What else do I need?

B

bluegrassphile

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Some of you know I'm putting together a new high end audio system. Let's say I've already chosen an amp, cables/interconnects, and speakers. I know very little about basic computer stuff, bits, bytes, etc. And I know even less about the digital end of home audio.

I know I'll need a DAC to enable streaming and other digital functions. Are there any other components I'll need? My main sources will be streaming and listening to ripped CDs (I have about a thousand of them). A TT could be in the future but for now my sources will be digital. What else do I need?
 
Something like a Lumin is an all in one DAC/Streamer. A rack. Lots of music.


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If you end up choosing the Hegel 590 then you will only need a rack unless you haven't bought the speaker stands. If you choose another integrated then the Lumin.
 
Sweet!! I already have speaker stands. Doesn't sound like I need much more. I'll need a set of headphones for quiet listening while the wife is reading her Kindle or watching TV in the "listening room." I'll also need a headphone amp if the main amp doesn't have a headphone amp. Looks like I'm all set except for an amp, headphones/amp, DAC, and streamer.
So, that's it for digital stuff? Not as bad as I thought.

I might look into Roon a little more. Not sure what all it does...stores digital stuff? Streaming device?


Tom
 
When you come down I can show you Roon, the Roon Nucleus, etc.


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It is a matter of perspective and what works for you. Mike is a good guy and will lead you in the right direction.

One other thing to consider; if you get an all in one unit if one goes bad then you will be replacing the whole thing. If you use a separate computer, which is what I choose to do, and a DAC and one goes bad only one has to be replaced. In a perfect world this is not a consideration, but in the real world it is.

I have computers by what could be argued and many would agree are the best built computers in the world. Yet my computer music server just went bad. It happens. So I am replacing the computer and rebuilding the server from a highly customized machine in the first place. My DAC will remain and will be back in operation as soon as the new server is. Of course a new DAC is not needed.
 
Randy Myers said:
It is a matter of perspective and what works for you. Mike is a good guy and will lead you in the right direction.

One other thing to consider; if you get an all in one unit if one goes bad then you will be replacing the whole thing. If you use a separate computer, which is what I choose to do, and a DAC and one goes bad only one has to be replaced. In a perfect world this is not a consideration, but in the real world it is.

I have computers by what could be argued and many would agree are the best built computers in the world. Yet my computer music server just went bad. It happens. So I am replacing the computer and rebuilding the server from a highly customized machine in the first place. My DAC will remain and will be back in operation as soon as the new server is. Of course a new DAC is not needed.
Click to expand...

So what are the best built computers in the world?
 
mep said:
Build quality is not the same as cutting edge technology components used to build computers. Even if you want to conflate the two, bragging rights for having the latest and greatest components in a new computer you just purchased doesn't last very long before they are superseded.
Click to expand...
I was just being as snarky as yourself :)
 
If you are handy and know about computers, you can build a SOTA music computer as I did. You can build one for about $1500-2000 without a graphics card because it is not needed. I built mine for about $1K, bought all the parts on pre-christmas sales mostly from Microcenter.
 
Well, as always it is a matter of opinion; however very few true computer people will not agree that Falcon Northwest is at or near to the top of the heap. They are the original custom computer manufacture from way back in 1992. Yes they are known for gaming machines, but they also custom build machines for other purposes as well.

And yes, I realize you can buy parts and build yourself for a bit less; this is true and I have in the past. However I say, without reservation, that no single company has more access to both the newest and also the best hand picked parts. I know that the grade of the parts they get is always the top and better then I can purchase myself (all parts, even same brand and model are not always the same). Also the custom cases that they design and manufacture are in a league of their own.

When you started an industry, and 27 years later continue to be considered the cutting edge, you usually have a leg up on the companies that come afterwards. This is true in most industries out there.

Anyway, that is my answer to your question. I consider Falcon Northwest to be the best of the best in all things personal computers.

https://www.falcon-nw.com/
 
Mechnutt said:
If you are handy and know about computers, you can build a SOTA music computer as I did. You can build one for about $1500-2000 without a graphics card because it is not needed. I built mine for about $1K, bought all the parts on pre-christmas sales mostly from Microcenter.
Click to expand...

There are $20k+ “computers” out there that look SOTA like the Sound Galleries.


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Mechnutt said:
If you are handy and know about computers, you can build a SOTA music computer as I did. You can build one for about $1500-2000 without a graphics card because it is not needed. I built mine for about $1K, bought all the parts on pre-christmas sales mostly from Microcenter.
Click to expand...

I’ve been building my own computers since the early 1990s.
 
Randy Myers said:
Well, as always it is a matter of opinion; however very few true computer people will not agree that Falcon Northwest is at or near to the top of the heap. They are the original custom computer manufacture from way back in 1992. Yes they are known for gaming machines, but they also custom build machines for other purposes as well.

And yes, I realize you can buy parts and build yourself for a bit less; this is true and I have in the past. However I say, without reservation, that no single company has more access to both the newest and also the best hand picked parts. I know that the grade of the parts they get is always the top and better then I can purchase myself (all parts, even same brand and model are not always the same). Also the custom cases that they design and manufacture are in a league of their own.

When you started an industry, and 27 years later continue to be considered the cutting edge, you usually have a leg up on the companies that come afterwards. This is true in most industries out there.

Anyway, that is my answer to your question. I consider Falcon Northwest to be the best of the best in all things personal computers.

https://www.falcon-nw.com/
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. Sorry your best built computer in the world broke.
 
As I said it happens.

Oh, it was several years old and served me very well. It is also the first Falcon we have had that has had an issue.... My wife and I both have Falcon DRX laptops now and I ordered a Talon to build into my new server. They are customizing it exactly as I want, including pre-wiring for my three SSD drives from the old one (along with the new 1 TB M.2 drive). That makes eleven machines now that they have built for my wife and I. Our kids are still enjoying our hand-me-downs!
 
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