Lossless music via Western Digital TV

[admin_exported]

Hi all,

I'm looking rip all of my music to a hard disk in FLAC format, I am looking for as simple a solution as possible which will enable me to play the FLAC files from a hard disk to my Hi-Fi. I have been looking at various systems including Sonos and Squeeze Boxes but all involve streaming which is just a faff because it will require a computer being turned on!

The other option I have been considering is using a CA Dacmagic and connecting that to a Western Digital TV via the optical connection. I was wondering whether or not this is a viable option keeping in mind I want maximum sound quality? Would it sound better than my Arcam CD73 spinner?

All opinions/alternatives welcome.

Thanks very much.

 

[Ajani]

The WDTV connected to the DM should be a good option (assuming the DM has good jitter rejection, as I'm not sure how much jitter is present in the optical output of the WDTV)...

Another option is to wait a little longer for the release of the Squeezebox Touch. It allows you to connect a USB Hard Drive to it (just like the WDTV)...

 

[Anonymous]

Get sonos and put your music on a NAS and you wont have to have the pc on. I am going to order one soon and use my ipod touch as a remote.

I currently have a WD HDTV box and it only supports mp3 up to 320kb/s (unless they have updated it within the last few weeks) The dac in the box is _rubbish_ and its slow. I gave up using it for music, but for movies its ok. You also need to have the tv on to listen to music because you need the screen to navigate with. Save yourself alot of grief and stay clear of the WD for music.

Sonos + a NAS drive works just sooooo great. Ive seen it, used it and love it for its simpicity and sound quality even without adding an external dac to it.

 

[kinda]

The Sonos doesn't need a computer to be on. If you've got the files on a NAS it will be able index and play them by itself.

It also has decent DACs built in, (though probably not as good as a DacMagic), plsu it will do mutli-roon stuff if you wanted to later.

I used to play FLAC via digital coax from an XBox, and have found the Sonos to be a big improvement via the same connection.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

spooks1982:
Hi all,

I'm looking rip all of my music to a hard disk in FLAC format, I am looking for as simple a solution as possible which will enable me to play the FLAC files from a hard disk to my Hi-Fi. I have been looking at various systems including Sonos and Squeeze Boxes but all involve streaming which is just a faff because it will require a computer being turned on!

The other option I have been considering is using a CA Dacmagic and connecting that to a Western Digital TV via the optical connection. I was wondering whether or not this is a viable option keeping in mind I want maximum sound quality? Would it sound better than my Arcam CD73 spinner?

All opinions/alternatives welcome.

Thanks very much.

I use the Linksys DMA2100 media center extender. WHF recently reviewed the DMA2200 which is the same format but adds a dvd player to the mix, and it was slammed. My Linksys works perfectly and the sound is superb. I have an N router in my bedroom with my pc and I stream music (I use WMA Lossless), films and pictures downstairs. My screen hooks up to the tiny Linksys box on my rack with HDMI (also has component) and I have coaxial (could use usb) going to my DacMagic. I get my media center on my screen and then just scroll through my library to access the music. The Linksys can be bought for under £100 these days.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Linksys-DMA2100-Dual-Band-Wireless-N-Extender/dp/B000YL94CU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1254923697&sr=8-1

 

[manicm]

Ajani:

The WDTV connected to the DM should be a good option (assuming the DM has good jitter rejection, as I'm not sure how much jitter is present in the optical output of the WDTV)...

Another option is to wait a little longer for the release of the Squeezebox Touch. It allows you to connect a USB Hard Drive to it (just like the WDTV)...

The Squeezebox Touch looks very tasty indeed, and is released in Dec. The USB is only for sticks though, but it will natively support NASs - so no PC required at long last. It also supports 24/96khz files so those hi-res downloads can now be played in all their glory.

Nice indeed.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies guys, I like the sound of the Squeeze Box - just checked it out on the Logitech site and it looks like it fits my requirements quite nicely.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

spooks1982:Thanks for the replies guys, I like the sound of the Squeeze Box - just checked it out on the Logitech site and it looks like it fits my requirements quite nicely.

Squeezebox not wireless N. That's a bit stingy. My Linksys is a couple of years old and has wireless N.

