In article , TonyL
wrote:
TonyL wrote:

Re-use of an old laptop appeals to me...pros...cost free using open
source library software under a Linux based OS.

IIRC The Squeezebox uses Linux and there are various hacks/mods for it.

Cons..soundboard may introduce sample rate or other artifacts as
mentioned by Jim.

They should not be a problem if the system is chosen and setup with care.
But, yes, this is a bit of minefield due to the careless attitude of many
computer hardware vendors. The main pest in my experience is the sheer
amount of whirring noises, that many computers make.

So, I'm looking to a unit that can accept a physical CD for ripping from
or playing from, that boots up almost instantly. Has USB or Ethernet
connectivity for archiving/backup/loading MP3s

Don't know about all of that, but ripping direct from Cd brings the
'Brennan' to mind. No idea how good it is, though. The ads seem to lean
heavily on Brennan being a 'dome brained scientist' which ia a little
offputting at it keeps making the word 'Bose' pass though my mind. :-)

Slainte,

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

"Jim Lesurf" wrote in message


Don't know about all of that, but ripping direct from Cd
brings the 'Brennan' to mind. No idea how good it is,
though.

The obvious competition for the Brennan is a Netbook PC with an external USB
CD or DVD drive for loading media. If you have any qualms about the
Netbook's audio, then a USB audio interface would address that concern.

I did some checking and the Netbook + optical drive and audio interface
combo is very price competitive with the Brennan in the UK. And like they
say, you can also use it to check your email and surf the web...

Jim Lesurf wrote:

Don't know about all of that, but ripping direct from Cd brings the
'Brennan' to mind. No idea how good it is, though. The ads seem to
lean heavily on Brennan being a 'dome brained scientist' which ia a
little offputting at it keeps making the word 'Bose' pass though my
mind. :-)


The Brennan looks interesting and probably would be readily accepted by my
family since it looks a bit like the box it is replacing (apart from the
size). But, like you, was not impressed by the ad hype which was light on
facts and specs. Looking at reviews, the sound quality seems to be an issue
though nobody quantifies it. They talk of (to paraphrase) "A lack of depth
in the sound that is more than compensated for by the tons of cool
features." I'm also wondering about (uncompressed) library size with the
supplied 40 Gb HD although there is an 80Gb option.

Bose...aaah. I have a friend who supplies PA for events (I helped him with
the PA at NEC Crufts for many years) and he swears by Bose. Main reason,
though, is the mechanical and electrical robustness of their PA speakers
when installed on poles in muddy fields.

As for sound libraries....I think I will do a trial run with an old spare
laptop and optical drive. If folk here take to the setup I can upgrade it to
something more permanent along the lines suggested by Arny.

Thanks

TonyL

David Harris wrote:
On 11/10/2010 15:37, David Harris wrote:
On 11/10/2010 11:55, TonyL wrote:
I'm looking for comments on music libraries....alternatives to
storing hundreds of CDs next to my player. I've seen some hardware
solutions containing an HD and sometimes complete with audio amps
and even speakers.
Then there are more software oriented solutions, often PC based with
output
via soundcard.

I'm currently using a vintage CD player made by Philips. It works OK
despite
some mechanical problems, which is why I'm looking for possible
replacement
of the player with some sort of library system. A Pioneer amp and
IPL transmission line speakers complete this simple setup. Some
sort of HD storage seems attractive and convenient but I don't want
to sacrifice audio
quality.

Comments and suggestions please ?

Thanks




Aye, a decent PC with either a very god onboard sound card, or
something with optical out to a new AV style amp perhaps ? My PC has
my entire CD collection on it, which is about 14,000 tracks at about
43GB (MP3 encoded cuz Im old and cant hear the difference these days
!) Lossless CD ripping with any one of several formats is available
(FLAC, OGG, WAV even), and there are also countless media player
softwares to play the stuff (VLC ftw here).

DH


additionally -
Gordon Walker in uk.adverts.computers is selling a PC media centre for
£115 inc.

Copied :
=========
Subject: FS: Hiper Media Center System - £115 inc delivery
Date: Sat, 9 Oct 2010 21:22:49 +0100
Newsgroups: uk.adverts.computer

Hiper Media Centre System
- AMD 4450e CPU (2.32Ghx x 2 - Dual Core) + Low profile cooler (Super
silent)
- MSI K9N6PGM2-V
- 250GB SATA HDD
- 512B 533Mhz Memory
- NEC DVD Writer Slimline
- Windows XP Home Licence (not installed - Ubuntu)
- PCI Slot convertor (for mounting PCI cards horizontally)

Price includes delivery £115.

Regards,
Gordon Walker.



Gordon,

That looks interesting. Scanning reviews now. Thanks.

TonyL

On 15/10/2010 22:46, TonyL wrote:
David Harris wrote:
On 11/10/2010 15:37, David Harris wrote:
On 11/10/2010 11:55, TonyL wrote:
I'm looking for comments on music libraries....alternatives to
storing hundreds of CDs next to my player. I've seen some hardware
solutions containing an HD and sometimes complete with audio amps
and even speakers.
Then there are more software oriented solutions, often PC based with
output
via soundcard.

I'm currently using a vintage CD player made by Philips. It works OK
despite
some mechanical problems, which is why I'm looking for possible
replacement
of the player with some sort of library system. A Pioneer amp and
IPL transmission line speakers complete this simple setup. Some
sort of HD storage seems attractive and convenient but I don't want
to sacrifice audio
quality.

Comments and suggestions please ?

Thanks




Aye, a decent PC with either a very god onboard sound card, or
something with optical out to a new AV style amp perhaps ? My PC has
my entire CD collection on it, which is about 14,000 tracks at about
43GB (MP3 encoded cuz Im old and cant hear the difference these days
!) Lossless CD ripping with any one of several formats is available
(FLAC, OGG, WAV even), and there are also countless media player
softwares to play the stuff (VLC ftw here).

DH


additionally -
Gordon Walker in uk.adverts.computers is selling a PC media centre for
£115 inc.

Copied :
=========
Subject: FS: Hiper Media Center System - £115 inc delivery
Date: Sat, 9 Oct 2010 21:22:49 +0100
Newsgroups: uk.adverts.computer

Hiper Media Centre System
- AMD 4450e CPU (2.32Ghx x 2 - Dual Core) + Low profile cooler (Super
silent)
- MSI K9N6PGM2-V
- 250GB SATA HDD
- 512B 533Mhz Memory
- NEC DVD Writer Slimline
- Windows XP Home Licence (not installed - Ubuntu)
- PCI Slot convertor (for mounting PCI cards horizontally)

Price includes delivery £115.

Regards,
Gordon Walker.



Gordon,

That looks interesting. Scanning reviews now. Thanks.

TonyL



too late Im afraid, he's sold it.

DH