Author Topic: Music question (Read 4258 times)

NeilT · « **on:** September 29, 2012, 09:54:02 am »

I've been told that I should set up a dedicated computer or a hard drive or some damn thing to play music through the stereo instead of having walls full of CDs. Has anyone done it? What did you use, software and hardware?

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #1 on:** September 29, 2012, 12:32:20 pm »

I have two words for you: I Pod

NeilT · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2012, 01:10:16 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on September 29, 2012, 12:32:20 pm

I have two words for you: I Pod

An iPod doesn't sound as good as a cd. I want something as easy as an iPod without the lost data.

hostros7 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 29, 2012, 01:56:40 pm »

Quote from: NeilT on September 29, 2012, 09:54:02 am

I've been told that I should set up a dedicated computer or a hard drive or some damn thing to play music through the stereo instead of having walls full of CDs. Has anyone done it? What did you use, software and hardware?

So, I haven't done this, but can't you just use spotify on your computer which is then wired to speaker? May be the same quality as iPod, however

subnuclear · « **Reply #4 on:** September 29, 2012, 02:36:16 pm »

Is the problem the connection from the iPod or the file type? I use a FLAC player on my iPhone and it sounds pretty good, but I'm not as sensitive as others.

I copied Waldo and got a Mac Mini which has a digital out (which you can feed into a receiver if you have I one) There is probably a cheaper way to do that, but I don't know what it is.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #5 on:** September 29, 2012, 03:49:57 pm »

Quote from: NeilT on September 29, 2012, 01:10:16 pm

An iPod doesn't sound as good as a cd. I want something as easy as an iPod without the lost data.

Perhaps I misunderstand then. I thought you were looking for an alternative to keeping a wall full of CDs. Furthermore, the digital file on your iPod is the same one as is on your computer. The sound at that point is a function of the listening device, not the storage device.

NeilT · « **Reply #6 on:** September 29, 2012, 04:03:31 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on September 29, 2012, 03:49:57 pm

Perhaps I misunderstand then. I thought you were looking for an alternative to keeping a wall full of CDs. Furthermore, the digital file on your iPod is the same one as is on your computer. The sound at that point is a function of the listening device, not the storage device.

There's a difference in the amount of compression on an I Pod and what you can get on other systems with more memory. The goal is to have Apple Lossless or similar compression, which takes up more space, not MP3 compression, but to be able manage stuff as easily as it's managed on the IPod, and be able to play it through the home stereo. I use IPod's all the time, but I won't that ease with higher sound quality.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #7 on:** September 29, 2012, 04:11:22 pm »

Quote from: NeilT on September 29, 2012, 04:03:31 pm

There's a difference in the amount of compression on an I Pod and what you can get on other systems with more memory. The goal is to have Apple Lossless or similar compression, which takes up more space, not MP3 compression, but to be able manage stuff as easily as it's managed on the IPod, and be able to play it through the home stereo. I use IPod's all the time, but I won't that ease with higher sound quality.

In other words, you want taste great *and* less filling.

Btw, you realize that an iPod uses Apple Lossless compression, not MP3, right?

subnuclear · « **Reply #8 on:** September 29, 2012, 04:23:20 pm »

This looks interesting. It will allow you to hook up your iPod/iPad through a digital audio out. No experience with it though.
http://www.pure.com/products/product.asp?Product=VL-61429

NeilT · « **Reply #9 on:** September 29, 2012, 04:35:01 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on September 29, 2012, 04:11:22 pm

In other words, you want taste great *and* less filling.

Btw, you realize that an iPod uses Apple Lossless compression, not MP3, right?

My understanding is that it will support Lossless, but the default is MP3, and Lossless eats up the disk space pretty quickly. That may be dated info though:

http://www.macworld.com/article/1039226/itunesencodepl.html

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #10 on:** September 29, 2012, 04:41:35 pm »

Quote from: NeilT on September 29, 2012, 04:35:01 pm

My understanding is that it will support Lossless, but the default is MP3, and Lossless eats up the disk space pretty quickly. That may be dated info though:

http://www.macworld.com/article/1039226/itunesencodepl.html

Lossless is the default. At least I have it set up that way. Of course iPod will play MP3, if that's what you want. And Apple Lossless takes up about half the space of MP3.

NeilT · « **Reply #11 on:** September 29, 2012, 04:42:43 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on September 29, 2012, 04:41:35 pm

Lossless is the default. At least I have it set up that way. Of course iPod will play MP3, if that's what you want. And Apple Lossless takes up about half the space of MP3.