 

[matthewpiano]

The idea of a Squeezebox with easy NAS support is very appealing. I think I might be very interested myself.

 

[chebby]

This looks a nicer solution.

MP3 can be switched off and CDs stored as FLAC

 

[Anonymous]

Well to be honest unless you are running a your Wireless LAN on a 5GHz frequency as opposed to the standard 2.4Ghz you will never get N speeds. 54mps is ample for streaming music anyway.

Also, just checked Logitech's site and it does actually support USB Hard Drives as well as memory sticks...

Just going back to my original question somewhat, do you think the CA Dacmagic will outperform an Arcam CD73T when used with Flac files?

 

[Gerrardasnails]

spooks1982:
Well to be honest unless you are running a your Wireless LAN on a 5GHz frequency as opposed to the standard 2.4Ghz you will never get N speeds. 54mps is ample for streaming music anyway.

Also, just checked Logitech's site and it does actually support USB Hard Drives as well as memory sticks...

Just going back to my original question somewhat, do you think the CA Dacmagic will outperform an Arcam CD73T when used with Flac files?

I have to say, since I changed my G router to an N router, navigating my system has become much quicker and I've not had one drop out (before I would get one every other week).

Yes, DacMagic with FLAC will floor your CD73 in my opinion.

 

[manicm]

chebby:

This looks a nicer solution.

MP3 can be switched off and CDs stored as FLAC

Nice, but nope, does not do flac.

 

[manicm]

spooks1982:

Well to be honest unless you are running a your Wireless LAN on a 5GHz frequency as opposed to the standard 2.4Ghz you will never get N speeds. 54mps is ample for streaming music anyway.

Also, just checked Logitech's site and it does actually support USB Hard Drives as well as memory sticks...

Just going back to my original question somewhat, do you think the CA Dacmagic will outperform an Arcam CD73T when used with Flac files?

Also went to Logitech's site and for the Touch its USB port is primarily for sticks, it also has a SD slot methinks, I don't think it will handle USB HDDs very well if at all - like most such devices.

 

[chebby]

manicm:
Nice, but nope, does not do flac.

Yes you are correct. I mis-read the item on their website....

"If you load a CD with compression turned off it will not be MP3 compressed but it will use more space on the disk.

This is lossless storage of the original CD but it is not compressed
so it is not a lossless compression like FLAC - its just an exact copy
of the CD."

So totally un-compressed copy of the CD and not FLAC.

Lossless anyway.

 

[Anonymous]

manicm:spooks1982:

Well to be honest unless you are running a your Wireless LAN on a 5GHz frequency as opposed to the standard 2.4Ghz you will never get N speeds. 54mps is ample for streaming music anyway.

Also, just checked Logitech's site and it does actually support USB Hard Drives as well as memory sticks...

Just going back to my original question somewhat, do you think the CA Dacmagic will outperform an Arcam CD73T when used with Flac files?

Also went to Logitech's site and for the Touch its USB port is primarily for sticks, it also has a SD slot methinks, I don't think it will handle USB HDDs very well if at all - like most such devices.

Technical Specifications
General

• USB host connector for accessing music and photos via USB drive or USB key
• SD card slot for music and photos
• Supports sampling rates up to 24 bit / 96 kHz
• Stereo analog (RCA), headphone jack, digital optical, and digital coax output
• 4.3-inch 24-bit color LCD with capacitive touch screen
• Ambient light sensor to adjust display brightness according to environment
• Infrared proximity sensor to detect presence

I guess it's down to the wording, to me that means USB hard drive.... not sure why they would repeat themselves by essentially listing the same device twice.

Hope it does support a hard disk - not sure why it wouldn't as there is no difference between a hard disk and a pen drive (apart from one being mechanical and the other being solid state). It's all down to the file system it uses.

 

[manicm]

chebby:manicm:

Nice, but nope, does not do flac.

Yes you are correct. I mis-read the item on their website....

"If you load a CD with compression turned off it will not be MP3 compressed but it will use more space on the disk.

This is lossless storage of the original CD but it is not compressed so it is not a lossless compression like FLAC - its just an exact copy of the CD."

So totally un-compressed copy of the CD and not FLAC.

Lossless anyway.

guilty as charged m'lord