put the PC in a nice case or hide it right behind your preamp! Then use VNC, windows remote, etc to remote control the screen like you were there off of a tablet pc which will make it like a big touch screen remote you can use anywhere in the house, oh yea you can surf the web as well or pull up information if you are in the kitchen. I am going this root.
High End User Interface for PC Audio
In the future, I am sure high end manufactuers will give us the same tweaky, visual and tactile happiness that we enjoy with exotic digital and analogue source devices.
In the meantime, however, one of the things that really disappoints me about PC audio is the cheesey, plasticky feel of surfing through iTunes on a computer, with my Tympanis, ARC and Mark Levinson eyeing me suspiciously from the background.
Indeed, there are times when I almost feel guilty, as if I were pouring cheap wine into a beautiful glass.
So I am wondering: using technology available TODAY, what would you use to upgrade the look and the feel of a hard drive based system, using UNCOMPRESSED files, delivered to the DAC of your choice?
A metal keyboard? laser mouse?
A sexy, HD capable monitor sitting on a coffee table to surf through your digital library?
Wireless technology to increase the - wow this is cool -factor for PC based audio?
Apple Mac G5? (Not a good answer IMO.)
Airport type wireless device? Or USB based device?
Thank you for your ideas.
In the meantime, however, one of the things that really disappoints me about PC audio is the cheesey, plasticky feel of surfing through iTunes on a computer, with my Tympanis, ARC and Mark Levinson eyeing me suspiciously from the background.
Indeed, there are times when I almost feel guilty, as if I were pouring cheap wine into a beautiful glass.
So I am wondering: using technology available TODAY, what would you use to upgrade the look and the feel of a hard drive based system, using UNCOMPRESSED files, delivered to the DAC of your choice?
A metal keyboard? laser mouse?
A sexy, HD capable monitor sitting on a coffee table to surf through your digital library?
Wireless technology to increase the - wow this is cool -factor for PC based audio?
Apple Mac G5? (Not a good answer IMO.)
Airport type wireless device? Or USB based device?
Thank you for your ideas.
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- 36 posts total
If you want to pursue software upsampling and other DSPs, go with a USB to SPDIF converter or a DAC with built-in USB input. Otherwise, you can save yourself a lot of trouble to go with Squeezebox or Soundbridge (avoid M1001) and use their digital output to the DAC of your choice. See http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1205/slimdevices_squeezebox.htm |
My sleek 17 in. MAC G4 Powerbook looks pretty nice sitting on top of my stereo rack. It took a little getting used to but it has been well worth it. I too favor the "wired" connections (Wavterminal to DAC) over the wireless optical options. I cannot honestly see replacing this set-up with a CD player. Even handling CD's has become passe' for me. |
- 36 posts total