Music Server

[Eric Tessmer]

Sorry for the ton of questions, but here it goes:

1. Can one make up a decent music server out of a PC, or does it make more sense to buy a dedicated server? I prefer to build my own so I can upgrade by moving my boards instead of buying a new server.

2. Would such a server have to be in another room, or can one make a silent server by using a fan-less PC and a solid state caching drive to play from (caching probably for a Raid-1 pair of 2TB spinning drives)?

3. Any reason I can’t continue to use my Entech 205-2 A/D converter?

4. Where does the optical output come from? I presume this would be some kind of daughterboard in the PC? Or, perhaps a more universal solution would be to use some kind of converter that’s USB in and optical out? That would have the advantage of being able to use future computers with a different buss.

5. Can this be done in Windows (Foobar?) without making a lot of compromises, or will I have to go to a Linux system?

6. What is the best open-source player for FLAC files on such a rig?

7. What’s the best software to rip to FLAC?

 

Any help with these questions would be much appreciated.

Thank you

[firedog]

Eric-

 

These are my answers, others may chime in with different opinions:

1. Yes. If you have the money, there are some very good dedicated servers, specially designed and setup for audio. But these tend to cost much more than one you make yourself.

 

2. Most people here go fanless for just the reasons you mention. See the CAPS 3 servers on this site (4 models) for a guide on what to build, depending on your needs.

 

3. No reason you can't continue to use it, but there are very good DACs available today from about $100, and truly excellent ones from about $300 new. Some of the newer ones are even in a USB stick format, and connect directly form the server USB out to your analog input on your pre/amp. See the LH Geek DAC for an example. It has many direct competitors from around $100.

 

Many of the newer DACs won't limit your file choice and will play pretty much any format/sample rate now available, unlike your DAC. I'm not really familiar with your DAC, but I'm willing to bet some of these new DACs will be an audible upgrade.

 

4. Yes. If you want to continue to use the optical input on your DAC, you need to build the server with a MB that has an optical out. As far as a converter, you will have a more difficult time finding USB>optical. Many choices at all price levels are available for USB>SPDIF converters, which are in widespread use and very popular in the last few years. Personally, rather than spend money on a converter, I'd get a new DAC that plugs into your USB. That said, many of the converters are very good (there is an extensive thread here about them) and give great sound. Probably better than you would get from an output built into your motherboard.

 

5. Foobar, yes. There is a big Linux vs. Windows debate. But many users here use Windows and Foobar, and consider that the best choice. Certainly one of the most convenient. No reason not to go for Linux if you are comfortable with that. Many non Windows users here think it gives superior results.

 

6. Probably Foobar. Again, a subject of debate.

 

7. Most people here use EAC (free) or dBpoweramp (commercial) if in Windows. dBpoweramp is very powerful and gives you lots of options, including an option for fully uncompressed flac. You apparently can do uncompressed flac in EAC, but takes adding a line or two of coding.

 

6.

 

Sorry for the ton of questions, but here it goes:

1. Can one make up a decent music server out of a PC, or does it make more sense to buy a dedicated server? I prefer to build my own so I can upgrade by moving my boards instead of buying a new server.

2. Would such a server have to be in another room, or can one make a silent server by using a fan-less PC and a solid state caching drive to play from (caching probably for a Raid-1 pair of 2TB spinning drives)?

3. Any reason I can’t continue to use my Entech 205-2 A/D converter?

4. Where does the optical output come from? I presume this would be some kind of daughterboard in the PC? Or, perhaps a more universal solution would be to use some kind of converter that’s USB in and optical out? That would have the advantage of being able to use future computers with a different buss.

5. Can this be done in Windows (Foobar?) without making a lot of compromises, or will I have to go to a Linux system?

6. What is the best open-source player for FLAC files on such a rig?

7. What’s the best software to rip to FLAC?

 

Any help with these questions would be much appreciated.

Thank you

[Audio_ELF]

Sorry for the ton of questions, but here it goes:

6. What is the best open-source player for FLAC files on such a rig?

6. Probably Foobar. Again, a subject of debate.

Just for reference ... Foobar2000 is not open source - although its licence does allow it to be redistributed for free the source code is not available and cannot be modified.

 

foobar2000: License

 

Eloise

[wappinghigh]

Sorry for the ton of questions, but here it goes:

1. Can one make up a decent music server out of a PC, or does it make more sense to buy a dedicated server? I prefer to build my own so I can upgrade by moving my boards instead of buying a new server.

2. Would such a server have to be in another room, or can one make a silent server by using a fan-less PC and a solid state caching drive to play from (caching probably for a Raid-1 pair of 2TB spinning drives)?

3. Any reason I can’t continue to use my Entech 205-2 A/D converter?

4. Where does the optical output come from? I presume this would be some kind of daughterboard in the PC? Or, perhaps a more universal solution would be to use some kind of converter that’s USB in and optical out? That would have the advantage of being able to use future computers with a different buss.

5. Can this be done in Windows (Foobar?) without making a lot of compromises, or will I have to go to a Linux system?

6. What is the best open-source player for FLAC files on such a rig?

7. What’s the best software to rip to FLAC?

 

Any help with these questions would be much appreciated.

Thank you

 

Why bother, when you could put MinimServer on a simple $200 NAS.... heck even a Raspberry Pi... and serve up an entire library including every possible format for the price of a couple of watt hrs per day...?

[Eric Tessmer]

Firedog, Thank you for thorough reply and thoughts. Audio_ELF, Wappinghigh, thank you for you comments. A lot to consider and will probably have more questions later.

Thanks again