Some tips for Music PC

[foo]

1.fine tune the system:
enable the least services.
install the least programs.
2.Lower the power consumption:
use high performance low voltage CPU.
use lower voltage DRAM.
Use integrated GPU.
3.use the lowest latency DRAM timing.

4.Mitigate vibration:
Fanless PSU or external PSU
no fan in the case
take HDD outside the case
5.choose a good case:
consider vibration and shielding
6.get a RAMdrive and put your file inside to playback.

7.Use professional software to playback. (fine tune the software is required)
Sonar
Samplitude
etc

8.Software upsampling is a good idea.
playback after converted.
don't use realtime plug-in
professional standalone software yield good result.

[Ola]

Use cheap separate video card with passive cooling, that has it's own RAM. The whole thing works much faster if motherboard RAM is not share with video system.

[Jaac]

I don't see any audio cards as a tip so here is one tip:

Asus Xonar Essence STX

For playback software i like XBMC it is very complete and comes with library functions. You can also use your Iphone/Ipod to control it.

[foo]

Asus sound cards doesn't support ASIO which is important for low latency playback.
Asus needs to put more efforts into firmware and driver.

[wwenze]

One tip for HDD: put it inside the case, suspend it somehow or put it on foam, minimizes vibration and the system chassis will block airborne noise. Or, get an NAS.
More info regarding PC silencing can be found at silentpcreview.com

Get a good sound card that can do good SPDIF out, connect to a DAC like with a CDP.

[Tea-Bag]

This is a good thread to have some generalizations.
I've been put off a lot by a digital music systems, because there doesn't appear to be a lot of constiency around user interfaces and ease of use.

I would like to know more about controlling with an Ipod. Does this replace a monitor? Finding a small monitor with touch screen has been one of my goals for ease of use.

Tea

[Jaac]

Originally Posted by Tea-Bag

This is a good thread to have some generalizations.
I've been put off a lot by a digital music systems, because there doesn't appear to be a lot of constiency around user interfaces and ease of use.

I would like to know more about controlling with an Ipod. Does this replace a monitor? Finding a small monitor with touch screen has been one of my goals for ease of use.

Tea

Yes an Ipod or Iphone can replace your monitor. There are different programs that u can use. Like Plugplayer or Songbook. They al work with Upnp. To play your music u only need a Upnp server, e.a. NAS with upnp software or PC with Upnp server software, and a so called Upnp render device like a Linn DS device or a PC with render software installed (XBMC).
With plug player and Songbook or XBMC remote for the Iphone/Ipod you can see all your music that is installed on the Upnp server.

Here some Links:

Songbook

Plugplayer

XMBC remote

And some Pictures:

Songbook




PlugPlayer:





XBMC:

[stinems]

Did a wikipedia check on ASIO. Ah Wikipedia, maker of charlatans.

Depending on your OS, ASIO isn't necessarily needed anymore. If you're pushing Vista, and presumably it will be this way in Seven, it sounds like they"ve gotten rid of the old KMixer protocol that caused audio latency. Their new WaveRT driver protocol is allegedly much better in the latency department.

Sam

[kipman725]

I would like to add for playback latancy isn't important it just leads to a greater lag between pressing play and hearing music. The percived advantages of ASIO, kernal streaming etc. is that in windows using defualt kmixer there are many layers all of which can be altering volume and resampling often at low quality for a speed boost, each modification reducing the signal to noise ratio (like a jpg repeatedly modified slightly and saved). Using ASIO et. all bypasses many of these layers hopefully leading to better SNR at the output of the soundcard!

Not very aplicable to linux as it's posible to specify a high quality resampler for ALSA if software mixing is needed or if it isn't I think it's posible to comunicate more direclty with the hardware (although I haven't tried this).

[foo]

Maybe some people didn't experienced this:
the lower the latency the better the sound quality.
(improved resolution dynamic and soundstage)

Kernel streaming is stated to work as ASIO to avoid kernel mixer.
However, the sound differs a lot.
KS sounds worm and fat but not as transparent as ASIO.
Direct sound + fat midband = KS.