My turn to play moderator 
I though this discussion appropriate for a dedicated thread, in hopes that it continues to grow as more and more options become available. Most of all keep it friendly and helpfull.
Thanks.
A little background, and some fuel for further discussion:
I recently decided to set up a music server for my home. While I originaly thought I would go with a Mac-mini + HD(s) and run through iTunes ( I still may evolve that way) I decided that I would get a Modwright Transporter and wirelessly stream music files from my home computer (iMac). Well, after the initial set-up, I quickly decided that I would get an external Hard Drive and (re)rip my 1500(ish) and growing CD collection[very close on that guess Tim, I haven't actually counted in quite some time, but 1500 is pretty close (±100)]. I had previously ripped everything into iTunes for use with the iPod that my wife gave me a couple of years ago. That gift fueled the somewhat dormant fire that burned within my soul that is a very deep love of music. It directly led to me now upgrading my entire home system, basically starting from scratch. This thread represents just one head of the Hydra that comprises a modern Audio-Video system. (Man, a turntable, integrated amp and a pair of speakers were all I used to want/need!!!).
Now, I have moved to a ethernet wired connection on the Transporter because my wireless router sucks (drops connections constantly). That router will eventually be replaced by an Airport Extreme Base Station (perhaps) but the connection will remain wired.
The Transporter is great. It does everything I want it to, and more. Plus the ModWright modification to it not only looks cool as hell, it sounds amazing!
I am still in the process of ripping everything to FLAC (using MAX) and am pleased with the result. Other than being incredibly time consuming, their meta-data base is no where near as expansive as the one for iTunes (Gracenote), so I have to manually enter some of it. More often than not I can simply copy and past the missing meta-data in from iTunes (There is a Apple script that will do this for you, but I have no clue how that stuff works). Along with the album art. Thankfully I was obsessive about having correct info/art when I did the iTunes rips, so this whole process is much easier this time around.
I am not satisfied with the SqueezeCenter/SqueezeNetwork interface software though, it is somewhat lacking (IMO) in features, such as tracking what you have played (playcount), and smart-playlists... (both are features that I have come to really love in iTunes. When used together I can set up a smart-playlist to play random songs that I have not listened to in over 6 months, with no repeats. I can't do this with the SqueezeCenter software) Also, I wish that it were a stand alone application and not run through a web browser. And a visualizer would be a welcome addition. In truth, though SqueezeCenter is bare-bones and does its job, just no bells and whistles.
This is turned into a much more long winded intro than I intended so lets just let the sucker loose and see where it goes...
I though this discussion appropriate for a dedicated thread, in hopes that it continues to grow as more and more options become available. Most of all keep it friendly and helpfull.Thanks.
A little background, and some fuel for further discussion:
I recently decided to set up a music server for my home. While I originaly thought I would go with a Mac-mini + HD(s) and run through iTunes ( I still may evolve that way) I decided that I would get a Modwright Transporter and wirelessly stream music files from my home computer (iMac). Well, after the initial set-up, I quickly decided that I would get an external Hard Drive and (re)rip my 1500(ish) and growing CD collection[very close on that guess Tim, I haven't actually counted in quite some time, but 1500 is pretty close (±100)]. I had previously ripped everything into iTunes for use with the iPod that my wife gave me a couple of years ago. That gift fueled the somewhat dormant fire that burned within my soul that is a very deep love of music. It directly led to me now upgrading my entire home system, basically starting from scratch. This thread represents just one head of the Hydra that comprises a modern Audio-Video system. (Man, a turntable, integrated amp and a pair of speakers were all I used to want/need!!!).
Now, I have moved to a ethernet wired connection on the Transporter because my wireless router sucks (drops connections constantly). That router will eventually be replaced by an Airport Extreme Base Station (perhaps) but the connection will remain wired.
The Transporter is great. It does everything I want it to, and more. Plus the ModWright modification to it not only looks cool as hell, it sounds amazing!
I am still in the process of ripping everything to FLAC (using MAX) and am pleased with the result. Other than being incredibly time consuming, their meta-data base is no where near as expansive as the one for iTunes (Gracenote), so I have to manually enter some of it. More often than not I can simply copy and past the missing meta-data in from iTunes (There is a Apple script that will do this for you, but I have no clue how that stuff works). Along with the album art. Thankfully I was obsessive about having correct info/art when I did the iTunes rips, so this whole process is much easier this time around.
I am not satisfied with the SqueezeCenter/SqueezeNetwork interface software though, it is somewhat lacking (IMO) in features, such as tracking what you have played (playcount), and smart-playlists... (both are features that I have come to really love in iTunes. When used together I can set up a smart-playlist to play random songs that I have not listened to in over 6 months, with no repeats. I can't do this with the SqueezeCenter software) Also, I wish that it were a stand alone application and not run through a web browser. And a visualizer would be a welcome addition. In truth, though SqueezeCenter is bare-bones and does its job, just no bells and whistles.
