Author Topic: Audio forum (Read 2622 times)

Poly Hive · « **on:** 03 June, 2015, 02:19:29 pm »

Friend wants to know how to move his CD collection to a computer basis so it will stream,anyone know of a useful audio forum please?

PH

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #1 on:** 03 June, 2015, 02:56:21 pm »

This one seems to attract a goodly number of knowledgeable and friendly types.

Biggsy · « **Reply #2 on:** 03 June, 2015, 03:03:29 pm »

We can answer it on this forum. One (lowish budget) way to do it:

Rip the CDs to FLAC with Exact Audio Copy, and stream with Logitech Media Server to a second-hand Squeezebox Classic off eBay connected to hi-fi amplifier.

Woofage · « **Reply #3 on:** 03 June, 2015, 03:05:06 pm »

I second what Mr Larrington wrote. Find out what your friend's requirements are (eg how may CDs, dedicated NAS or stream from computer, what level of "audiophileness", budget, does he/she need multi-room etc) and post the info here.

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #4 on:** 03 June, 2015, 03:44:49 pm »

Quote from: Biggsy on 03 June, 2015, 03:03:29 pm

We can answer it on this forum. One (lowish budget) way to do it:

Rip the CDs to FLAC with Exact Audio Copy, and stream with Logitech Media Server to a second-hand Squeezebox Classic off eBay connected to hi-fi amplifier.

Now look what you've made me do! Bid for a Squeezebox Classic on Fleabay, that's what. Bad Biggsy!

Poly Hive · « **Reply #5 on:** 03 June, 2015, 04:04:05 pm »

Ok, I asked and this is one of the most baffling replies I have had in 20 odd years on the net....Enjoy!

"Rip CD's (about 300) in dBPoweramp and store on an 'approved' by Naim NAS - there is a list..... Link that via Ethernet to an NDX (small car price, if new - mine wont be....), power that off my XPS, and plug into my 82/250. Potential for multi-room from the NAS, once all running.
Level of Audiophile-ness - 11 (1 to 10 - Spinal Tap...)"

PH

nicknack · « **Reply #6 on:** 03 June, 2015, 04:08:53 pm »

This seems like a good place to ask: What's the difference between streaming an audio file and playing one?

Woofage · « **Reply #7 on:** 03 June, 2015, 04:14:53 pm »

Quote from: Poly Hive on 03 June, 2015, 04:04:05 pm

Ok, I asked and this is one of the most baffling replies I have had in 20 odd years on the net....Enjoy!

"Rip CD's (about 300) in dBPoweramp and store on an 'approved' by Naim NAS - there is a list..... Link that via Ethernet to an NDX (small car price, if new - mine wont be....), power that off my XPS, and plug into my 82/250. Potential for multi-room from the NAS, once all running.
Level of Audiophile-ness - 11 (1 to 10 - Spinal Tap...)"

PH

Reading the above I'm not sure he (I'm assuming he here) needs any help. I expect the Naim kit will be provided with documentation for the procedure he needs to follow to get it all set up.

Woofage · « **Reply #8 on:** 03 June, 2015, 04:16:28 pm »

Quote from: nicknack on 03 June, 2015, 04:08:53 pm

This seems like a good place to ask: What's the difference between streaming an audio file and playing one?

I'm no expert but I'm assuming that "stream" involves network hardware between the storage (ie server) the the playing hardware/software.

nicknack · « **Reply #9 on:** 03 June, 2015, 04:21:06 pm »

Ta. I wasn't sure that it wasn't just being used as the latest hip word for playing.

Biggsy · « **Reply #10 on:** 03 June, 2015, 04:33:15 pm »

Hope you enjoy your Squeezey if you win one, Mr L. Very good for boudoirs, they are, with a dimmable display and nicely ergonomical remote control.

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #11 on:** 03 June, 2015, 06:03:50 pm »

Quote from: Biggsy on 03 June, 2015, 04:33:15 pm

Hope you enjoy your Squeezey if you win one, Mr L. Very good for boudoirs, they are, with a dimmable display and nicely ergonomical remote control.

Should I win such a beast I need to decide whether it goes in the kitchen or the Grand Bedchamber. The latter already has remotes for the telly, PVR, DVD player and amp...

Kim · « **Reply #12 on:** 03 June, 2015, 06:38:30 pm »

Quote from: nicknack on 03 June, 2015, 04:08:53 pm

This seems like a good place to ask: What's the difference between streaming an audio file and playing one?

Streaming usually means transferring the file over a network in realtime on an on-demand basis (with a little overhead for buffering to avoid latency issues) - the idea being that only the data actually played needs to be transferred. This is distinct from accessing a file on a remote server using a network filesystem (which tend to be optimised for throughput rather than consistent latency), though the overall effect may be the same.

Streaming can be one-to-many - hopefully making use of broadcast network protocols so the data only has to be sent once - and can allow (again, within the limits of buffering) synchronised playback in multiple locations.

With audio files^[1] (even uncompressed PCM) and modern hardware, it's all a bit academic, as the file sizes are so small compared to the capabilities of the common LAN technologies. The difference is still very relevant if you're piping HD video around.

_{[1] Not to be confused with audiophiles.}

andrewc · « **Reply #13 on:** 03 June, 2015, 08:10:47 pm »

For specialist audio stuff try Pink Fish Media, it's a nice place.
If you like Garrard idler drive turntables, valve amps & big Tannoy speakers it's a wonderful place! But they will happily offer advice on digital stuff as well.

