What Set-up for Flacs?

[Saket]

Hello Pals,

I have been mostly an analogue music guy, hence prefer my music on Vinyls. But would off-late like to try FLACs too. My intention is not to beat Vinyl vs Digital at all, just want a decent set up for listening to FLAC/ lossless music.

Since, you can consider me a noob in this area, please let me know what devices I would need for the purpose. I have a Pioneer Amp & nice speakers to go with them.

Thanks,
Saket

 

[GeorgeO]

Saket

All you need to have a hard disk containing the audio connected via USB to a media player that plays flac. The media player will have outputs that you connect as an input into your amp. If you have any more questions,just ask!

 

[Saket]

Saket

All you need

That is the first convenience of digital format which greets me to this world esp. coming from analogue where you rarely use the words 'All you need'!

Thanks George. BTW, which media players can I have under 10K which are decent enough. What other features the media players have?

 

[GeorgeO]

There are many of them, I'm sure others can guide you. I use a Sq Box for audio only and a Popcorn Hour for video, but these are not available here in India. The form factor and various other features vary according to player. For example the SB comes with a built in display, unlike most others that need your to use the TV as a display. Similarly my Popcorn Hour houses an internal 2TB HDD, which is not possible in most other media players. I also have a low cost WD TV which I use as back up, but many others use and like. I dislike the remote on the WD as wll as some of the other features, but it is a low cost, entry level player. As you delve deeper you will understand this subject a bit better.

 

[madbullram]

And also remember, most media players (baring SB) have pathetic DACs inside them. So dont expect vinyl level output from them. If you need that level, you need to invest in a good DAC.

If you look at my signature, you can the pairing of media players like HiMedia and WD TV along with DACs for music. Also, I went with WD because I can control the music from my android phone. WDTV has a android remote app which helps me do this. This eliminates the need for a display like TV as I can change tracks etc using my android phone.

So, if you dont want to buy DACs, SB like George said is an excellent player. But getting one is difficult as its not made anymore. Other alternative is to go with a cheap media player that can play FLACs and getting a good DAC.

 

[Saket]

Can I get one of these (http://www.hifivision.com/media-str...-dolbythd-decoding-dts-hd-ma-just-3500-a.html) and connect the output to my existing integrated amp? Can I use them with my projector too for watching movies without connecting my laptop?

 

[GeorgeO]

Yes, that should be a good option I think, though I havent used one myself.

 

[Staxxx]

May I make a small suggestion that if you are just embarking on building a digital library of music files that you use WAV. I find it slightly better in SQ than FLAC (which may undergo some compression usually). Of course it will take a little more space and believe me as your music collection grows the price of storing all those files adds up.
Rather than open the FLAC versus WAV debate do read the several threads on this forum and others, on this topic.

 

[asliarun]

I don't know enough about the ASUS OPlay as I have never used it but if you are looking for some interesting options, you can also get something like the Minix Neo X7. It is a full blown Android based computer with almost all the ports you would get on a PC. However, it is completely fanless and really small (about 3-4 CD cases stacked on top of each other). It also has optical out so you can feed the output to a DAC. I have the X5 which is almost exactly the same except it has lesser RAM and a slightly less powerful CPU.

It comes with Android pre-installed and is pretty much plug and play. The big advantage is that this will be an open system, meaning you can install apps (such as the audio player of your choice) from the Google app store, and you won't be restricted by the custom vendor apps if you go for custom media players.

It has a plethora of USB ports so you can add as much storage as you want, although it comes inbuilt with 16GB storage. I think the X7 comes with a remote (unlike the X5) but you can also use many other options to control the device. I use the Logitech K400 keyboard which is fairly compact and also has an integrated touch screen using which I control my device. It was also plug and play with the device.

Besides acting as an audio server, you could also hook it up to your TV via HDMI and use this as a media player. It does a pretty good job of playing full HD content, and again, there are a ton of Android apps that will let you play whatever you want.

The only caveat to all this is that I have myself not yet fully setup the audio server bit as I had to move houses and have been traveling a lot. You can still read the reviews online of many others who are using it. I've watched quite a few videos on the X5 though and overall, no complaints. I also use a Roku that also has a USB input and an audio app, and although no one can touch the Roku user interface and overall experience, it is a closed system, and also imposes other limitations (and mainly, it only plays MP3 and AAC, it does not support FLAC and WAV).