This is turned into a much more long winded intro than I intended so lets just let the sucker loose and see where it goes...
Quote:
Originally Posted by funkmonkey 
Michael- I finally made it through the last of the A-Z organized CDs... and am just starting the "various artist" collections... then my wife's music... been ripping for over a month (maybe two)... 500-ish gigs worth now ripped to FLAC, 1TB is going to work out just fine for me (for now) with a little room for the new stuff. At least now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I may even be done by the time my HT3's arrive.
I am sure you are aware, but there is a new mod for the TP power supply that Dan will be offering soon. If you haven't already asked him about it, you may want to. He has posted a little bit of info about it over @ AC. ...just thought I would mention it, in case you didn't know already.
Cheers,
Greg
Michael- I finally made it through the last of the A-Z organized CDs... and am just starting the "various artist" collections... then my wife's music... been ripping for over a month (maybe two)... 500-ish gigs worth now ripped to FLAC, 1TB is going to work out just fine for me (for now) with a little room for the new stuff. At least now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I may even be done by the time my HT3's arrive.
I am sure you are aware, but there is a new mod for the TP power supply that Dan will be offering soon. If you haven't already asked him about it, you may want to. He has posted a little bit of info about it over @ AC. ...just thought I would mention it, in case you didn't know already.
Cheers,
Greg
Quote:
Originally Posted by hifisponge
Holy shite dude. Do you have 1500+ CD's to burn? I just bought a Mac Mini and two 750GB drives (one for back-up) and will start ripping into apple lossless soon as well, but I only have around 3-400 CDs.
The Mac Mini and HD's will be in my AV rack connected directly via optical digital, so no streaming for me and no need for a TP. And I'll use a DVI to HDMI cable out from the Mac Mini to the TV so I have a graphic iTunes interface to use as my music server. Should make listening to music at a whim a hellava lot easier.
Holy shite dude. Do you have 1500+ CD's to burn? I just bought a Mac Mini and two 750GB drives (one for back-up) and will start ripping into apple lossless soon as well, but I only have around 3-400 CDs.
The Mac Mini and HD's will be in my AV rack connected directly via optical digital, so no streaming for me and no need for a TP. And I'll use a DVI to HDMI cable out from the Mac Mini to the TV so I have a graphic iTunes interface to use as my music server. Should make listening to music at a whim a hellava lot easier.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grenamc
First... It's great to know I'm not the only one that will be racking up over 500 gb worth of music. I started my server on my upstairs desktop (400 gb hdd) knowing it would just be a starting point. Said drive is now effectively full and I am roughly 1/2 through my collection. I am guessing around 1500 Cds.
It's incredible how much my listening habits have changed from served music. I think you'll really dig it, Tim. I had considered a Mac Mini, but a Mini + DAC > TP. And before you point out Mw TP > either, I know. But how cool is it to see vacuum tubes and wifi antennea sticking out of the same box? Plus it's supposed to sound ok too.
-Michael
First... It's great to know I'm not the only one that will be racking up over 500 gb worth of music. I started my server on my upstairs desktop (400 gb hdd) knowing it would just be a starting point. Said drive is now effectively full and I am roughly 1/2 through my collection. I am guessing around 1500 Cds.
It's incredible how much my listening habits have changed from served music. I think you'll really dig it, Tim. I had considered a Mac Mini, but a Mini + DAC > TP. And before you point out Mw TP > either, I know. But how cool is it to see vacuum tubes and wifi antennea sticking out of the same box? Plus it's supposed to sound ok too.
-Michael
Quote:
Originally Posted by hifisponge
Don't get me wrong, I wish I had an excuse to put some tubed gear in my rack, but it just wasn't meant to be right now.
I can't wait to put together the music server though. I know it is going to have a profound effect on how and what I listen to. It's the whole reason I'm doing it.
Don't get me wrong, I wish I had an excuse to put some tubed gear in my rack, but it just wasn't meant to be right now.
I can't wait to put together the music server though. I know it is going to have a profound effect on how and what I listen to. It's the whole reason I'm doing it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by scientest
I've ripped about 900 CDs over the last three years, not too horrible but I sure wouldn't want to do it again. I spent some time last week talking to a guy who is looking at starting on ripping 7,000 CDs! Tried talking him into lossless, but he's on a budget so it looks like it will be 256KB VBR ACC. The resultant storage costs are reasonable, but I can't help but wonder if he won't be doing it all over again some time in a couple of years...
I've ripped about 900 CDs over the last three years, not too horrible but I sure wouldn't want to do it again. I spent some time last week talking to a guy who is looking at starting on ripping 7,000 CDs
! Tried talking him into lossless, but he's on a budget so it looks like it will be 256KB VBR ACC. The resultant storage costs are reasonable, but I can't help but wonder if he won't be doing it all over again some time in a couple of years... Quote:
Originally Posted by rydenfan
I am close to needing a second terabit drive and will probably move it all to a NAS with RAID in the next few weeks as I could not imagine re-ripping everything
Tim, why not go with the stock Transporter??? The DACS they use are absolutely incredible and you could run the Slimserver interface to your screen. This would provide way better sonics than the Mac Mini and the Transporter certainly goes with the look of your gear.
