The only constant in computer audio is change. Let me qualify that statement so as not to create discomfort among hesitant consumers. The only constant in computer audio, for early adopters and those seeking better solutions, is change. It's entirely possible to purchase a Mac, PC, or canned music server today and use it for the next five to ten years. But just because it's possible doesn't mean it's probable. As new servers, operating systems, and playback applications are released with better features and functionality consumer interest in changing solutions increases. Unfortunately switching servers isn't as simple as copying files or moving an external hard drive from one server to another. There are major incompatibilities between music server solutions. Some solutions like Olive Media servers don't allow users to export their music collections in a format usable by anything other than another Olive Media server. Other solutions like JRiver on a PC or the Aurender S10 Linux server support open standards such as FLAC that enable easy transitions to different platforms. The most problematic server switches involve Apple's iTunes, the most popular playback application in the world, and OS X operating system. 
It has been nearly two years to the day since I wrote about JRiver Media Center [Link
]. At the time JRiver was on version 14 and Windows 7 was somewhat new to audiophiles. Now JRiver has progressed to version 17 and most computer audiophiles have moved from previous versions of Windows to Windows 7. Much of the meat in that first article still holds true today. Using Exclusive Mode and WASAPI output remain great methods of outputting bit perfect audio from one's computer. Nevertheless it's time for an updated article that computer audiophiles can use as an unbiased reference for JRiver configuration and information.
Ripping the audio from CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs has never been easier and there's never been a better time than now to start ripping. Pink Floyd recently released The Dark Side Of The Moon Immersion Box set containing six physical discs including three Redbook CDs, two DVDs, and one Blu-ray disc. The ease of ripping audio from plastic discs and the plethora of new content available from Pink Floyd have given me great reason to create a thoroughly updated DVD and Blu-ray disc ripping guide using the new Dark Side Of The Moon Immersion Box Set. Pink Floyd fans and enthusiasts of music stored on plastic discs rejoice, one's favorite two channel and multi-channel music can now be liberated.
I'm really not one to draw attention to myself. I know that sounds a bit odd as I publish another link to an interview I've just completed. Please keep in mind I didn't start CA to direct attention to myself. CA is all about the readers, contributors, community, new friends, and the next phase in high end audio reproduction. The more opportunities I have to get the word out about what's going on here at CA and in computer audio playback the better it is for everyone interested in high end computer audio. The following interview was conducted by Dagogo's Laurence Borden. It touches on some beginner topics, CD ripping, file formats, and more advanced subjects like asynchronous and adaptive USB. Here's a link to the compete interview over at Dagogo.
My recent interview on Leo Laporte's TWiT network about computer audiophilia has been posted on the Ultimate AV Mag site. The video is just short of one hour and covers many topics discussed here on CA including, "the basics of high-resolution computer-audio files, including file formats and compression, adaptive and asynchronous USB DACs, ripping physical discs, online sources for high-res music files, the Simple Design Sonore Linux-based music-server appliance, cloud-based systems, using a preamp/processor with high-res music servers, local-area network streaming, answers to chat-room questions, and more." Here's a link the complete video of the show from June 27, 2011.
As the title says here's a how-to video with commentary explaining the process of converting high resolution FLAC files into AIFF files and adding them to iTunes. This is necessary because Apple's iTunes does not play FLAC files without third party applications. Some computer audiophiles can handle this activity in their sleep while others may not even download high resolution audio for fear of a FLAC attack. Only kidding no such thing exists, but the process is foreign to many Computer Audiophile readers. After watching this video all readers should be able to handle this conversion and library addition without any issues.
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