New to Computer Audio - Blu-ray Forum

bhampton · 02-26-2013, 03:37 PM

Hi,

Seems strange to think I'm new to the concept of computer audio but it's certainly true. Current styles and techniques of computer audio are like nothing I'm familiar with so I'm indeed new and loving every minute of it.

I could use tips though and info... it's a strange new world for me.

A cousin gave me a mac mini that didn't work but I managed to repair it. I had to take it completely apart twice before it would post but it's fine now.

To that I added an USB external hard drive filled with all my CDs stored as Apple Lossless files.

Yesterday, I bought and installed the BitPerfect App.

I already had Roomie Remote for my Home Theater but it works great for the music server too.

Today I bought a small used SSD hard drive on Ebay to replace the data drive in the mac mini with. This hopefully, will be faster, more reliable, use less energy, and run cooler. And eliminate those big magnets and moving parts and so on.

Future upgrades could involve hardware and software. Something like a outboard DAC perhaps. Or more system RAM.

The system works great as it is though and I'm so happy with it!!!!

=Brian

prerich · 02-26-2013, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhampton

Hi,

Seems strange to think I'm new to the concept of computer audio but it's certainly true. Current styles and techniques of computer audio are like nothing I'm familiar with so I'm indeed new and loving every minute of it.

I could use tips though and info... it's a strange new world for me.

A cousin gave me a mac mini that didn't work but I managed to repair it. I had to take it completely apart twice before it would post but it's fine now.

To that I added an USB external hard drive filled with all my CDs stored as Apple Lossless files.

Yesterday, I bought and installed the BitPerfect App.

I already had Roomie Remote for my Home Theater but it works great for the music server too.

Today I bought a small used SSD hard drive on Ebay to replace the data drive in the mac mini with. This hopefully, will be faster, more reliable, use less energy, and run cooler. And eliminate those big magnets and moving parts and so on.

Future upgrades could involve hardware and software. Something like a outboard DAC perhaps. Or more system RAM.

The system works great as it is though and I'm so happy with it!!!!

=Brian

Mac mini.....Get Channel D Pure Music or Amarre for music playback!!!! You'll love it!

bhampton · 02-26-2013, 06:08 PM

I will try the pure music 15 day demo soon.

It's cheap but I don't have the $130 right now anyway.

If it's awesome, I can certainly save for it.

My SSD drive should be here over the weekend so I'll get that done first and try to max out the RAM soon. (8GB max.)

-THanks,

Brian

pentatonic · 02-26-2013, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhampton

I will try the pure music 15 day demo soon.

It's cheap but I don't have the $130 right now anyway.

If it's awesome, I can certainly save for it.

My SSD drive should be here over the weekend so I'll get that done first and try to max out the RAM soon. (8GB max.)

-THanks,

Brian

For music purposes, you don't need tons of ram. How much do you have now? If enough (even 2 GB is plenty as music doesn't need to be processed) I would spend my $ in your audio chain.

What's your setup like?

bhampton · 02-26-2013, 11:52 PM

Hi,

As fas as what the system is like... it's humble.

The AVR is a Denon 1912 and the speakers are Paradigm Titans, CC-170, (I forget what the model of the 10 inch SubW that goes with those is.)

The room is a dedicated HT... I built the room but I don't have acoustical treatments yet. There is a double wall on one side (near utilities that make noise) and some sound board in the wall construction.

I swapped memory with a laptop to give the mac mini 4GB instead of 2 and like suggested ... it's likely not even needed. I certainly won't go for 8 (which is max) unless I get some cheap or something.

The main reason I want the SSD hard drive is not for performance but it will use less energy and make less heat and should be more reliable too.

It sounds great so far. I'm really enjoying it. I suppose it can only get better too if I upgrade in time.

-Brian

pentatonic · 02-27-2013, 02:01 AM

How is your Mac connected to the receiver? Optical I guess. You would get the biggest audio improvement by getting an outboard dac or usb soundcard, so if interested you might post in the separates forum, many users here have outboard DACs and could steer you in the right direction. Depending on how many sources you have (CD, etc.) I'm sure that for a few Franklins you can get something nice.

02-26-2013, 03:37 PM	#1
bhampton Blu-ray Baron Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:633 Blu-ray collection:2152 DVD collection:39 Blu-ray reviews: 5 Trading Score:18	New to Computer Audio Hi, Seems strange to think I'm new to the concept of computer audio but it's certainly true. Current styles and techniques of computer audio are like nothing I'm familiar with so I'm indeed new and loving every minute of it. I could use tips though and info... it's a strange new world for me. A cousin gave me a mac mini that didn't work but I managed to repair it. I had to take it completely apart twice before it would post but it's fine now. To that I added an USB external hard drive filled with all my CDs stored as Apple Lossless files. Yesterday, I bought and installed the BitPerfect App. I already had Roomie Remote for my Home Theater but it works great for the music server too. Today I bought a small used SSD hard drive on Ebay to replace the data drive in the mac mini with. This hopefully, will be faster, more reliable, use less energy, and run cooler. And eliminate those big magnets and moving parts and so on. Future upgrades could involve hardware and software. Something like a outboard DAC perhaps. Or more system RAM. The system works great as it is though and I'm so happy with it!!!! =Brian

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-26-2013, 06:08 PM	#3
bhampton Blu-ray Baron Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:633 Blu-ray collection:2152 DVD collection:39 Blu-ray reviews: 5 Trading Score:18	I will try the pure music 15 day demo soon. It's cheap but I don't have the $130 right now anyway. If it's awesome, I can certainly save for it. My SSD drive should be here over the weekend so I'll get that done first and try to max out the RAM soon. (8GB max.) -THanks, Brian

02-26-2013, 11:52 PM	#5
bhampton Blu-ray Baron Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:633 Blu-ray collection:2152 DVD collection:39 Blu-ray reviews: 5 Trading Score:18	Hi, As fas as what the system is like... it's humble. The AVR is a Denon 1912 and the speakers are Paradigm Titans, CC-170, (I forget what the model of the 10 inch SubW that goes with those is.) The room is a dedicated HT... I built the room but I don't have acoustical treatments yet. There is a double wall on one side (near utilities that make noise) and some sound board in the wall construction. I swapped memory with a laptop to give the mac mini 4GB instead of 2 and like suggested ... it's likely not even needed. I certainly won't go for 8 (which is max) unless I get some cheap or something. The main reason I want the SSD hard drive is not for performance but it will use less energy and make less heat and should be more reliable too. It sounds great so far. I'm really enjoying it. I suppose it can only get better too if I upgrade in time. -Brian

02-27-2013, 02:01 AM	#6
pentatonic Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Montreal, Canada Blu-ray collection:570 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:158	How is your Mac connected to the receiver? Optical I guess. You would get the biggest audio improvement by getting an outboard dac or usb soundcard, so if interested you might post in the separates forum, many users here have outboard DACs and could steer you in the right direction. Depending on how many sources you have (CD, etc.) I'm sure that for a few Franklins you can get something nice.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals