DIGITAL HIGH-RES AUDIO SYSTEM -HELP PLEASE


I need your expert advice on building a 24 bit/96Khz, 24/192Khz max, computer based home audio system I'd like to integrate into my home audio/ht system. I'm not totally clueless on what I need but I could definitely use some advice and direction as well as helpful tips. I have a fairly good audio system I currently use for ht and music playback. So, I'm not starting from scratch but want to incorporate computer audio and WAV and FLAC file streaming and storage into my system. Video streaming and storage can wait for a future time.

My current system consists of the following:
Plasma HDTV
Full 5.1 surround setup (5 spkrs and 1 subwoofer with in-ceiling surrounds).
Three separate stereo amps that power the main l/r, subwoofer/ center and l/r surrounds.
Directv satellite source (box has HDMI and digital audio output)
Older DVD/CD player as source used for movies and music.
Surround sound processor (older unit with just coax and optical audio inputs/outputs, no HDMI or USB inputs/outputs).
Separate tube preamp with HT Passthru. I'd run computer analog outputs to this for 2-channel listening.

For computer audio I already have some components:

Newer Laptop with 4 USB2.0 ports, dual core processor, 2 GB RAM and 110 GB internal hard-drive that can be solely devoted to a computer audio system(only 35 GB free on HD, however).
Wireless high-speed LAN with smart HDTV already attached and streaming Netflix, Hulu, Pandora and Amazon Prime to the tv and laptop.
JRiver v19.0 media player installed but no downloads yet and only a handful of cds ripped.
Cambridge Audio DacMagic 24 bit/192khz DAC.

My current budget is only about $1,500 and was thinking my next steps should be to:
A. Buy a new or used Oppo BDP-103 or, preferably a BDP-105 to replace my DacMagic and Sony DVD,CD player and get at least into 21st century technology.
B. Buy a NAS next to connect via USB to my laptop when more funds become available.

So, please let me know the following:

1. Am I thinking correctly and on the right path with buying an Oppo followed by a NAS?
2. Is there a method to connect my laptop, and future NAS wirelessly to the Oppo? I'm currently running a 12ft USB cable from my laptop to my DAC. I know cabled is better than wireless but curious how much better.
3. Any suggestions for a good, affordable NAS?
4. Does the Oppo BDP-105 have internal surround sound decoding capability that would allow me to run analog cables to my 3 HT amps directly from its analog outputs and substitute for my Parasound processor?

Thanks in advance for any advice and guidance.
Tim



128x128noble100
Tim - the hierachichal folder structure used by iTunes is...
Artist - album - tracks

Not sure if you need anything else.

On the downside - I have a few tracks that feature other artists - which results in multiple folders for a single artist..

E.g.
Emile Sande
Emile Sande feat. Naughty Boy

Info like Genre and Composer is held in metadata and is accessed by iTunes for generating playlists in those categories

Regards
Hi Steve/Willie,

This whole folder and file structure protocol is somewhat confusing to me. I've read that it's important to have a good folder and file structure setup to avoid problems down the road when downloading. I wasn't planning on using iTunes at all. I thought I would download from higher resolution sites like Sound Liaison, iTrax, Bluecoast Records and HDTracks. Is this a good plan or am I missing something?

I was planning on downloading files to folders based on resolution and thought the files would be listed automatically by Artist, Album and Tracks within each folder. I'm so new at this I'm fairly sure I need to know more before moving ahead. So, I'll follow your more experienced suggestions until I gain more knowledge. Are you saying I should change my folders?

Really appreciate your continued assistance,
Tim
Tim - it's your preference - only you can define a structure that suits your needs.

I merely pointed out apple's structure as an example. It happens to work for me

To get to other structures of organizing - like sample size, composer and genre you may have to rely on software.

Take a look at the jriver method. I assume they have one.

Regards
Willie,

I'm continuing to learn about JRMC by using it and through various forums.
The good news is that my computer audio system is now complete. I now have JRiver as the DMC (Digital Media Controller)via my laptop that is used to select tracks on my Synology NAS (I believe this is considered the DMS- Digital Media Server)for playback. These files are successfully being sent or 'pushed' to the Oppo 105 (I believe the Oppo is considered the DMR- Digital Media Renderer and the DMP-Digital Media Player. The Synology ( attached to my home network via Ethernet cable) is currently sending these files to the Oppo wirelessly. All music files are backed up via a Seagate 2 TB Backup Plus.

The sound quality is very good right now; obviously hi-rez with no dropouts. I also came in just $44 over my $1,600 budget at $1,644: Oppo 105 at $1,219, Synology DS-112j diskless NAS at $152, 2 TB Seagate Barracuda HD at $99, Seagate 2 TB Backup Plus at $94 and $80 thank you gratuity to my friend Jerry for setup help=$1,644. The process wasn't painless but I'm very pleased with my investment so far.

Just for those wondering if a software controller is necessary, the Oppo is also capable of 'pulling' files from the NAS hd and playing them back via its 'Network menu'. However, the Oppo's GUI (Graphic User Interface) is very rudimentary and is nowhere near the quality of JRMC's GUI. Whether 'pushed' or 'pulled', the sound quality is very good and sounds identical to me.
I also just made my first download purchase recently from Sound Liaison in The Netherlands. I paid 20 Euros ($27)for a Carmen Gomes album called "Thousand Shades of Blue". It's recorded at 24/96 live at a small studio in front of a small audience. I bought the 24/96 WAV file and it definitely sounds better than CD quality to me. It's basically a cover of a Bruce Springsteen album with just vocals by Gomes, guitar, double bass and drums/percussion in a jazz format. I really enjoy it and it's well miked and recorded, portraying an 'in the room' quality. There are 12 tracks, including: Fever, Dock of the Bay, I'm on Fire and Angel Eyes. Thanks to Bill_k for the Sound Liaison suggestion.

Setup wise, I have the Oppo's 7.1 analog rca outputs connected directly to my surround amps in my 5.1 system. I've also connected the Oppo's 'dedicated stereo' xlr outputs directly to my main amp's xlr l+r inputs. This setup sounds very good for both 2-ch music and HT surround and has eliminated the need for both my Parasound AV2500 prepro surround unit and my tubed VTL 2.5 preamp for music playback.

So, if you're looking to simplify your system and still retain very good sq, the 105 is an ideal solution. I only have 1 very ridiculous issue only possible in a first world country: I loved the combo of the Mullard tubed VTL and my class D amp for CD music playback on my former system. I'm wondering if passing the Oppo's 'dedicated stereo' outputs through my VTL's 'CD' inputs would even sound better than the existing setup.

Oh, poor me and my troubles.I think the only way I'll know for certain is by trying this setup and choosing the one I like best. I'll try this and report back on the results after a thorough comparison. I realize I'll be comparing the sound of more than just my system with and without the VTL. I'll also be comparing my system connected via xlr cables vs rca cables and with and without an additional preamp stage. Regardless, I'm just going to pick the one that sounds best, making sure volume levels are as close to equal as possible during comparisons.

I really have no questions right now, just wanted to give an update on my audio journey. But please feel free to give suggestions and comments.

Thanks again to all that assisted in my successful computer audio implementation,
Tim

Tim, glad that everything is working out so well for you. Now you can enjoy the tunes! I have to warn you though that downloading new high resolution music can be an expensive addiction.