

Hi Original poster asked the same thing but I don't think I saw a response. Can you fill us in on the availability of the new interface? Thanks

Hi Sonos - are you going to start supporting 24/96? got your system now but won't expand unless you do Weiss - when exactly will the INT202 be available? Wavelength - where is the Wavelink? There are obviously others to list but I am getting anxious - impatient audiophile type. I would think it would be advantageous for mfgs to give some more info before people go out make other plans for their Christmas presents to themselves.

Hi What do you think of these PCs? - focused on audio with optimized BIOS (not tech enough to know if that means anything but sounds good!) - TI firewire controllers (hear there are all sorts of compatability issues with other chipsets) - quiet operation - Solstice model doesn't seem that expensive - they clearly have a good audio pedigree being peddled by a reputable pro audio retailer's They are AMD based, not Intel but I can't imagine that making a big difference. Seems to be a contender with endpcnoise for an dedicated audio with focus Thanks

Does anyone have a highly recommended firewire output "card" for laptop or desktop. I may stay desktop for now simply because I already have one and I did take the time to run a 50 foot monitor and network cable to locate the desktop away from listening chair - it isn't the silent type. I know Weiss recommends a TI firewire chipset and not a NEC (as do other proaudio companies - apparently the incompatabilities are chipset specific). But it is hard to find chipset info on specific cards in the specs. BTW, is firewire error-checked like Ethernet? Thanks DIDN'T THINK THIS QUESTION WOULD BE SO CONTROVERSIAL! THANKS FOR EVERYONE'S INPUT I AGREE ON THE POINT THAT OPINION IS A BIT MORE INSIGHTFUL WHEN BACKED UP BY TECHNICAL INFO AND NOT VAGUE - I AM ENGINEER SO I LIKE DATA, FACTS, ETC BUT ADMIT I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE SUBJECT

Hi Let's say you got a firewire interface like the AFI1 to feed a DEQX DAC. You want to feed the AFI1 FLAC files from a ReadyNas. Wouldn't a wireless laptop feeding the AFI1 be just as good as a desktop? - wireless networked data is packetized and error checked - most wireless networks should have more than enough capacity for simple audio A stripped down laptop would be a lot easy for me to locate. I currently run wireless to a laptop just to listen to tunes on JRiver but I don't feed a dac. No problems on drop-outs. Any thoughts? ReadyNas NV - vista laptop - weiss AFI1 - DEQX HDP3 - BAT VK55/PARASOUND JC1/CROWN K2s - Tri-amped Line Array

Hi Read some of the very disturbing comments about the ability to blow tweeters with Windows based system. I am building a set of line arrays that have $5000 worth of tweeters in them. Granted they are repairable but who wants to do that. So, let me ask some questions to make sure I got this right. Perhaps I am grabbing onto just one person's thoughts so I would appreciate a concensus (if one is possible between a group of audiophiles). - the suspected cause if loss of the clock - the white noise is probably DC output - a properly designed dac would mute at loss of clock sync and prevent DC output but I don't really know if a dac actually has this feature - loss of sync typically happens when trying to do other things at the same time as listening to music but some people experienced this doing "nothing" - this doesn't happen with Mac based systems - maybe they manage resources better So, if I have this right so far, I have some more questions; - is this problem also related to the playback software? - is there capacitor or fuse protection that can be implemented to protect tweeters? I will be using an in-line cap already to protect tweeters from freq less than ~800Hz - does the output method matter - USB vs firewire vs AES I currently have an XP based system with AES16 running JRiver but I cannot afford to finish these speakers and blow the tweeters. I will be running out of the computer to the DEQX HDP processor. Sorry for the ramble. Thanks, Chris

I know the cases only fit specific mother board sizes but is the rest of the crap that goes into a computer - hard drive, power supply, disc drives, etc, etc - all fairly universal that they could fit into most cases? Is thinking that you are going to fit an existing computer into a Zalman case like threading a needle or a pretty good chance? Sorry I wasn't more specific