2. digital
  3. 126122-80682

Digital media server/players for a Skeptic?

I have all my music on a windows pc running itunes.  I mainly use airplay to listen on my apple TV connected to my receiver.  I then often use an ipad to change tunes and such.  My receiver also has airplay and sometimes I use that but can't really tell any difference between it and itunes. 

I do hate itunes though.  Slow, crashes a lot, hard to really manage a lot of files (~35,000 songs).  My music is mostly coded using whatever the highest rates of MP3 are. VBR 320 or something.  And I've given up on the various tools that try to fill in missing tags.

My current system is Ascend Sierra 2 mains, orb sides, Marantz 5009 receiver, Rega TT, nad preamp, nad cd player.  I will probably upgrade the marantz next year.  Don't even ask me about my interconnects.  I am not a belieber in the audio hoodoo. I use good cheap wire and cables.

So how much sound quality difference and usability/convenience do some of these music servers, decoders, whatever the heck they are really offer over using apple TV? 

Thx!



wolfernyc

Showing 5 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,611 posts
 
Personally I find most of them overpriced when you can build your own 2TB Linux based music server for about $600 and get iPhone/Android app support..

If you are using the digital outs of your airplay I do think you'd benefit from a Wyred4Sound Remedy reclocker, as would Google Cast.

I rip everything to FLAC, but download some DSD as well, and use USB 2.0 to play to my DAC.

I'm not sure if it works with iTunes, but PS Audio's LAN rover is also a good solution, but again, $600 seems so pricey to me.
erik_squires
15,611 posts
 
I use Logitech Media Server, it's taken a life of it's own after Lotitech shut the division down. It has a very active open source development, that has added things like DSD and Chrome cast support, among others.  Take a look at my setup page, which was written for a Mytek Brooklyn, but would work for any USB 2.0 driverless DAC:

http://inatinear.blogspot.com/2016/08/ubuntu-mytek-brooklyn-dsd-setup-guide.html


erik_squires
15,611 posts
 
So while I do use Linux to play my music, and movies, and Hulu, etc. in my living room, I often rip with MediaMonkey because it's just more convenient.  It has better / easier autotagging than I have found on Linux so far.

If I'm ripping 1 CD at a time, I'll go ahead and have MM write straight to the Linux server.  This is accomplished by sharing the Music directory out to my PC.

However since my PC is using Wifi, for ripping large quantities of files I use a thumb drive. I just got a 60 CD classical music set, and ripped 20 CD's at a time to a thumb drive.  Walked the drive over, dragged and dropped, then had LMS re-scan.  Easy.

Best,


Erik
erik_squires
15,611 posts
 
MM does a very nice job with iPods. :)

It also lets' you select what music to synch and which not to.  I try to avoid synching classical to my car iPod for instance. :)

Best,

Erik
erik_squires
15,611 posts
 
I built my own music server out of a mini PC with Xubuntu and Logitech Media Server. It’s great for Internet radio and my ripped music. For Tidal I like to use my Oppo 103 though, it has a nicer interface.

Total cost for a 2TB server was around $650 with optical output.

Your next receiver probably have optical and/or USB inputs, but if not, make sure you build your PC with optical digital outputs.

LMS has iPhone and Android apps as well as a browser interface.

I’d start with that first for convenience and value.

But for sound quality.... I think you should go listen. If dealers near you can’t excite you about a different approach, like an all tube system for instance, or really good speakers, you are done.  Another thing for you to listen to are really good headphones and headphone amps. Compact, not fussy at all and very high value.
More to discover