I need help troubleshooting my home audio system, please.
- Thread starter JDBarrow
- Start date
A hardware device like a streamer eliminates your having to run software from your PC. You would only use your PC to share a folder (your music library) to a network that the streamer can access.
If you have a NAS (which it does not sound like you do) you can bypass the PC altogether and have the streamer access the NAS share (your music library) directly.
Nikhil
Member
Just adding to what nicoff has suggested,
WiiM Pro - https://www.wiimhome.com/wiimpro/overview
This is a dedicated streamer that is a built in computer running a dedicated OS that allows you to stream directly to your Receiver without the need to do anything with your Gaming PC. You can use your phone to control playback via an app. Your gaming PC can also be used to control playback and host your media.
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WiiM Pro - https://www.wiimhome.com/wiimpro/overview
This is a dedicated streamer that is a built in computer running a dedicated OS that allows you to stream directly to your Receiver without the need to do anything with your Gaming PC. You can use your phone to control playback via an app. Your gaming PC can also be used to control playback and host your media.
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A can buy a streamer for less than $150. You can even build one for less than $100. Hardly rich folk territory.
JDBarrow
Member
- Thread Author
- #26
I wish they had a standalone audio file player device. Instead of a cassette deck, you simply play MP3's. An integrated graphic equalizer with memory presets would even be sweeter. Imagine custom equalizer settings for each and every music track! Or adaptive learning equalizer that optimizes settings automatically based on your listening habits.
I think there is such a thing already. It is called Spotify.
First you buy a streamer (physical hardware like the Wiim streamer) that comes with Spotify-Connect.
Then you use Spotify. It is very simple to use and no need for PC or Jplay. It will do everything on your list.
crwilli
Active member
It seems you want simple so folks are suggesting a purpose built streamer/server.
You can do all you want with a PC but you need to deal with its quirks, the needs of the software you use and insuring things are configured correctly.
If you want to use a PC, use a PC.
Many of us started there and gravitated to purpose built streamers/servers for sound quality and ease of use.
There are dozens and dozens of ways to skin this cat.
You can do all you want with a PC but you need to deal with its quirks, the needs of the software you use and insuring things are configured correctly.
If you want to use a PC, use a PC.
Many of us started there and gravitated to purpose built streamers/servers for sound quality and ease of use.
There are dozens and dozens of ways to skin this cat.
JDBarrow
Member
- Thread Author
- #32
Very well, I will sleep on the possibility of a future streamer for now. I will have to try to figure out where to put the damn thing on my entertainment rack.
I did a little research on YouTube, "Do I need a streamer?"
<iframe width="997" height="561" src="" title="Do I need a music streamer?" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
DAC stands for digital-to-analog converter. Doesn't the Windows motherboard do that already with the line-out jack?
I did a little research on YouTube, "Do I need a streamer?"
<iframe width="997" height="561" src="" title="Do I need a music streamer?" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
DAC stands for digital-to-analog converter. Doesn't the Windows motherboard do that already with the line-out jack?
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NewAlkyogre
Active member
Interesting that Paul McGowan says a mac mini is fine for audio. I don't agree with him. A mac mini is still a plastic streamer, with a normal consumer power supply. In my opinion my nuc build in my fanless case with my LPS does play far more better then a mac mini. Moreover I hear a clearly better sound between those power supplies and cannot agree with Paul.
JDBarrow
Member
- Thread Author
- #35
What I'm going to do (when I get my upgraded PC built sometimes before Halloween) is try first is one or more various software for PC first and see if my EARS even like it. Media Monkey might even be for free. JRiver is paid stuff. My upgraded PC build will also feature Window 11 Home. It could be that some computer software acts like "virtual" streamers at least in sound quality overall. Not allowing the operating system's engine to process the sound.
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NewAlkyogre
Active member
You don’t make it with different software. Qobuz = Qobuz and Tidal = Tidal, no matter what software you use to build a skin around it. It can upsample a bit, but that impact is small.
It is the hardware that makes the big differences in sound quality.
It is the hardware that makes the big differences in sound quality.
JDBarrow
Member
- Thread Author
- #37
The same is true with physical computers vs virtual machines. Virtual machines are no substitute for the real deal, hardware, that which can see with your own eyes, touch with your own hands and smell the soldering flux with your own nose. People and companies install virtual machines to cheap out. Hardware costs both money and physical space. Hardware takes more muscle, sweat, busted knuckles and brains to install and maintain. Hardware consumes electricity. Hardware might even look clunky to the human eye and not fit in with home décor well.
Beautifully-reproduced music is in the ear of each and every individual beholder. Some human ears can tolerate digital music from a PC source while others simply cannot do so. Incidentally, my digital music sounds pretty damned good through my Bluetooth headset. How it sounds through my car speakers or my home stereo speakers might be another horse of another color. My portable Sony boombox doesn't sound half shabby with digital music.
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No Quarter
Member
If all you listen to is MP3’s, you are not even listening at the quality the music was made. Sounds like there is no convincing you that there is better sound available to you. Have fun with your gaming computer.
NewAlkyogre
Active member
I prefer a high quality source and sadly my phone in combination with bluetooth isn’t one of them. Was it that simple, then a good source was the device everyone already has.
Off topic: never ever smell solder flux, please buy a solder fan, and protect your breathing wearing a mask. The flux contains heavy metals: especially lead is poisonous and causing cancer. It work like this: it will be absorbed in the body, goes to the bones and the half way break down time is 30 years. From there it functions as catalyst causing cancer cells.
Off topic: never ever smell solder flux, please buy a solder fan, and protect your breathing wearing a mask. The flux contains heavy metals: especially lead is poisonous and causing cancer. It work like this: it will be absorbed in the body, goes to the bones and the half way break down time is 30 years. From there it functions as catalyst causing cancer cells.
Jack
Active member
A WiiM Pro for $219 is 5.5 inches square and 1.5 inches tall and will fit in the palm of your hand. How hard is that to place on a rack?. Seems like you just want to argue and not really get help.