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Re: Computer audio and my closed mind

Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2018 9:41 pm
by montechristo358
Wav rather than Flac?

Re: Computer audio and my closed mind

Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2018 10:09 pm
by Fretless
I'm currently in the process of Re-ripping my CD collection to WAV files to replace the current FLAC's.

After careful comparison I find WAV to be opener and more involving than the brittle sound of FLAC.

Re: Computer audio and my closed mind

Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:44 am
by Simon Hickie
montechristo358 wrote: Thu Apr 05, 2018 9:41 pm Wav rather than Flac?
Yes. They take up more space on disk and are less good with metadata but you eliminate the need for the additional processing needed for FLAC files.

Re: Computer audio and my closed mind

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 3:50 pm
by karatestu
Simon Hickie wrote: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:44 am
montechristo358 wrote: Thu Apr 05, 2018 9:41 pm Wav rather than Flac?
Yes. They take up more space on disk and are less good with metadata but you eliminate the need for the additional processing needed for FLAC files.
What do you use to rip the CD's Simon ?

I have never ripped a CD in my life. I don't even know how to use iTunes and we have got it (wife does all that).

I would not want to skimp on quality but then not knowing anything means the whole thing is a mine field littered with acronyms that I don't even know the meaning of. A steep learning curve for me to be sure to be sure.

I have been reading on TAS that slinger has just purchased a Pi and intends to use it in anger. I have so many things to look in to I don't know where to start. Also been reading about DAC's - Beresford seg looks interesting and is at an attractive price. I like the direct selling at trade price approach.

Stu (my head hurts)

Re: Computer audio and my closed mind

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:12 pm
by montechristo358
Fretless wrote: Thu Apr 05, 2018 10:09 pm I'm currently in the process of Re-ripping my CD collection to WAV files to replace the current FLAC's.

After careful comparison I find WAV to be opener and more involving than the brittle sound of FLAC.
I won't say you are wrong, but have you tried uncompressed FLAC? I use purely for how much easier it makes library management rather than any space concerns

Re: Computer audio and my closed mind

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:20 pm
by montechristo358
karatestu wrote: Thu Apr 12, 2018 3:50 pm
Simon Hickie wrote: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:44 am
montechristo358 wrote: Thu Apr 05, 2018 9:41 pm Wav rather than Flac?
Yes. They take up more space on disk and are less good with metadata but you eliminate the need for the additional processing needed for FLAC files.
What do you use to rip the CD's Simon ?

I have never ripped a CD in my life. I don't even know how to use iTunes and we have got it (wife does all that).

I would not want to skimp on quality but then not knowing anything means the whole thing is a mine field littered with acronyms that I don't even know the meaning of. A steep learning curve for me to be sure to be sure.

I have been reading on TAS that slinger has just purchased a Pi and intends to use it in anger. I have so many things to look in to I don't know where to start. Also been reading about DAC's - Beresford seg looks interesting and is at an attractive price. I like the direct selling at trade price approach.

Stu (my head hurts)
Stu

I'd heartily recommend DBPoweramp as the ripping software

if you new to streaming then break it down into teh sections below

Files - always rip in the best quality you can, FLAC or WAV, my preference is FLAC, you can always convert to other formats later as a batch job. If you rip them as MP3 for example you are always stuck with that quality.

Storage, Where do you want to keep the files, PC,NAS, Hard disk attached to the Playback device? My preference is NAS, as you can keep the noisy computer bits and spinning hard drives away from your audio gear. You also don't need to leave a PC on

Playback - What hardware will you use to get the music int your stereo? This may have its own DAC or you may choose an offboard one.

Control - How will you choose what to play? This may be a tablet or phone, physical or remote or the Playback device may need a screen.


personally I use

DB Poweramp to rip to uncompressed FLAC
DIY NAS to store the files
Raspberry PIs as the playback devices. Some running Picoreplayer, others running Roon
Android Tablet for control using OrangeSqueeze or Roon Remote

Re: Computer audio and my closed mind

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:36 pm
by Fretless
A free alternative ripping system is EAC - Exact Audio Copy. Gives bit-perfect images of CD music data.

Pi's are cheap, fun, easy (when you get going) and can provide absurdly good audio. I use (free) software from Volumio, directed from a phone.

Re: Computer audio and my closed mind

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:42 pm
by montechristo358
is EAC still command line only? I was always impressed with its quality but less so its ease of use

Re: Computer audio and my closed mind

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:52 pm
by Fretless
Newer versions of EAC are much easier to set up and use than the older edition.
DbPowerAmp is a more integrated total package, but certain functions have to be paid for.

Re: Computer audio and my closed mind

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:57 pm
by karatestu
montechristo358 wrote: Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:20 pm
karatestu wrote: Thu Apr 12, 2018 3:50 pm
Simon Hickie wrote: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:44 am

Yes. They take up more space on disk and are less good with metadata but you eliminate the need for the additional processing needed for FLAC files.
What do you use to rip the CD's Simon ?

I have never ripped a CD in my life. I don't even know how to use iTunes and we have got it (wife does all that).

I would not want to skimp on quality but then not knowing anything means the whole thing is a mine field littered with acronyms that I don't even know the meaning of. A steep learning curve for me to be sure to be sure.

I have been reading on TAS that slinger has just purchased a Pi and intends to use it in anger. I have so many things to look in to I don't know where to start. Also been reading about DAC's - Beresford seg looks interesting and is at an attractive price. I like the direct selling at trade price approach.

Stu (my head hurts)
Stu

I'd heartily recommend DBPoweramp as the ripping software
Noted
if you new to streaming then break it down into teh sections below

Files - always rip in the best quality you can, FLAC or WAV, my preference is FLAC, you can always convert to other formats later as a batch job. If you rip them as MP3 for example you are always stuck with that quality.
FLAC or WAV it is then. Fretless prefers WAV, you prefer FLAC
Storage, Where do you want to keep the files, PC,NAS, Hard disk attached to the Playback device? My preference is NAS, as you can keep the noisy computer bits and spinning hard drives away from your audio gear. You also don't need to leave a PC on
NAS it is then. What's a NAS ?
Playback - What hardware will you use to get the music int your stereo? This may have its own DAC or you may choose an offboard one.
Maybe a Pi plus an offboard dac
Control - How will you choose what to play? This may be a tablet or phone, physical or remote or the Playback device may need a screen.
Not fussed, but i have seen you can get a screen for a Pi

personally I use

DB Poweramp to rip to uncompressed FLAC
DIY NAS to store the files
Raspberry PIs as the playback devices. Some running Picoreplayer, others running Roon
Android Tablet for control using OrangeSqueeze or Roon Remote
I want to keep it all dedicated for high quality audio use only and if that means having a Pi (mini computer ?)and a add on storage device then so be it. Keeping the audio thing separate from any corruption of any sort is what i want to do. Thing is I may in the future (never say never) do some streaming as well as playing back ripped CD's so it would have to be compatible with that also I guess. Asking too much ?????

Thanks for all the help. Getting to grips with this has already started and i want it to ultimately be as good as i can make it within a sensible budget.

Stu