Computer front end advice - NOTE Acronym Free Zone

[Sloop John B]

I'm deliberately NOT posting this in the CA section but hoping for participation form the stalwarts over here.

Like many of us here I presume I have speakers, an amplifier and a couple of sources.

I have a streamer (Squeezebox Touch) as one of these sources so have a large collection ripped to a NAS drive.

I understand I need a DAC with async USB or a combination of DAC and converter to use a Computer as a source.

Now I have a Toshiba laptop that will be nearing end of useful life stage. Are there a relatively simple few set of steps to set this up as a source to compare it to the SBT?

I have all the music on the QNAP NAS backed up to a WD USB drive (which may or may not be relevant)

I don't mind spending a modest amount on software but do not wish to be upgrading USB chipsets or somesuch on a weekly basis.

So is there are relatively stable set up that i can configure so that I can usefully assess what all the fuss is about?


SJB

[DaveF]

Does the software have to have a polished front end like JRiver or are you willing to tinker around using the likes of MQN etc?
Might be worth for some of the CA experts here to summarise whats needed for a stripped down Audio PC since your Toshiba appears to be on its last legs.

[Sloop John B]

It's not on it's last legs, it's WIN 7 64 bit but gets little use now with iPad. It's not quick starting up but it's just fine functionally.

Like for my SBT. Connect it to network, point it at music (NAS) connect it to amp or dac.

This gives you a good idea what it can do. OK you can add EDO and do various tweaks but that's icing on the cake, if the cake isn't tasty before these are done you're unlikely to change your mind about the enhancements.

I don't know if I'm looking for JRiver or MQN as I know nowt of Computer Audio, but I'd like to taste it.

(hope my analogies are making sense!)

SJB

[jkeny]

John,
Would you consider it worthwhile to have a listen to some CA (is this acronym permissible or am I introducing a slippery slope? :)) setups to hear/see if it's worth pursuing this yourself? I know the CA setups will be unfamiliar systems in unfamiliar rooms but it might give you some idea? You could possibly bring your SB Touch & try it in these systems (owner's willing)?

[tony]

At some point John I could pop up to you and try a windows8 with ciunas dac or try installing software on your win7 and try ciunas on it.
But did you not try that already with John or maybe that was through the SB?

Welcome to come down also if you want to hear a dedicated PC

[jkeny]

Tony, John tried a Ciunas converter between the SB Touch & his Naim DAC - I don't think John was interested in CA at the time.

[Sloop John B]

and I don't know if I'm interested in CA even now, but it seems rude not to at least attempt hearing it in my system.

What I am not interested in is a constantly changing software, driver and hardware or whatever configurations.

I am the sort that will probably hear differences is different colour rocks are put in my listening room! I really find A vs B very difficult and usually whatever I'm listening to at that moment is the best!

BUT I do have a DAC, do have an amp and speakers that I'm very happy with and do have a spare(ish) laptop 9and on Saturday I should have Ken's Elijah cable ergo......................


SJB

[jkeny]

Sure, John but the constant tweaking that you witness on the CA section is purely self-imposed & voluntary - it's not needed except by fanatical nutters :)

[Sloop John B]

Sure, John but the constant tweaking that you witness on the CA section is purely self-imposed & voluntary - it's not needed except by fanatical nutters :)

and that's the point of this thread to demystify it to Joe Public like me but have some input from the aforementioned fanatical nutters.


SJB

[nige2000]

Sure, John but the constant tweaking that you witness on the CA section is purely self-imposed & voluntary - it's not needed except by fanatical nutters :)

the art is to start out with something easy and convenient then make it as complicated and difficult as possible
its just the way!!

all joking aside
there is relatively easy ways to have decent CA,

safest way is to use a usb3 stick with your OS (win server 2012 r2 std with gui) on it
on booting your laptop F2 F12 etc etc select boot from usb
os boots and you still have access to your laptop hard drive as music storage

if you like you can get one of these send it to me and i can do the necessaries and send it back

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/SanDisk-16GB-Cru ... 5afef9cbb7