Taking the plunge on PC audio - advice please chaps!

[gazjam]

Hi all, THINK this is my first post on 'ere?

Getting posts deleted on another forum with no explaination (something to do with a "B" word I think..(grrr) so I thought I'd try asking a sensible question here instead.

I've built an HTPC for the GF and I'm blown away by the conveniance of fast access to music. So I want to get a similar setup for myself.

Currently I'm using a Topfield PVR with about 500ish albums worth of 320kbs MP3 files playing through Stan's Mk6/3 Dac and it sounds just wonderful - easily as good as my Cambridge 640C.

So I'm sold on the idea of this. but which way to go about it though?

*1 Have a PC in the living room connected by USB to something like the Trends Audio UD10 USB/CoAx converter into DAC into amp?

*2 Or Squeezebox / Beresford / NAS or PC in another room.


*I suppose if I can get a quiet enough pc in the living room I could have internet and media centre use etc - which would be great, but is there any sound disadvantage to this way compared to the Wireless route?


Bit of a noob with this stuff, still finding out whats what.

Thanks.:^
G.

[eddie spaghetti]

Welcome to the forum gazjam. I'm sure one of our more computer literate members will be along soon to lend you a hand :wave:


edit: whoops just realised you've been a member for ages. :oops:

[thrunobulaxx]

gazjam wrote:
Hi all, THINK this is my first post on 'ere?

Getting posts deleted on another forum with no explaination (something to do with a "B" word I think..(grrr) so I thought I'd try asking a sensible question here instead.

I've built an HTPC for the GF and I'm blown away by the conveniance of fast access to music. So I want to get a similar setup for myself.

Currently I'm using a Topfield PVR with about 500ish albums worth of 320kbs MP3 files playing through Stan's Mk6/3 Dac and it sounds just wonderful - easily as good as my Cambridge 640C.

So I'm sold on the idea of this. but which way to go about it though?

*1 Have a PC in the living room connected by USB to something like the Trends Audio UD10 USB/CoAx converter into DAC into amp?

*2 Or Squeezebox / Beresford / NAS or PC in another room.


*I suppose if I can get a quiet enough pc in the living room I could have internet and media centre use etc - which would be great, but is there any sound disadvantage to this way compared to the Wireless route?


Bit of a noob with this stuff, still finding out whats what.

Thanks.:^
G.






Hi Gary, was wondering when you might utter something here :D

The "B" word on that other place :rotfl:

Dont know the answer to your question as i dont do wreless/squeezebox stuff, in fact just got rid of a wireless connection as it caused me to head butt a Belkin router to death:rolleyes:

My PC is close to my kit so i just connect dac to pre via usb/optical convertor and away i go.

Nice to see you here. :^

[j7]

hi gazjam

and welcome to the forum m8

im sure some of the digital guys can advise...and stans always poping in so stay tuned

best wishes for now
j7

[Gordonian]

gazjam wrote:

Currently I'm using a Topfield PVR with about 500ish albums worth of 320kbs MP3 files playing through Stan's Mk6/3 Dac and it sounds just wonderful - easily as good as my Cambridge 640C.

So I'm sold on the idea of this. but which way to go about it though?

*1 Have a PC in the living room connected by USB to something like the Trends Audio UD10 USB/CoAx converter into DAC into amp?

*2 Or Squeezebox / Beresford / NAS or PC in another room.


*I suppose if I can get a quiet enough pc in the living room I could have internet and media centre use etc - which would be great, but is there any sound disadvantage to this way compared to the Wireless route?

As the years have went by I tend to take a very simplistic approach to PC and Audio. Playing audio over wireless should be fine, vua cat 5 no issues at all. If you have walls 2 foot thick then wireless will have its ups and downs at times, but the as you are thinking of audio and not much else then I relaly think it would be ok.
The quality of audio is subjective when you stream it, and bottom line if perfection is required then you need hard wired and high quality rips.
For me, I have a pc with a range of MP3 that I listen to with m,y headphones, but, I can also listen to anything on my laptop via wireless whenever I want to. The best way IN MY OPINION would be get a decent PC with whatever audio card you want in t, get it onto your LCD/PLASMA large TV, have a multi media kit there for audio, internet and images/movies and I think you will find everyone will be impressed with that sort of setup.