PC playback as an alternative to CD Players

[bhagwan]

@Shanti:
As mentioned above, flac does not deteriorate the quality of the sound. So where does sound quality enter the picture when choosing between wav and flac? And though I agree that HDDs are becoming cheaper by the day, when one can save space, why not? When hi-res music becomes more mainstream (24/196K) the space savings will be magnified. Something to think about too.

I use flac only for metadata.

 

[awedeophile]

Not looking at Ayre.. will post shortly once I confirm.

 

[humblebee]

Hi all,

Thanks for this interesting info. Im setting up a new PC for music only inspired by this talk...
Im stuck at 2 places though...
1) I need some kind of display to browse music stored on my PC and play it (also create playlists) which should also act like a remote - Shanti said he is using i-remote..which is?? ipod touch? Do I have any other options that are remote controls? Can i also use iphone? Im assuming that song will be actually played by Foobar player on PC not playing by ipod & wireless streaming to PC.
2) I will be using sound card. I have selected Asus Essense ST. Any other options? Will this fit into a small factor PC like ITX or even a mini-ATX?

Thanks

 

[prem]

Hi Aweodophile


In case you have not finalised your dac as yet, look at Empirical Audio. I have heard it once. Very nice sound. But that was long back. Their new stuff is even better. Sound is up your alley, organic.

 

[awedeophile]

Hi Aweodophile


In case you have not finalised your dac as yet, look at Empirical Audio. I have heard it once. Very nice sound. But that was long back. Their new stuff is even better. Sound is up your alley, organic.

Heard the Empirical in my setup. Was not better than the Cary 306 pro I was using.

 

[spirovious]

I am using following PC remote,works gr8 with Music & Mov-
eBay India: PC Wireless Remote Control For Windows Media XP Vista (item 160501306773 end time 09-Nov-2010 14:15:10 IST)
http://www.hifivision.com/audio-video-accessories/7209-pc-remote-review-2.html

 

[bhagwan]

I am using following PC remote,works gr8 with Music & Mov-
eBay India: PC Wireless Remote Control For Windows Media XP Vista (item 160501306773 end time 09-Nov-2010 14:15:10 IST)
http://www.hifivision.com/audio-video-accessories/7209-pc-remote-review-2.html

Excellent & cheap solution;
However, what about the screen ?

My Computer has no mouse / no keyboard / no screen.

All works through a remote desktop - laptop & also through an itouch [currently not interfacing] :sad:

 

[bhagwan]

Hi all,

Thanks for this interesting info. Im setting up a new PC for music only inspired by this talk...
Im stuck at 2 places though...
1) I need some kind of display to browse music stored on my PC and play it (also create playlists) which should also act like a remote - Shanti said he is using i-remote..which is?? ipod touch? Do I have any other options that are remote controls? Can i also use iphone? Im assuming that song will be actually played by Foobar player on PC not playing by ipod & wireless streaming to PC.
2) I will be using sound card. I have selected Asus Essense ST. Any other options? Will this fit into a small factor PC like ITX or even a mini-ATX?

Thanks

Yes;

I-Phone works.

I-Pad works.

I-Touch works.

 

[spirovious]

This remote comes with inbuilt wireless mouce & mini keybrd.Screen is the only problem where you can use either LCD OR small monitor.

 

[stereorules]

Hi all,

Thanks for this interesting info. Im setting up a new PC for music only inspired by this talk...
Im stuck at 2 places though...
1) I need some kind of display to browse music stored on my PC and play it (also create playlists) which should also act like a remote - Shanti said he is using i-remote..which is?? ipod touch? Do I have any other options that are remote controls? Can i also use iphone? Im assuming that song will be actually played by Foobar player on PC not playing by ipod & wireless streaming to PC.
2) I will be using sound card. I have selected Asus Essense ST. Any other options? Will this fit into a small factor PC like ITX or even a mini-ATX?
Thanks

I'm also looking for such a setup ..Have you finalised the cabinet ?? I wud'nt want a normal tower in my hall ...I would rather want a flat cabinet ..
And the remote that is selling on ebay seems to be pretty cheap and convenient solution .
Am in the process of building the group buy DIY MyRef amp ..
And as suggested by a fellow member from Hyd, am planning to use my PC as an active Xover with DIY speakers which will be my next project..

 

[bhagwan]

2) I will be using sound card. I have selected Asus Essense ST. Any other options? Will this fit into a small factor PC like ITX or even a mini-ATX?

Sound Card ?
I am not so sure if that is such a great idea,,,,
But more important, what DAC will you use ?

ASUS Xonar Card

Would this be a card to consider ? If a card it to be used ?

RME / Lynx are the 'preferred' options in my books...

 

[NetFreak]

Sound Card ?
I am not so sure if that is such a great idea,,,,
But more important, what DAC will you use ?

If he has an AVR / Amplifier with digital inputs (preferably HDMI), then DAC would not be required since DAC in AVR would be used.

What could be the issues with using a sound card in that case?

 

[arj]

Hi all,

Thanks for this interesting info. Im setting up a new PC for music only inspired by this talk...

there is a fantastic offere available here...far better than any PC youcould build for a very decent price
http://www.hifi-forum.de/index.php?action=browseT&forum_id=120&thread=403&postID=2#2

 

[stereorules]

Sound Card ?
I am not so sure if that is such a great idea,,,,
But more important, what DAC will you use ?

ASUS Xonar Card

Would this be a card to consider ? If a card it to be used ?

RME / Lynx are the 'preferred' options in my books...

The Asus Essence is a Xonar . It has been reviewed by many people and is considered to be very good for stereo playback from PC.

 

[spirovious]

I'm also looking for such a setup ..Have you finalised the cabinet ?? I wud'nt want a normal tower in my hall ...I would rather want a flat cabinet ..
..

Cheap,small cabinate ideal for small place-
Antec ISK 300-65 Mini-ITX Desktop

MB-
http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=49

 

[bhagwan]

Antec Micro Fusion Remote 350 Mini-ITX

I would recommend this case;

I use an older version of this model...
Very silent cools rather well..

 

[awedeophile]

IME, soundcards dont sound as good as an external converter due to the high RF/EMI in the PC cabinet. Also the PC power supply is not very clean.

I have had better results using an external converter like the M2Tech Hiface and now the EVO over the Lynx and ESI Juli@ cards.

Locate the PC as far from your other equipment as possible in your setup. Mine sits about 4 feet away.

 

[pdhanwada]

I am planning on buying M2tech Hiface the regular one not the EVO one to create a PC playback system. Have any of you had a chance to audition it.

Is there anything else you can suggest in the comparable price range.

Thanks
Pandu

 

[reignofchaos]

<shameless plug>
If you are interested, I have a brand M2Tech Hiface for sale.
</shameless plug>

Other than that your choices are EMU and RME. Neither are available in India officially. There are other async USB adaptors but none in that price range.

 

[awedeophile]

I used the original Hiface for a few months and really liked it. Preferred it to the Lynx and ESI sound cards for sure and would highly recommened it for someone getting into PC playback. It worked well and handled files upto 24/192 flawlessly.

The EVO is quite a good step up from the hiface but is also more than double the price.