Thank you one and all! It looks like a used Bluesound Vault is in my future. At least I already have a good quality outboard DAC for it.
Happy Holidays and all the best in the New Year!
Howie G
It's time to do it! Please, your help....
Hi there, hope all is well.
I've put it off as long as I could!
I now want/need to add computer audio to my system. Please note, if you haven't guessed already,I am in no way a "computer guy"
My thought is to build a high resolution library from HD tracks or whomever you have had a good experience with.
Streaming is not something I'm interested in at the moment.
I have a Mac Desktop with Sierra 10.12.6 ( the highest upgrade this unit can handle) a MHDT Labs- Steeplechase 2 USB DAC ,a good quality USB cable and I just bought a dedicated 4TB G-DRIVE USB G1 USB 3.0 Hard Drive for storage to get started.
What type of "player" would you recommenced and other advice to get started.
Thank you all in advance and Happy Holidays!
Howie G - NYC
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- 13 posts total
Another option to consider is https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/. They specialize in computer based music servers and players that come preconfigured.
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Hello Howie G in NYC! If you haven't bought the Bluesound Vault yet, there are certainly cheaper ways to go. I have been using PCs (desktops & laptops) for years for recording and playing sound recordings. I have used many DACs and never had a problem with odd noises or bad sound. The software you use to play the music is important. I use WavePad and Media Monkey. Both have free versions. Either is much better than Microsoft's sound players. Keep the software's player at full volume and use a DAC with a volume control. The USB cable is CRITICAL and there are HUGE differences between them. Contact me for more on my discovery of this sad fact. My best results are with Wireworld's best and Furutech's best. Some well advertised products make the music shriek! Unbelievable! The old style USB cables that worked fine on our printers will NOT do audio. Get a great cable first. It's much cheaper. Happy Listening! |
I would certainly go with @boomerbillone post and say that USB cables have shot up in quality lately. My recommendation would be the CAD 11 cable. It is very expensive but has lifted my playback quality to levels I have not heard from streaming before. Yes the old style USB printer wires just will not do anymore. |
Thank you all for the help. There seems to be 2 camps out there. One saying the PC route is dreadful and get a server and the others who say a computer with a good DAC is fine. Since I have all the pieces for the PC ( Mac) route I'm going to give that a try first. If the sound is comparable to that of my SACD player then that will hold me for now.
Thank you ALL for your helpful insights!
All the best in '22
Howie G |
- 13 posts total