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Post by Spike on Mar 22, 2015 14:54:32 GMT -5
Hello everyone,
I know that I am about to stick my foot in the proverbial bucket, but here goes! I have a medical and physical disability that limits what I can and can't do. For example, I used to own an Emotiva 5 channel amplifier. I loved the sound, yet, due to my physical limitations I can't move or install something that big. It weighs too much, and I move from house to house too much to have a "friend" help me install it. Yet, I still enjoy great sound. I currently own a Marantz receiver, Definitive Tech. StudioMonitor 65's for front L/R, ProMonior 800's for the rear, ProCenter 2000 Center Channel, and an HSU Subwoofer. I recently tried to upgrade my Marantz receiver, but am now going to wait until DTS:X announces what they are doing.
Having said that, here is where I really can use your help. I am interested in making my digital music sound better. I am looking at possibly adding a new mac mini to my home theater set up and connecting it to my receiver by way of an HDMI cable or whatever this forum would recommend. Now to the question. How do I make my digital downloaded audio sound not so empty. I have just started to order only Apple Lossless Audio files for music, and I want the full range of sound to come through without my computer limiting what I am hearing. This is one area of Audio Video that I really know very little about. Please, any helpful tips or direction would be very much appreciated. I have resources up to $2500, but don't want to spend all of it in this one area. There are other things that I also want to do. But, I need to be educated first. I'm all ears.
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Post by ncred02 on Mar 22, 2015 14:59:07 GMT -5
Im ears too. Im trying to get a media server via mac book going so please educate me as well.
Spike I have major back issues so I went with digital amps. 9lbs of musical bliss. Amps of the 100lb family are no longer an option for me either.
Good luck with the setup
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Post by Spike on Mar 22, 2015 15:05:23 GMT -5
Hey, Nice to meet you ncred02,
Which digital amp did you go with?
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Post by redog on Mar 22, 2015 15:07:24 GMT -5
The crown xls 1500 and above are amazing amps. Huge power, clean sonics, and only weigh about 9lbs each.
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Post by creimes on Mar 22, 2015 15:07:35 GMT -5
I use a Mac Mini using just iTunes and Audirvana in integrated mode or sometimes when wanting to use airplay I need to close Audirvana and use just iTunes, all my music is lossless and it works greta for me, I can even use my iPad or an iPhone to control playback via the Remote app.
Chad
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Post by ncred02 on Mar 22, 2015 15:08:43 GMT -5
Red Dragon M 500mkii. They pair well with a tube preamp
john
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Post by Spike on Mar 22, 2015 15:09:54 GMT -5
I use a Mac Mini using just iTunes and Audirvana in integrated mode or sometimes when wanting to use airplay I need to close Audirvana and use just iTunes, all my music is lossless and it works greta for me, I can even use my iPad or an iPhone to control playback via the Remote app. Chad Sweet! Are you hooked up by way of HDMI? |
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Post by ncred02 on Mar 22, 2015 15:10:12 GMT -5
The crown xls 1500 and above are amazing amps. Huge power, clean sonics, and only weigh about 9lbs each. The Crowns get good reviews. |
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Post by creimes on Mar 22, 2015 15:23:38 GMT -5
I use a Mac Mini using just iTunes and Audirvana in integrated mode or sometimes when wanting to use airplay I need to close Audirvana and use just iTunes, all my music is lossless and it works greta for me, I can even use my iPad or an iPhone to control playback via the Remote app. Chad Sweet! Are you hooked up by way of HDMI? Yuppers, HDMI to my PT-7030 |
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Post by Spike on Mar 22, 2015 15:36:37 GMT -5
Sweet! Are you hooked up by way of HDMI? Yuppers, HDMI to my PT-7030 May I ask? What is AUDIRVANA? |
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Post by creimes on Mar 22, 2015 15:41:59 GMT -5
A program that is does bit perfect and is supposed to make the audio processing better audirvana.com/ |
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Post by Loop 7 on Mar 22, 2015 17:56:04 GMT -5
Audirvana is great as is Pure Music but I prefer the sound of Amarra. Recommend trying all the add-ons and then buy.
Down the road, consider a USB DAC. I like Peachtree, Schiit and Emotiva.
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Post by Dark Ranger on Mar 22, 2015 21:26:48 GMT -5
A program that is does bit perfect and is supposed to make the audio processing better audirvana.com/#1 on Audirvana Plus. I've used it for about a year on my MacBook Pro. No issues, sounds great.  |
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Post by ncred02 on Mar 22, 2015 21:55:15 GMT -5
A program that is does bit perfect and is supposed to make the audio processing better audirvana.com/Im not hijacking, trust me. But with Audivarna can it allow me access to my external hard drive?. Can I access it and create play list from the HD? I'm a pc audio newbie. Thanks |
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Post by yioryos on Mar 22, 2015 22:02:16 GMT -5
Spike
To do this right,you need a mac mini,screen,wireless keyboard and wireless mouse.Now for a music player software you could use itunes that comes preloaded but most probably people prefer other players.
Here is my setup.Macmini i5 mid 2011,usb out to Emotiva Stealth DC-1 then from DC-1 RCA out to my preamp.
Music Player is JRiver MC20. 50 dollars to buy the software.
Music files are mostly flac.but also aiff and mp3 at 320 bitrate,about 1TB in external Lacie 3 Tb hard dive.
The macmini doesn't have build in cd drive so I do all my roping on my other mac upstairs, you can buy external cd drives.
HDMI Dacs are not very common .
Best
George
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Post by creimes on Mar 22, 2015 22:09:56 GMT -5
A program that is does bit perfect and is supposed to make the audio processing better audirvana.com/Im not hijacking, trust me. But with Audivarna can it allow me access to my external hard drive?. Can I access it and create play list from the HD? I'm a pc audio newbie. Thanks All my media is on a external 3TB drive, Audirvana is only for Mac though, Jriver will work on PC if I remember correctly |
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Post by novisnick on Mar 22, 2015 22:23:10 GMT -5
Im not hijacking, trust me. But with Audivarna can it allow me access to my external hard drive?. Can I access it and create play list from the HD? I'm a pc audio newbie. Thanks All my media is on a external 3TB drive, Audirvana is only for Mac though, Jriver will work on PC if I remember correctly Yep, JRivers is supported on both platforms. You can even purchase a universal license for both.  Edit: I use Jcontroll to run all my media through my AV system, audio, video,and pictures, really easy on my iPad. |
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Post by ncred02 on Mar 22, 2015 22:26:00 GMT -5
I have access to a mac book (2009- wifes) but will probably get a mac mini. What should I look for in a mini and what should I stay away from.? I have seen some used minis for $200
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Post by novisnick on Mar 22, 2015 22:49:36 GMT -5
I have access to a mac book (2009- wifes) but will probably get a mac mini. What should I look for in a mini and what should I stay away from.? I have seen some used minis for $200 Well, if your going to use it to copy your CDs to an external HDR I would make sure it has USB 3,  |
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Post by ncred02 on Mar 22, 2015 22:54:34 GMT -5
USB3?
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