 

[ukjeyaraj]

That is the first convenience of digital format which greets me to this world esp. coming from analogue where you rarely use the words 'All you need'!

Thanks George. BTW, which media players can I have under 10K which are decent enough. What other features the media players have?

I use Logitech SBT, and can vouch for it. But they have been already stopped. You can look for them in ebay or create a wanted thread in our forum.

Another option is to get a decent media player with optical output and use a DAC. But a display (monitor/TV) is requred to scan and browse the media content.

If interested in only music, pick a media player like cowon(comes with display) and hook it to the amplifier. You may also use it as portable player.

Building a music PC is another option

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Are you playing your FLAC or other-format music files from a PC?

If so, then the first question is... how close it to your hifi. If it can be reached with a cable, you can go analogue-out from a good sound card to your amp, or you can go digital (eg USB or S/PDIF) to a DAC or interface

The point is that you don't need wireless if you can do it with ...wire

 

[Saket]

And also remember, most media players (baring SB) have pathetic DACs inside them. So dont expect vinyl level output from them. If you need that level, you need to invest in a good DAC.

Yes, that should be a good option I think, though I havent used one myself.

I am exploring the option of going the media player route as I don't want to invest too much and DACs will be expensive I guess (?)

May I make a small suggestion that if you are just embarking on building a digital library of music files that you use WAV. I find it slightly better in SQ than FLAC (which may undergo some compression usually).

But as the source is itself in FLAC, won't the WAV files be just a different format with no major gains? Also, on another note, how do I get FLAC files? I don't want some MP3 converted to FLACS, just for the format.

I don't know enough about the ASUS OPlay as I have never used it but if you are looking for some interesting options, you can also get something like the Minix Neo X7.

Thanks asliarun. I am looking into the link.

I use Logitech SBT, and can vouch for it. But they have been already stopped. You can look for them in ebay or create a wanted thread in our forum.

Another option is to get a decent media player with optical output and use a DAC. But a display (monitor/TV) is requred to scan and browse the media content.

If interested in only music, pick a media player like cowon(comes with display) and hook it to the amplifier. You may also use it as portable player.

Building a music PC is another option

Building a PC...ummm..I think I will not prefer keeping a PC on just for listening to music. Also, if the media player supports video output at least at 720P, then I can use it with my home projector for watching movies and my laptop would be freed from the duty. Hence, I think what I need is a media player which plays FLAC/ WAV...don't bash me but some MP3, and can play videos too. An HDMi output and a line/ earphones out is necessary so that I can connect directly to my PJ through HDMi and the older amp through phones/ line out.
One question, do these players have internal battery for some standby time?

Are you playing your FLAC or other-format music files from a PC?

If so, then the first question is... how close it to your hifi. If it can be reached with a cable, you can go analogue-out from a good sound card to your amp, or you can go digital (eg USB or S/PDIF) to a DAC or interface

The point is that you don't need wireless if you can do it with ...wire

Not planning a wireless set up. Today is my third day 'face-to-face' with FLACs (would you believe it?), hence don't have any dedicated set-up, but my future set up would be in proximity to the amp and can be reached by a wire.
I am currently listening to them through my earphones plugged to my laptop.

Thanks all,

Regards,
Saket

 

[arj]

I suppose this is for secondary listening and your primary listening will remain the TT ?
Jus get any good streamer with a built in HDD)..Western digital also has a good one. and connect it to your Amp
i wuold not suggest getting another dac etc..unless you want a really serious setup.
Actually for theprice an Iphone 16GB (older one used would be even better) would also be really good..and its portable as well. jut take the headphone out and split it into the Amp pre amp in . you of course will need to convert Flacs to either Apple lossless or Wav and any free converter can do that.(320 mp3 is also not bad and depending on the system people struggle to find the difference..but keep the flac/lossless version as your backup)

BTW the dac used by apple is far superior to those in almost all these media devices

 

[Saket]

I suppose this is for secondary listening and your primary listening will remain the TT ?