Well that's interesting.

subnuclear · « **Reply #12 on:** September 29, 2012, 04:46:06 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on September 29, 2012, 04:41:35 pm

Lossless is the default. At least I have it set up that way. Of course iPod will play MP3, if that's what you want. And Apple Lossless takes up about half the space of MP3.

The default from iTunes is AAC. You can change it to Apple Lossless, but no way its smaller than MP3.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #13 on:** September 29, 2012, 04:58:08 pm »

Quote from: subnuclear link=topic=114975.msg450708#msg450708e date=1348955166

The default from iTunes is AAC. You can change it to Apple Lossless, but no way its smaller than MP3.

Mine defaults to lossless, but I guess thats the way I have it set. As for space, I'll have to check mine specifically though everything I read clearly claim Apple Lossless take up less space. A any rate, I've ripped about 800 CDs and there's no problems with space on my iPod.

On a side note, I once read an article by a physics nerd like yourself. He used all sorts of fancy equipment to test the various codes. His conclusion was there was no difference in the various lossless file types, and if you hear a difference, it's your player, not your files. Of course, some hardcore audiophiles will likely scoff at that idea.

NeilT · « **Reply #14 on:** September 29, 2012, 05:05:33 pm »

I checked my ITunes, and it was set to rip in AAC. I should have set it to Lossless long ago. I do understand that event if you rip in lossless, the file may be compressed to AAC when it transfers to the IPod unless you specifically set it not to.

subnuclear · « **Reply #15 on:** September 29, 2012, 06:24:16 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on September 29, 2012, 04:58:08 pm

On a side note, I once read an article by a physics nerd like yourself. He used all sorts of fancy equipment to test the various codes. His conclusion was there was no difference in the various lossless file types, and if you hear a difference, it's your player, not your files. Of course, some hardcore audiophiles will likely scoff at that idea.

Is there an MP3 lossless format? I agree with the nerds that FLACs and Apple Lossless would sound identical to .wav files. I'm pretty sure that most music-lovers couldn't tell the difference of a 192 kHz compressed file from a lossless one in a blind test. I started using FLACs because it seemed like a safe-route in case I had $100,000 to set up a listening room (then I would probably insist on listening to heavyweight vinyl only).

NeilT · « **Reply #16 on:** September 29, 2012, 06:28:04 pm »

Quote from: subnuclear on September 29, 2012, 06:24:16 pm

Is there an MP3 lossless format? I agree with the nerds that FLACs and Apple Lossless would sound identical to .wav files. I'm pretty sure that most music-lovers couldn't tell the difference of a 192 kHz compressed file from a lossless one in a blind test. I started using FLACs because it seemed like a safe-route in case I had $100,000 to set up a listening room (then I would probably insist on listening to heavyweight vinyl only).

If I understand it correctly, no. AAC and MP3 are essentially the same; the compress files in part by excluding some of the perhaps unnecessary information. They are lossy formats. FLAC and Apple Lossless are essentially the same, but differ from .wav files by compressing the information, like zip files. At least I think FLAC compresses.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #17 on:** September 29, 2012, 06:41:43 pm »

Quote from: subnuclear on September 29, 2012, 06:24:16 pm

Is there an MP3 lossless format?

I don't think so. I think by definition MP3 is a lossy format. Though I suppose you can set the bit rate to where it gets pretty close, if you don't mind a humongous file.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #18 on:** September 29, 2012, 06:45:42 pm »

Quote from: subnuclear on September 29, 2012, 06:24:16 pm

I started using FLACs because it seemed like a safe-route in case I had $100,000 to set up a listening room (then I would probably insist on listening to heavyweight vinyl only).

I'd insist on a 15 in/s reel to reel.

Craig · « **Reply #19 on:** September 29, 2012, 07:51:01 pm »

Quote from: NeilT on September 29, 2012, 09:54:02 am

I've been told that I should set up a dedicated computer or a hard drive or some damn thing to play music through the stereo instead of having walls full of CDs. Has anyone done it? What did you use, software and hardware?

I'm not an audiophile because my hearing is pretty much wrecked, so I'm sure there's something terribly wrong with this method, but I just use the PS3 that's hooked to my home theater system. You can play CDs on it or, store them on the hard drive, or stream from a networked PC.

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #20 on:** September 29, 2012, 09:54:37 pm »

Good time for this question. I need to get my CDs to digital format, but no way I am going to spend the time necessary to rip them myself. Two questions: (1) anyone have experience with any of the ripping services; (2) what file format should I have them ripped to?

I was researching is today, and saw a couple of potential services to use, including: Ripshark; and Music Shifter. Thoughts on either of these, or a different recommendation? Thanks!

