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merlin2069er

merlin2069er

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Joined 2008
#1
I'm trying to figure out what to do with my PC music server.

So far, I've got flac media on an external usb drive... windows 7 laptop - just installed media monkey with asio4all and asio plugin for media monkey.

I've got a trends ud-10 (usb transport) and an diy ezdac.

I've been able to re-sample my output to 48,000hz max. (I'm not sure what the limiting factor is here.) Maybe it's the usb transport?

I'd be interested in any suggestions.
 
#4
I'm using J River Media player, with windows 7 64 bits (that really doesn't matter)
A few years back I bought a Creative x-fi 5.1 card for my laptop, which now I use to extract the audio via toslink. That goes into the Dacmagic then into the Marantz 1060.

With J River you can upsample if you like, I'm running WASAPI as I don't have proper Asio Drivers. I just found now that wasapi gives me bit perfect transfer. I have an old Cambridge Audio ISomagic s700 and I couldn't tell before getting the DM (I had no way to see the Sample rate received by the dac)

Perhaps you should think about getting a second hand x-fi 5.1 usb (the first model will do) just to get hi res audio via toslink. As I think you'll be very limited via USB.
 
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#5
Oh, I got home for lunch and hooked up my usb Trends ud-10 transport to my Adcom GCD750 cd player and used the digital in.

It worked perfectly, asio4all outputting 48,000hz. It sounded good.

I've read were people are all so concerned with all the extra apps and services running in the background. I guess I can eventually do that when I upgrade this laptop (and use it for audio only) (it's a dual core duo running @ ~2ghz)

I'd also be interested in testing ubuntu 10.11 (not sure if my usb transport will be picked up in linux)
 
#6
ozzyscl said:
I'm using J River Media player, with windows 7 64 bits (that really doesn't matter)
A few years back I bought a Creative x-fi 5.1 card for my laptop, which now I use to extract the audio via toslink. That goes into the Dacmagic then into the Marantz 1060.

With J River you can upsample if you like, I'm running WASAPI as I don't have proper Asio Drivers. I just found now that wasapi gives me bit perfect transfer. I have an old Cambridge Audio ISomagic s700 and I couldn't tell before getting the DM (I had no way to see the Sample rate received by the dac)

Perhaps you should think about getting a second hand x-fi 5.1 usb (the first model will do) just to get hi res audio via toslink. As I think you'll be very limited via USB.
Click to expand...

I don't think my laptop has an optical output (toslink). Do you know what the max sampling frequency of the Creative x-fi 5.1?
 
#7
merlin2069er said:
I don't think my laptop has an optical output (toslink). Do you know what the max sampling frequency of the Creative x-fi 5.1?
Click to expand...

Optical outputs are difficult to find in pc's or laptops. What I meant is to connect the x-fi via usb, then from it you can connect via toslink to a dac.

I only use the x-fi as a way to extract the audio from the computer, it just passes through directly to the dac.

The sample rate is up to 24 bit/96khz for both playback and recording.

That should be enough for playing hi res files (most of mine are 24/96khz)
 
#9
the creative also has rca outs, here is a picture of the model I own

backb.jpg
 
#12
merlin2069er said:
Oh, I got home for lunch and hooked up my usb Trends ud-10 transport to my Adcom GCD750 cd player and used the digital in.

It worked perfectly, asio4all outputting 48,000hz. It sounded good.

I've read were people are all so concerned with all the extra apps and services running in the background. I guess I can eventually do that when I upgrade this laptop (and use it for audio only) (it's a dual core duo running @ ~2ghz)

I'd also be interested in testing ubuntu 10.11 (not sure if my usb transport will be picked up in linux)
Click to expand...

Been there before and I documented my setup here http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pc-based/193331-my-poor-man-music-server.html

I dont think that you should upgrade your laptop, its more than enough to serve as music server.
 
#13
Thanks!

I've just upgraded my version of Exact Audio Copy and FLAC. It's about time I rip my CD collection into FLAC files.

Just curious as to what bit rate to use. The default is 128k, high quality, but I'm thinking 320k - high quality is do able.

I'll have to experiment with a few rips.
 
#14
Thanks!

I've just upgraded my version of Exact Audio Copy and FLAC. It's about time I rip my CD collection into FLAC files.

Just curious as to what bit rate to use. The default is 128k, high quality, but I'm thinking 320k - high quality is do able.

I'll have to experiment with a few rips.
 
#15
merlin2069er said:
Thanks!

I've just upgraded my version of Exact Audio Copy and FLAC. It's about time I rip my CD collection into FLAC files.

Just curious as to what bit rate to use. The default is 128k, high quality, but I'm thinking 320k - high quality is do able.

I'll have to experiment with a few rips.
Click to expand...

If you're going to rip your cd's and use FLAC, then you'll need at lead 640kbps

128kps is usually used for standard mp3 and 320 for "high res mp3's" FLAC is a lossless format. That gives you the ability to save your files without using too much memory. As a test I just ripped Shine on you crazy diamond, as a wav file at 1440kbps and it was 173mb, using flac at 640kbps it is 82mb.

As I said I suggest at least 640, with time you'll find files at 640, 800, over 1000, and more. IS there really a change in quality with those high rates??? only your ears will be able to tell.


Follow these steps and you'll be fine.
EAC and FLAC - Hydrogenaudio Knowledgebase


Remember to download FLAC first from this link
FLAC - download
 
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