Also very good for photography & expensive watches ...

nicknack · « **Reply #14 on:** 03 June, 2015, 09:11:20 pm »

Quote from: Kim on 03 June, 2015, 06:38:30 pm

Quote from: nicknack on 03 June, 2015, 04:08:53 pm
This seems like a good place to ask: What's the difference between streaming an audio file and playing one?

Streaming usually means transferring the file over a network in realtime on an on-demand basis (with a little overhead for buffering to avoid latency issues) - the idea being that only the data actually played needs to be transferred. This is distinct from accessing a file on a remote server using a network filesystem (which tend to be optimised for throughput rather than consistent latency), though the overall effect may be the same.

Streaming can be one-to-many - hopefully making use of broadcast network protocols so the data only has to be sent once - and can allow (again, within the limits of buffering) synchronised playback in multiple locations.

With audio files^[1] (even uncompressed PCM) and modern hardware, it's all a bit academic, as the file sizes are so small compared to the capabilities of the common LAN technologies. The difference is still very relevant if you're piping HD video around.

_{[1] Not to be confused with audiophiles.}

Thanks. That's my bit of learning for today.

pcolbeck · « **Reply #15 on:** 03 June, 2015, 11:43:36 pm »

Quote from: Kim on 03 June, 2015, 06:38:30 pm

Streaming can be one-to-many - hopefully making use of ~~broadcast~~ multicast network protocols so the data only has to be sent once - and can allow (again, within the limits of buffering) synchronised playback in multiple locations.

_{[1] Not to be confused with audiophiles.}

FTFY Kim.

Kim · « **Reply #16 on:** 03 June, 2015, 11:59:28 pm »

Indeed. That was semi-deliberate, on the basis that 'multicast' probably isn't going to mean much to someone who doesn't know what streaming means, but yes.

And to anticipate the obvious question.... At a basic level, you can think of the difference between broadcast and multicast as the difference between sending the same data to everything on the whole network, and sending the same data to the parts of the network with things that actually want to receive it. (Neither of which are the same as sending a copy of the data to each client individually.) What benefit this makes in practice depends on the network topography. Multicast isn't as commonly used as you might expect, because it's more complicated and less generally useful than throwing extra bandwidth at the problem.

clifftaylor · « **Reply #17 on:** 05 June, 2015, 07:12:27 am »

Another vote for Pink Fish.

Zipperhead · « **Reply #18 on:** 05 June, 2015, 02:36:42 pm »

Quote from: Mr Larrington on 03 June, 2015, 06:03:50 pm

Quote from: Biggsy on 03 June, 2015, 04:33:15 pm
Hope you enjoy your Squeezey if you win one, Mr L. Very good for boudoirs, they are, with a dimmable display and nicely ergonomical remote control.

Should I win such a beast I need to decide whether it goes in the kitchen or the Grand Bedchamber. The latter already has remotes for the telly, PVR, DVD player and amp...

Buy another one and sync them together - saves deciding.

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #19 on:** 05 June, 2015, 03:32:18 pm »

But that would leave my old XP lapdancer with nothing to do!

I've just moved it into the kitchen to send music-voles to an ancient NAD 3225 and pair of pensioned-off surround squeakers.

valkyrie · « **Reply #20 on:** 05 June, 2015, 10:28:15 pm »

dbpoweramp is an excellent bit of software for ripping CDs, I'd recommend it. And for playback Richer Sounds are selling Marantz Melody Stream MCR510 for £219 brand new, which isn't much more than folk are paying for old Squeezeboxes on eBay.

Biggsy · « **Reply #21 on:** 06 June, 2015, 11:29:42 am »

People are paying £50 to £90 for used Squeezebox Classics.

microphonie · « **Reply #22 on:** 06 June, 2015, 02:11:40 pm »

Quote from: Poly Hive on 03 June, 2015, 04:04:05 pm

Ok, I asked and this is one of the most baffling replies I have had in 20 odd years on the net....Enjoy!

"Rip CD's (about 300) in dBPoweramp and store on an 'approved' by Naim NAS - there is a list..... Link that via Ethernet to an NDX (small car price, if new - mine wont be....), power that off my XPS, and plug into my 82/250. Potential for multi-room from the NAS, once all running.
Level of Audiophile-ness - 11 (1 to 10 - Spinal Tap...)"

PH

If he's using Naim kit then the logical forum is the Naim Forum - Streaming Audio section

Poly Hive · « **Reply #23 on:** 10 June, 2015, 01:19:02 pm »

Yup I think he is on there.

I remember some 40 years ago when I had an audio interest that the saying was the ones that are old enough to afford the kit don't have the ears to appreciate it, and the ones with the ears canna afford it.

Now I am sporting hearing aids it sure is true for me as the top end of the spectrum is gone. Aids or no. Then again so is the interest so no worries.

PH

GraemeMcC · « **Reply #24 on:** 16 June, 2015, 01:15:42 pm »

I am/was well impressed with my Squeezebox Touch (bought after learing about them here on YACF) with CDs EAC'd to a Synology NAS. Sounded reet gradly into my old NAD3020 and ageing AR18s.

But then, went and bought a Rega DAC (and Rega Brio amp, when I was also buying new speakers) and the dealer (Doug Brady, Warrington) suggested I bring along some tracks on a laptop. So, eeePc with Banshee and a few FLACs were fed into the DAC re-clocking input. WOW !

I wish my ears were 30 years younger now...

But I still quite like the SBT for "background playlists" purposes.