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #21 on:** September 29, 2012, 10:49:30 pm »

Quote from: OregonStrosFan on September 29, 2012, 09:54:37 pm

Good time for this question. I need to get my CDs to digital format, but no way I am going to spend the time necessary to rip them myself. Two questions: (1) anyone have experience with any of the ripping services; (2) what file format should I have them ripped to?

I was researching is today, and saw a couple of potential services to use, including: Ripshark; and Music Shifter. Thoughts on either of these, or a different recommendation? Thanks!

Don't have any experience with ripping services. I did all of mine myself. It wasnt that bad really. Did 10 CDs or so a night when I had time. It took a couple of months, but I eventually got there.

As for file format, couple of questions to ask yourself. The most important is what type of playback device will you be using. The aforementioned Apple Lossless is good, but is specific to Apple devices. MP3 is pretty much universal. Apple will play MP3, but not the other way aound. Secondly, how keenly will you be listening for the subtle differences in audio quality? If you're a "sounds good to me" kind of guy, MP3 may work fine for you. You can convert lossless format, such as Apple, to MP3 at a later date, but not the reverse. Were it me, I'd go with a lossless format, and since I'm an iPod kind of guy, the Apple Lossless works well for me.

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #22 on:** September 30, 2012, 01:01:11 pm »

Quote from: HudsonHawk on September 29, 2012, 10:49:30 pm

Don't have any experience with ripping services. I did all of mine myself. It wasnt that bad really. Did 10 CDs or so a night when I had time. It took a couple of months, but I eventually got there.

As for file format, couple of questions to ask yourself. The most important is what type of playback device will you be using. The aforementioned Apple Lossless is good, but is specific to Apple devices. MP3 is pretty much universal. Apple will play MP3, but not the other way aound. Secondly, how keenly will you be listening for the subtle differences in audio quality? If you're a "sounds good to me" kind of guy, MP3 may work fine for you. You can convert lossless format, such as Apple, to MP3 at a later date, but not the reverse. Were it me, I'd go with a lossless format, and since I'm an iPod kind of guy, the Apple Lossless works well for me.

Thanks HH! Yeah, been doing the whole 'rip it myself' thing for about a year now. Given that I've completed about 10 so far, gonna just bite the bullet and pay to have it done. As for formats, I'm a 'sounds good to me' type listener, hence mp3 is fine for now. However... Format is more of a question of what I'll want/need/wish I'd done later consideration in my mind, so will probably go lossless. And since I'm currently pissed at Apple, it'll probably be FLAC. Any probs with FLAC over Apple lossless?

subnuclear · « **Reply #23 on:** September 30, 2012, 01:23:08 pm »

The apple music player won't play FLACs, but there are apps that do, so its a little more complicated.

Trey · « **Reply #24 on:** September 30, 2012, 07:35:10 pm »

I'm not about to comment on the best way to rip, but once you have it ripped, I recommend and AppleTV or AirportExpress. It connects wirelessly to your PC/Mac/Iphone/Anything-with-itunes-and-a-wireless-connection and lets you stream from there. If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch you can control it from throughout the house.

Outlawscotty · « **Reply #25 on:** October 01, 2012, 06:23:21 am »

Just got a Marantz SR5007 that has AirPlay and can also stream from iDevices and Windows Media player. The whole device can be controlled by the iPhone.

NeilT · « **Reply #26 on:** October 01, 2012, 10:38:23 am »

Quote from: Outlawscotty on October 01, 2012, 06:23:21 am

Just got a Marantz SR5007 that has AirPlay and can also stream from iDevices and Windows Media player. The whole device can be controlled by the iPhone.

Sweet.

NeilT · « **Reply #27 on:** October 06, 2012, 08:26:15 pm »

Here's what I ended up doing. I bought four things, an Apple Airport Extreme, an Apple Airport Express, A digital audio optical cable, and a 3 TB GDrive. Apple is very smart, and very annoying, because the Express ($99) will hook up to my stereo receiver, but will not hook up to the hard drive. The Extreme will not hook up to the stereo, but will hook up to the hard drive. I can use both to extend my existing wifi network, so that's ok, but I could do without the Extreme if I hooked the hard drive into my computer instead of through the wifi. Like I said, I can use the wifi extension anyway.

There is one really cool thing about the Express. It has a mini plug output, like the headphone jack on an IPhone, but is can work as a digital output if you buy the right cable and your receiver can accept a optical digital input. If it can't, you can use a standard mini to RCA plugs splitter.

I can now control what plays through the stereo with my IPhone. Sweet. And it sounds terrific.