In article , John R Leddy
wrote:
...Likewise, now I'm playing FLAC files I have a dedicated network audio
player. I did have a go at using the wife's laptop as a network audio
renderer into an external USB DAC. This was my first attempt at playing
FLAC files through my stereo. I decided instantly I wouldn't be
purchasing a dedicated laptop for the purpose, and proceeded to
investigate network audio players.

I wouldn't base a system on a laptop, either. But found it easy enough to
use a desktop box. Works fine. Like yourself, I adopted using flac. A
computer plus a decent USB DAC works nicely. No need for a 'network
player'. And no need to find that I eventually hit a problem with a new
filetype because a commercial 'network player' can't handle it.


It's just plain weird to still read on the web today how network audio
is somehow complicated requiring specialist attention. Call me a cynic,
but I guess there must be money passing hands somewhere. I'm no computer
expert but even I know it merely involves connecting a few components
together, no different from any other piece of hi-fi equipment, and I'm
an old codger to boot!

The problem is that it does require some savvy and some willingness to
experiment at first. MicroSoft and Apple profit from infantalising users.
And, alas, until recently UK schools have been lousy at teaching computing.
For decades 'IT' (under different names) at school has been 'training how
to use the current Windows (or Mac) main software for an office job'.
Hopefully the Raspberry Pi has changed that and we'll get the first new
generation since the 1980s who will know how to code and happy to DIY.

In addition, commercial closed-box-sellers want to sell you music
'management' setups. These can look attractive to those who are frightened
by anything 'technical'. And can extact more money from you than saying,
"Just try the software player XXX on your computer and buy a NAS".

But of course the closed box then can trap you into not knowing what's
going on. So you risk problems like finding your fancy player can't cope
with something, and any new player doesn't really understand how what you
had was 'organised', etc.


To me, it's not the cable which costs £7,000, it's becoming a member of
an elite which costs £7,000.

I noticed that BBC Music Magazine this month has its "Hi Fi Expert" sic
praise a 2000 UKP *plus* connecting cable. From his comments you'd think it
makes almost as big a difference as the loudspeakers.

As an engineer I find it hard to work out what you'd be having to do as a
manufacturer to make cables where the production costs justify over 2000
quid for a couple of meters of domestic audio interconnect. Having decent
cables you like makes some sense, but this does seem more like making a
'statement'.

I just buy plugs and cables from Maplin or CPC and DIY. I have tried other
cables, but didn't hear any changes that come anywhere near a change in
loudspeakers. Nor, indeed, near a small tweak of tone controls - those now
feared denizens of the past. 8-]

I decided years ago that reviewers moaned about 'tone controls' because a
small tweak of a tone control means they lose any ability to hear the
difference they say they detect between many amps, cables, etc. Alas, users
of modern kit often don't get the chance to check this for themselves.
Although if people use a appropriate audio playing software on a computer
they may be able again to experiment with tonal adjustments, etc, on a DIY
basis and re-discover than not all recordings have been made ideally in
tonal balance for their listening setup.

Jim

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