Newbie: getting ready to ditch CD and set up my computer as a source?

[Cosimojack]

here's what I have:

Phones= Stax Lambda Pro's
Amp= Stax SRM 1 Mk 2
Dac = Valab 2009 ver. (should have this week)
Main Computer Rig Dell 530 running - Vista 32bit - 4gb RAM
Wife already has an IPOD touch + Mac-Pro laptop with Itunes...

The questions I have:

1. Hard drive - I need a new one (currently have only 60-80gb left) but I'm not sure what to get? I have about 500 cd's to convert + about another 80gb of music in mp3's...

2. How do I best encorporate everything so I can use both my wife's system/mine to play music? Is the simple answer an external HD + Itunes (ALAC) on both systems?

Any other programs I need or other options... new to computer audio setup so any advise is appreciated?

Thanks!

 

[rasterscan]

You could use a external HD but iTunes can share your library over your home network. I do this all the time, works fine with apple lossless codec.

 

[Cosimojack]

nice... thanks for the reply!

So all I need to do is download iTunes to my PC + get a decent/fast internal HD... thinking WD 640gb black caviar (was $69 just day ago on Amazon), 5year warranty and I'm all set...

 

[iriverdude]

Just buy a media streamer, Squeezebox V3 or Duet, Roku, Sonos or Popcorn Hour (PH needs a display)

You can use a PC as a source but you need a display and HTPC front end. I've got a HTPC as well as media streamer and the streamer outclasses the HTPC by a mile. And no need for 50" plasma to be on sucking power for no reason.

 

[rasterscan]

Sounds like a good start.
Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosimojack /img/forum/go_quote.gif nice... thanks for the reply! So all I need to do is download iTunes to my PC + get a decent/fast internal HD... thinking WD 640gb black caviar (was $69 just day ago on Amazon), 5year warranty and I'm all set...

 

[apatN]

I have that same WD640GB but I am not sure if it is the black version. I bought it when it was just released. I use it for storage only and have no trouble with it. It is quite fast although sometimes it needs to 'wake up'.

It is full though so hopefully I will have my new 1TB disk tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. It will also be a WD.

 

[EnOYiN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosimojack /img/forum/go_quote.gif 1. Hard drive - I need a new one (currently have only 60-80gb left) but I'm not sure what to get? I have about 500 cd's to convert + about another 80gb of music in mp3's... 2. How do I best encorporate everything so I can use both my wife's system/mine to play music? Is the simple answer an external HD + Itunes (ALAC) on both systems?

You could consider a NAS, but it depends on your network and the knowledge you've got using such things. I like it better than an external hard drive because I can use it with wireless so I can sit in the garden with just my laptop (or netbook) and listen to music outside or where ever I would like to. I can also watch films where I want etc.

If you like iTunes I would suggest you just keep on using it.

 

[iriverdude]

Quote:

get a decent/fast internal HD... thinking WD 640gb black caviar

No you want a slow HD. Less noise, heat and power consumption. The blacks are the worst choice for HTPC/NAS and other energy efficient uses. Go for the greens, I've got two 1TB greens in my NAS.

 

[Cosimojack]

Thanks a lot of good ideas here... eventually I will set up a NAS + some sort of media player...

but for now I'm going to keep it simple and see what new developments are made...

The world of audio certaintly is making a shift towards computers...

so for now - another HD, all my music in one place, iTunes, download, software that turns my wife's Touch into a remote.

Looks like it will be a green WD... thanks Iriverdude.

 

[iriverdude]

Yep those Greens are 5400rpm. Actually when I said the blacks are the worst choice for a NAS or HTPC the Raptors/Veloraptors are a even worse choice. 10K and noisy.

A Popcorn Hour & a small LCD TV - 17" or so would be a nice system, the unit is passive no fans. 17" for UI and album art. I have not used the Popcorn Hour though, but if it's got a half decent music database system should be suitable, and the firmware supports seems quite open. Unlike Apple.

I'd try and move away from itunes if possible it's a bit too locked in for my liking. The proof is that it's locked in is that it's difficult to move away. QED.