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Re: getting started in computer-based audio

Posted by Cycles2 (A) on April 13, 2007 at 05:07:52

In Reply to: getting started in computer-based audio posted by Abbey Road on April 12, 2007 at 12:49:55:

I'm just a couple weeks ahead of you with computer audio and thanks to many folks on this forum decided to purchase a Mac mini. Although for work purposes I use Windows, there are so many advantages to using a Mac mini such as price, convenience and the fact that you don't have to bother with drivers, upsampling and all the other crap that comes with a Windows environment.

Many on this forum have helped me by letting me know that for optimum audio quality all you need is to use iTunes, rip songs in Apple Lossless mode with error correction selected. I also noticed that an Apple Lossless file is half the size of an EAC (Exact Audio Copy) file. My understanding is that Apple compresses at the file level, not the recording itself.

This is another advantage to using a Mac as you'll soon learn that non-compressed ripping can take close to 1 GB per CD. I use a Western Digital My Book external 500GB drive that I picked up from Costco for $169. There are so many to choose from, try to select a drive that offers both USB 2.0 and Firewire connections and that monitors the computer for shutdown and sleep modes.

Another added value of using a Mac is you get Apple's Front Row application and infrared remote control bundled with the Mac mini. This is a terrific way to view your playlists from across the room (via small 15" LCD monitor), not to mention it adds a remote volume control to your system. For many of us whose systems don't offer remotes this is an added bonus.

You may want to also look into remote software packages such as Salling Clicker (www.salling.com) that allow PDAs & some cell phones to connect via bluetooth or WiFi to let you select songs from your playlists, control volume and even use a mouse control from across the room. Future versions will allow ripping songs via the interface, pretty cool stuff. I've been told to use the bluetooth as it uses less battery power from your PDA/phone.

Then there's the USB DAC issue. Which one to choose is probably the biggest decision you'll make as the other stuff above is at the commodity level. I just ordered my USB DAC so I can't comment on specifics. There are a number of people on this forum that have a ton of experience in this area and they've convinced me to select from the Wavelength Audio family of USB DACs.

I've been told by many whose opinion I trust that done correctly, computer audio will outpace any CD transport coupled with the highest priced DACs known to man. Coupled with the convenience of having access to my +400 CDs from my sofa made me a convert.

Hope this helps.
Brian ...

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