Build a dedicated Audio PC

[nige2000]

i dont know if theres much prep work that can be done,

only:
have all your settings where it works the best
any pc to be used as an audio pc for 2pc streaming set to 192.168.1.29 (not that it would take long to do that, fairly sure no other settings are required)
have a copy of your jplay setup installer just incase you need to reinstall (5h1t happens)
somewhere to store the test music
- use direct connect via a LAN cable, not a router
- use a single ControlPC & change AudioPC (device under test DUT)

[Claus]

My BLACKPETE fanless NUC has left Germany. So if it is here by Friday I might try and bring it along...
If nothing else just to look over the shoulders of you guys :),

I am going to prepare a windows 8 USB stick. Should I go with the optimized for audio version that has been talked about or just a normal install?
Thanks

[nige2000]

My BLACKPETE fanless NUC has left Germany. So if it is here by Friday I might try and bring it along...
If nothing else just to look over the shoulders of you guys :),

I am going to prepare a windows 8 USB stick. Should I go with the optimized for audio version that has been talked about or just a normal install?
Thanks

i gave up with the audio version, too much stuff disabled for my liking, maybe Fran's still using it
i had trouble installing and running win8 on a normal usb3 stick, john had hassle too, My certified WTG stick works a treat,
you ordered a msata ssd? it should work fine

[jkeny]

My BLACKPETE fanless NUC has left Germany. So if it is here by Friday I might try and bring it along...
If nothing else just to look over the shoulders of you guys :),

I am going to prepare a windows 8 USB stick. Should I go with the optimized for audio version that has been talked about or just a normal install?
Thanks

Claus, as Nige says go with the ordinary Win 8 & not "audiophile" Win 8 version
All my problems in creating a Win to go stick were sorted when I followed this method http://agnipulse.com/2012/11/windows-to ... ndows-7-8/

[Fran]

OK,

I was talking with John earlier about this.

1. Initial step: no streaming to being with, just single PC with latest jplay version.
2. I'll throw up 3 or 4 test tracks on dropbox and send you each a link (pls send me your emails) that you can each have loaded so that we are all listening to the same files.
3. Just use 1 x ciunas dac - and only 1 USB lead, swapping from one PC to the next as we go. Please everyone preinstall the amanero drivers so that we avoid installs and restarts on the night.
4. I suggest in the meantime that we all figure out what the lowest US size we can use is, and then select a figure 1.5x that so that we have fairly stable sound on the night.


So to list what we plan on hearing:

Pearse with original Zuma
Fran with his zuma, but separate fan and linear supply
Nige2000 - his take on the zuma with the WTG stick
John - his NUC
If needs be, my laptop can be a bog standard control

+/- Claus depending on delivery.

I can supply USB keyboard, mouse and regular monitor, so in each case you each just need to bring the PC.


If there are interesting differences to be heard then we can get into streaming and so on. In the case that we stream stuff, we should pick one laptop and stick with that (can use mine). If you want to pre-config the wired IP settings for your audioPC:

IP address: 192.168.2.2
Subnet Mask : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway : 192.168.2.1

Now click on "Use the following DNS server Addresses", and input the following beside "Preferred DNS Server"
Preferred DNS Server: 192.168.2.1

If you do that then your audioPC will match up with my controlPC. My 2 communicate without me needing a crossover cable (nic is autosensing) although I do have a crossover cable here somewhere. It would be good to know if any of your PCs needed a crossover cable in advance.


How does all that sound? I just don't want to end up endlessly rebooting and so on, and also that we can get some good info out of the evening RE the options.

Fran

[Fran]

Meant to add:

How about we aim to start off about 7-730ish?


I'll send directions etc tomorrow night....


Fran

[nige2000]

Sounds fine Fran

ive no huge interest in streaming mode, although i like to do an odd comparison to single mode to see if there's any improvement. i will be running my finished audio pc in single mode. one stream comparison is fine for me.

ill bring everything i think might be useful, just incase
ive a crossover cable too,(ethernet cable works fine for me)

nige

[jkeny]

Great, Fran
One thing occurred to me - I know Pearse & I will need a DVI/HDMI monitor or TV for our headless Zuma & Ciúna (that's my nickname for mine) :)

[Fran]

I have a dvi to vga adapter - works fine with the dh77eb mobo....

[nige2000]

Great, Fran
One thing occurred to me - I know Pearse & I will need a DVI/HDMI monitor or TV for our headless Zuma & Ciúna (that's my nickname for mine) :)

i have one or two of them somewhere ill post back if i find em