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Re: Lossless CD digital media storage ideas??
michael_d #214989 07/11/08 06:22 PM
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I use several methods to store and "stream" music throughout the house.
For storage I have a Sony 400 disk SACD/DVD player and an HP Home Server (MS Home Server software) with 3TB storage. I also use the server for back-ups and television capture storage.

For distribution I use a cat5 based system (A-Bus) that allows 4 sources to be streamed to up to 8 locations. There is a lot of wiring involved in this method but it is quite dependable.

For Source material I rely on the SACD player, television (digital music channels), receiver and XBox360.

I also subscribe to Rhapsody so I have an almost unlimited selection of music that is perfectly acceptable quality at ambient (background, if you wish) listening levels. This is stored on the server as well and the XBox (with Media Center) handles the DRM without overloading the internet connection.

I don't know if this helps your situation, but it has yet to fail me. Besides, with 3TB, music storage is but a blip on overall load.

Re: Lossless CD digital media storage ideas??
Lohengrin #214996 07/11/08 07:21 PM
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Tell me about your cat5 system. That was my initial idea when I built the house. I have cat5 and speaker wire ran to four locations that are all home ran back to my office. When I built the house, I was going to use ceiling speakers in the four zones and use a multi source / multi zone amp. After I heard ceiling speakers and was dismally disappointed, I just ditched the idea. I can still use the wiring if needed though.

Re: Lossless CD digital media storage ideas??
michael_d #215006 07/11/08 10:45 PM
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Here is a link to the system I have:

http://www.home-technology-store.com/home-audio/H4-AU1002-KIT.aspx

There is also a schematic lower on that page showing how it all fits together.

Re: Lossless CD digital media storage ideas??
Lohengrin #215257 07/14/08 10:07 PM
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Well, Mike, how about if YOU buy it, and I'll test it for you? \:\)

Your main problem is that you just don't want to spend the time to rip all your disks. After you rip everything to FLAC, the rest of the scenario is cake with many options.

So, just get over it. Use Exact Audio Copy, rip everything to FLAC, clean up your library, and be done with it. Or pay somebody to do it. Time and money.

I gave up on the Sony changer scenario after one of mine died. I still have the other one, but I basically never use it any more. I could never get the other members of the family to warm up to the Home Jukebox software.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: Lossless CD digital media storage ideas??
tomtuttle #215258 07/14/08 10:18 PM
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I know..... I just need to rip all of them and move into the 21st century……..

I've pretty much made up my mind to buy a HP media server and either Sonos or Squeeze. I might even pick up an external DAC for the magic streaming box.

Re: Lossless CD digital media storage ideas??
michael_d #215289 07/15/08 12:36 PM
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I've started ripping my discs here and there over the last two weeks at 320kbs MP3s for the compatibility. I've STILL not networked the eight computers here (Thank God for 8GB thumb drives) but will be ready for the XBox 360 or TiVo in the living room to play them down the road.

I was motivated into finally doing this because I'm suddenly using my portable MP3 player on any sort of regular basis for the first time. I only used it for flying and dentist appointments in the past, but now that I'm taking on lots of home improvement and woodworking projects of late, I've started using it all the time.

I'm afraid that if I went to something other than MP3, I'd lose compatibility with various disc players, car stereos, etc. that are ONLY MP3 compatible.

So far, so good. Though I'm only listening to bands that start with an "A" or a "B" so far! \:\)


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
Re: Lossless CD digital media storage ideas??
MarkSJohnson #215291 07/15/08 02:08 PM
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If you are going to put all that effort into ripping you may want to reconsider whether to go mp3 vs lossless. You can always convert lossless to mp3 but forget going the other way once you've compressed the files. The neat thing about iPods is that they play ALAC (Apple Lossless) files. Ripping using FLAC is another popular option though most players including iPod won't play them.


John
Re: Lossless CD digital media storage ideas??
jakeman #215294 07/15/08 03:36 PM
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I'm using a Sandisk player that I'm happy with. I guess I don't want to have to re-convert everything if my next car stereo plays MP3s only or the disc player I put in my workshop only plays MP3s.

I still have all the discs in their jewel cases right in the living room...


Aren't 320kps MP3s essentially considered as sounding as good as the original?


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
Re: Lossless CD digital media storage ideas??
MarkSJohnson #215295 07/15/08 03:55 PM
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Nice cd shelving. I've been looking for a good looking solution like you have.

On the 320mp3 vs. lossless debate, you'll hear both view but on transparent Axiom speakers I hear the difference. I've got a TB hard drive of mainly ALAC files with about 40GB of 320mp3s. Its subtle but when I play an ALAC and 320mp3 of the same tune over my Audiobytes I can hear the difference...just a bit more resolution in the lossless file. For listening over a portable player it may not matter but if you ever decide to get into digital steaming into your main gear there is a good chance you will hear a difference.


John
Re: Lossless CD digital media storage ideas??
jakeman #215301 07/15/08 04:29 PM
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 Quote:
I've STILL not networked the eight computers here


Just...wow.

Somebody needs a geekervention.

I'm sure there are any number of us that would do it for expenses.

Then, we can take all your computers to Alaska to rip Mike's collection.


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