I am close to needing a second terabit drive and will probably move it all to a NAS with RAID in the next few weeks as I could not imagine re-ripping everything
Tim, why not go with the stock Transporter??? The DACS they use are absolutely incredible and you could run the Slimserver interface to your screen. This would provide way better sonics than the Mac Mini and the Transporter certainly goes with the look of your gear.
Quote:
Originally Posted by penngray
I just bought two 1.5 TB drives BR movies take up 25-40GB EACH
I just bought two 1.5 TB drives
BR movies take up 25-40GB EACH Quote:
Originally Posted by hifisponge
My thinking was that having the Mac Mini in my AV rack would give me the shortest signal path and would have the "best man for the job" handling the processing (the Classe SSP-800).
The Mac Mini (connected to an external 750GB drive) would simply be a transport sending digital signal directly to the Classe SSP-800 processor.
By going with any streaming type device like the transporter, I am now adding a wi-fi signal between it and the mac mini, having the transporter do DA conversion, the signal is then converted back to digital for bass management in the SSP-800 and back to analog for output to the speakers. This just seems like a lot more processes than necessary.
Even if I connected the transporter to the SSP-800 via analog bypass, I would think that the DACs and the analog output stage would be better in the 800 than in the transporter, no? And then I can only listen in stereo with no subwoofer.
Thoughts?
My thinking was that having the Mac Mini in my AV rack would give me the shortest signal path and would have the "best man for the job" handling the processing (the Classe SSP-800).
The Mac Mini (connected to an external 750GB drive) would simply be a transport sending digital signal directly to the Classe SSP-800 processor.
By going with any streaming type device like the transporter, I am now adding a wi-fi signal between it and the mac mini, having the transporter do DA conversion, the signal is then converted back to digital for bass management in the SSP-800 and back to analog for output to the speakers. This just seems like a lot more processes than necessary.
Even if I connected the transporter to the SSP-800 via analog bypass, I would think that the DACs and the analog output stage would be better in the 800 than in the transporter, no? And then I can only listen in stereo with no subwoofer.
Thoughts?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alimentall
Makes perfect sense to me. Or use Sonos from a NAS drive digital out to the preamp which is what I do. The interface is better and easier (and no screen needed) and allows you to move your music to other parts of the house if you like.
Makes perfect sense to me. Or use Sonos from a NAS drive digital out to the preamp which is what I do. The interface is better and easier (and no screen needed) and allows you to move your music to other parts of the house if you like.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hifisponge
Apple has a solution for that too. I can use an ipod touch as a portable graphical interface to control the itunes library on the mac mini via the wi-fi connection. And if I want music in other rooms, just use an Apple airport, which also has a digital out, to stream music from the server to another system.
Apple has a solution for that too. I can use an ipod touch as a portable graphical interface to control the itunes library on the mac mini via the wi-fi connection. And if I want music in other rooms, just use an Apple airport, which also has a digital out, to stream music from the server to another system.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cschang
I don't think you can stream different songs to seperate Airports though....so all rooms will have to play the same music. I believe Sonos can have up to 32 seperate streams.
I don't think you can stream different songs to seperate Airports though....so all rooms will have to play the same music. I believe Sonos can have up to 32 seperate streams.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hifisponge
True. Though for my smaller home, I wouldn't need that.
True. Though for my smaller home, I wouldn't need that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rydenfan
you are going to have to have an internet connection to the Mac Mini for itunes to work fully so you could just hardwire the transporter instead. The Transporter has both digital and analog outputs for you could listen for yourself and see what you prefer.
I do believe that the "miracle" DACs in the Transporter are superior to what is in a home theater processor; I know the Classe is a high-end processor but the DACs in the TP are incredible. There is a reason that with all of the various mods that exist for the Transporter none of them include replacing the DACs. It absolute best sound quality is what you are after than I believe that would come from the Transporter, but both solutions are good.
you are going to have to have an internet connection to the Mac Mini for itunes to work fully so you could just hardwire the transporter instead. The Transporter has both digital and analog outputs for you could listen for yourself and see what you prefer.
I do believe that the "miracle" DACs in the Transporter are superior to what is in a home theater processor; I know the Classe is a high-end processor but the DACs in the TP are incredible. There is a reason that with all of the various mods that exist for the Transporter none of them include replacing the DACs. It absolute best sound quality is what you are after than I believe that would come from the Transporter, but both solutions are good.
Once that is completed it will be available through the App Store.
). and I am a devote' , fanboy, advocate, and shareholder for Apple!
Cool- thanks
