Storage is cheap now, so I've been thinking about a media server. I would use it strictly for audio. I'm not sure what my best option is. I've got a nice desktop that is on a network, and an old computer not in use that would need a sound card if I decided to put it in my theater room. What is the best method for getting my music to my theater room?

How much music (CD's, mp3's, LP's etc) do you currently have?

Laters,
Jeff

Probably 300 cd's. I won't be interested in any lossy formats like MP3's.

Do you want to have to turn the tv on to select songs and playlists or do you want it all done via a remote?

Laters,
Jeff

what is the best format that does not degrade quality?

what is the best format that does not degrade quality?

Any lossless format. Wave, FLAC, WMA, ALAC, APE, etc....

some of the older formats like wave dont support tagging....

FLAC and ALAC seem to be the most popular and widely supported lossless formats.

in terms of SQ they are all indentical and provide a bit perfect representation of the original file.

getting a good original file is another topic. The best choices there are EAC (free) and even better dbPowerAmp (not free).

Sean

Do you want to have to turn the tv on to select songs and playlists or do you want it all done via a remote?

Laters,
Jeff
I haven't given it much thought. It would be cool if I could control it with my ipod touch. I've tried appleTv but the wireless part of it crashed my network. I also have an Xbox 360, but it wont network with my computer (XP Pro).

what is the best format that does not degrade quality?
I haven't tested this myself, but I've heard that flac is a good format. My friend says he can't tell the difference on his Paradigm Sigs. I don't have any personal experience with this though. He says .wav files are good too.

I use FLAC myself and I cannot tell the difference between that and an original CD. The reason I ask about the remotes is simple. If you don't mind having a TV or monitor on then you could use a HTPC (or just plain PC) or any number of streamers. If you want a simple plug and play with a remote that can run the entire system then you should look at a Squeezebox or Sonos product.

EDIT:

I am able to stream to my Xbox360 using XP Pro. What is your setup? The only downside to the 360 is that it will not play FLAC. You would have to rip all your files to MP3 (which you said you don't want to do) or WAV.

Laters,
Jeff

I haven't given it much thought. It would be cool if I could control it with my ipod touch. I've tried appleTv but the wireless part of it crashed my network. I also have an Xbox 360, but it wont network with my computer (XP Pro).


I haven't tested this myself, but I've heard that flac is a good format. My friend says he can't tell the difference on his Paradigm Sigs. I don't have any personal experience with this though. He says .wav files are good too.

If you want strictly audio and a handheld remote, then the Logitech Duet or Sonos is your best bet. The Sonos is more plug and play, is slightly more geared towards multi-room whole house audio, and has it's own wireless network that is specifically geared to streaming audio; the Logitech uses your existing wireless, is a little less easy to setup and maintain, and is less expensive to purchase. Both are able to be controlled via the iPhone/iPod Touch as well as their own controller. The Sonos iPhone app is made by Sonos itself (and is free), the Logitech one is a third party app.

http://www.sonos.com/default.aspx

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/wireless_music_systems/&cl=us,en


Also see the many threads here on each of these systems. Note that the older a post is, the more the chance of information being out of date. Both systems have had a multitude of software updates since their original release, and Sonos has updated 2 out of 4 hardware components in the last year.

If you want strictly audio and a handheld remote, then the Logitech Duet or Sonos is your best bet. The Sonos is more plug and play, is slightly more geared towards multi-room whole house audio, and has it's own wireless network that is specifically geared to streaming audio; the Logitech uses your existing wireless, is a little less easy to setup and maintain, and is less expensive to purchase. Both are able to be controlled via the iPhone/iPod Touch as well as their own controller. The Sonos iPhone app is made by Sonos itself (and is free), the Logitech one is a third party app.

http://www.sonos.com/default.aspx

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/wireless_music_systems/&cl=us,en


Also see the many threads here on each of these systems. Note that the older a post is, the more the chance of information being out of date. Both systems have had a multitude of software updates since their original release, and Sonos has updated 2 out of 4 hardware components in the last year.

Itunes with some airport expresses and an iTouch as a remote is another good alternative. I like it better than my SB3 and Duet combo but its not a Sonos but the price is right....

Sean

Itunes with some airport expresses and an iTouch as a remote is another good alternative. I like it better than my SB3 and Duet combo but its not a Sonos but the price is right....

Sean

If the OP is just looking to stream to one location (or one stream to multiple locations), it's certainly the best value. If he's looking to distribute to more zones or doesn't want to run an iTunes computer/server at all times, then it starts showing it's downside. But for iTunes fans who want one location streaming, it'd be hard to recommend anything else.

yep but the SC needs a server side daemon as well so only the sonos really eliminates the need for the PC. I've tried running SC on my NAS and its super slow... as you know even the Sonos requires a server daemon above a certain library size....

it was a decent solution at best until the itouch/iphone app. Now its sweet....

you can even run the aiports in WDS mode and create a sonos like mesh which has improved reliability in one of my installs....

but then again its still not a sonos....

Sean