Hey Arj,

My primary system will be the TT only. Just want this for casual/ alternate listening or the tracks that I don't have on vinyl. I have written before, I am looking for a system which can play videos too and connect to my projector for movies.

Regards,
Saket

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

DACs are not necessarily very expensive. There are some very cheap ones available (the cheapest will be the one already on your PC motherboard!) and some very good ones at reasonable cost. The ODAC is [in]famous: mine cost around UK100. Not much for what is actually a pretty good source!

Whilst you may not feel that digital playback will rival your analogue setup, I feel that, even if budget-constrained, you will simply be unhappy if you do not go for the best you can within the budget --- and I think you might even be pleasantly surprised

If there is even the vaguest chance that you might want to digitise any of your vinyl, eg for second-system or portable listening or archiving, you could go for something like an ESI Juli@ card (PCI or PCIe). Tape-out from your amplifier to the cards analogue in, and you can record on your PC from any other source the amplifier is playing. Of course, vinyl digitising is a whole trip in itself, especially old imperfect vinyl, but it is an option to explore, or, at least, one to have. A DAC is a one-way street.

 

[Saket]

DACs are not necessarily very expensive. There are some very cheap ones available (the cheapest will be the one already on your PC motherboard!) and some very good ones at reasonable cost. The ODAC is [in]famous: mine cost around UK100. Not much for what is actually a pretty good source!

Whilst you may not feel that digital playback will rival your analogue setup, I feel that, even if budget-constrained, you will simply be unhappy if you do not go for the best you can within the budget --- and I think you might even be pleasantly surprised

If there is even the vaguest chance that you might want to digitise any of your vinyl, eg for second-system or portable listening or archiving, you could go for something like an ESI Juli@ card (PCI or PCIe). Tape-out from your amplifier to the cards analogue in, and you can record on your PC from any other source the amplifier is playing. Of course, vinyl digitising is a whole trip in itself, especially old imperfect vinyl, but it is an option to explore, or, at least, one to have. A DAC is a one-way street.

Hey Nick,

Please help me with the following:

1. A media player will have an in-built DAC right? (Like a TT & an Inbuilt Phono?)

2. But inbuilt DACs are generally not that good; (just like the inbuilt phono?)

3. For good output, I need a Media player + a separate DAC; (again like bypassing the inbuilt phono stage in TTs?)

As of now, don't have any plans for digitising old vinyls.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Saket, the closest I have come to a "media player" is my SqueezeBox Duet --- but the music is actually played from a PC. I've never really investigated media players; I'm not even 100% sure what, technically, they are . My meagre understanding is that they are NAS (Network-attached storage) to which, on top of the usual file-serving protocols (or instead of?) media management and streaming software has been added. Not sure if they necessarily include a DAC? If so, then the ability of analogue out has been added too. Would the DAC be any better than a PC motherboard builtin? Good question!

The only box I know a little about is the SqueezeBox Touch, but my knowledge is second-hand, and we have several actual SBT owners here. As I understand it, the SBT is a "media centre," because as well as the internet streaming that underlies the SqueezeBox range, it can also have directly-attached storage (USB Disk). The Squeezebox DACs, whilst they may not be in the same league as some of the boxes discussed on this forum, are good. Surprisingly good. And the Touch is said to be a step up from my Duet.

Hmmm... That's a very long-winded way of saying, sorry, I can't be of much help on this one

 

[Saket]

SqueezeBox Duet --- NAS (Network-attached storage) ---- file-serving protocols ------media management and streaming software -----media centre, because as well as the internet streaming that underlies the SqueezeBox range, it can also have directly-attached storage (USB Disk)------ And the Touch is said to be a step up from my Duet.

Phew...that was technical...OHT: Over Head Transmission. Not even a Tangent!

Hmmm... That's a long-winded way of saying, sorry, I can't be of much help on this one

I don't know too many on the forums who are more witty than you!

Regards,
Saket

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Phew...that was technical.

Expecting some education on this from other members

Thank you for your kind comment

 

[ukjeyaraj]

If you dont mind switching on a separate display every time for listening to music, HDD media player is best option. Look for one with optical out, so that you can add DAC in the future. If you dont mind the price take a look at this logitech SBT

http://www.hifivision.com/sale-owner/44862-squeezebox-touch-19000-almost-unused.html