I'm tired of using my laptop and external HD as a digital music player in my audio systems. All I listen to is 2 channel stereo. Does anyone manufacture a decent (near audiophile) unit that handles all file formats (VLC player is my favorite) and would ideally use an external HD (collection is > 500 GB). Prefer an internal DAC for portability even if less than ideal. I'm tempted to build another small computer but don't really need much of a display and don't know of any options other than small flatscreens. Thanks, I'm hoping I can buy something for $200-400.
Digital audio media player for 2 channel
-
Now Available: Tech Talk Podcast with Scott Wilkinson, Episode 19 Click here for details.
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
If you must have easy portability, you're pretty much now limited to MP3 players and netbooks with external DAC's for your stated price point.
If you only need portability within range of your home network, then you also have the option of media streamers too.
If you only need portability within range of your home network, then you also have the option of media streamers too.
Assuming you already own an ipod you could try one of Wadia's products like the 170i. I personally have never heard one but they have recived some positive reviews. I myself am planning on purchasing the Squeezbox Touch, whenever they decide to release it, and combining it with the Cambridge DACMagic.
Also, there is the AppleTV that you coud use.
Nish
Also, there is the AppleTV that you coud use.
Nish
No iPod- my collection quickly blew by 300 GB and there was no way I wanted to spend time transferring content. I built a quiet computer for the family room but find I now want something "portable" to play digital music in the listening room and at our farm. Laptop does ok but is a little precarious. The squeezebox and a portable HD seems the best bet so far. Guess I could get an external DAC for the listening room, but IMHO my albums are still the way to go when I want to listen to something really good. I'm being seduced by the ease and variety of digital which is ok. Anyone think the 96 KHz samkpling limitation is significant?
I'm not really sure about sample rate. I know my ears have declined dramatically in the last 5 years. My younger brother has gotten obsessed with converting his large album collection to digital format and believes there's an audilbe difference between the 24 bit/96 KHz and those upsampled to 192 KHz. I guess as long as you're willing to devote the storage space for the upsampled files you could always hope to utilize the higher quality with future hardware. For me, the $299 price of the Touch is something I can afford and I bet it will sound great to me.
Are we sure that it will play the advertised formats directly from a 1 TB external hard drive?
Are we sure that it will play the advertised formats directly from a 1 TB external hard drive?
check out the WDTV from western digital. Their website has all the info you need. It does much more than 2 channel audio, but you should be able to purchase it for under $100. Plays back MP3, WMA & flac.
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/index.asp?cat=30
for a little more, the live version is network ready.
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/index.asp?cat=30
for a little more, the live version is network ready.
Joined
·
8,818 Posts
I do use an WDTV to play music files, works fine, however keep in mind that you will need one TV to browse the files.
I do use an WDTV to play music files, works fine, however keep in mind that you will need one TV to browse the files.
Any AVRs that allow for USB hard drive connections? So you can just take a 1TB hard drive everywhere?
__________________
It is not "open-minded" to reject knowledge - Bob Lee
The newer Pioneer receivers have a USB port in the front. A guy in the Pioneer VSX 1019 AV forum said he connected his WD passport and was able to easily view pictures and play audio files.
__________________
It is not "open-minded" to reject knowledge - Bob Lee
The newer Pioneer receivers have a USB port in the front. A guy in the Pioneer VSX 1019 AV forum said he connected his WD passport and was able to easily view pictures and play audio files.
I have the VSX-919. The USB port is a really nice feature, but it can get complicated. There are a few "gotchas." The Pioneer USB only reads FAT32 partitions and will not play lossless that I have found. I use WMA 192 rips primarily, and your music must be ripped in WMA Audio or VBR. WMA Pro or lossless will not work. People claim low-power USB drives will work but I haven't tested that yet. I have a Seagate FreeAgent that should work but it's NTFS and I can't reformat it to try. I haven't messed with MP3s either.
I have the VSX-919. The USB port is a really nice feature, but it can get complicated. There are a few "gotchas." The Pioneer USB only reads FAT32 partitions and will not play lossless that I have found. I use WMA 192 rips primarily, and your music must be ripped in WMA Audio or VBR. WMA Pro or lossless will not work. People claim low-power USB drives will work but I haven't tested that yet. I have a Seagate FreeAgent that should work but it's NTFS and I can't reformat it to try. I haven't messed with MP3s either.
Joined
·
8,818 Posts
Too hard
![]()
better, create a playlist file (M3U) and let it roll.
Too hard
Joined
·
1,249 Posts
In windows there is a very small size allowed for formating Fat 32 so I used another app to format a 500gig drive and don't think there is a limit to size. (PM me if interested I would have to find it in my back ups and don't recall what it was called). Used it with my denon 3808 which will play MP3 upto 320 WMA, Wav and Flacc with I used most. The Flac option was a deal breaker for me. I believe most AVRs will play wav though.
BTW don't use this method any more just play off the network with TVersity or use the HTPC i am setting up in the same room.
In windows there is a very small size allowed for formating Fat 32 so I used another app to format a 500gig drive and don't think there is a limit to size. (PM me if interested I would have to find it in my back ups and don't recall what it was called). Used it with my denon 3808 which will play MP3 upto 320 WMA, Wav and Flacc with I used most. The Flac option was a deal breaker for me. I believe most AVRs will play wav though.
BTW don't use this method any more just play off the network with TVersity or use the HTPC i am setting up in the same room.
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
