Looking to move from CD to streaming - not a clue which way to go

[admin_exported]

Hi

Hope some folks can give me some advice. I am looking to move away from playing cd's and archiving my music on hard disk.

Objectives are:-

1) Avoid compression formats

2) retain existing Audiolab 8000DAC since t looks after sound from SKY HD, PS3 etc (assuming it is still up to the job or there are other options, eg 24bit?

3) Control music from my iTouch

4) A machine which has a built in CD drive to transfer music.

of course if my ignorance means I have missed a worthwhile option, then please suggest.

So what bits of kit should I be looking at.

thanks

 

[Anonymous]

ps

other components are Audiolab 8000C, 2 x 8000M to Proac Studio 140's

 

[chebby]

An Apple iMac (with built-in 1TB HD) an Airport Express, and an Onkyo ND-S1 iPod transport for your iPod touch.

 

[Anonymous]

Initially just try using your PC/Mac ,with a decent USB to s/pdif converter. Macs are bit perfect but XP on Windows isn't, which operating system are you using?
Keith.

 

[amcluesent]

>A machine which has a built in CD drive to transfer music...So what bits of kit should I be looking at.<

Vortexbox Music Appliance

Naim UnitiServe

Olive 3HD (that would connect direct to your amp)

If you were willing to go with a standalone streamer, you'd significantly increase choice from Squeezebox, Sonos, Yamaha, Marantz, Linn, Cyrus (eventually 😉) etc.

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/focus/listening-wirelessly

 

[Anonymous]

using an existing laptop is not really an option, as my laptop is a it old, but does everything else well enough. Am not keen on buying an i-mac only for music use.

I'll look into the other options

 

[Craig M.]

use a mac mini. optical into the dac. works brilliantly. if you need to do something with it that requires a screen, just plug into the tv. i use screen sharing to access it from my laptop if i ever need to and my itouch the rest of the time.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Craig! God to hear someone else uses this. Have just been checking that out, but could not see any optical ports on the Mac Mini. Only USB, ethernet and HDMI