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

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

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.

In article , 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 ?

In principle this should be easy. Disc storage is now cheap, and things
like 500GB USB removable hard discs are widely available. And there are
various choices of player software, etc.

The snags are that you may run into problems in areas like:

1) Soundcard/system imposing needless resampling or other data tampering.

2) System with a sample rate that isn't maintained smoothly at the correct
rate.

3) Mechanical noises from hard discs, fans whirring, etc.

I chose a Shuttle running Ubuntu with a disconnected fan and a solid state
HD to use in my main audio system. Feeding the results via a USB external
DAC. This works reasonably well, but is measurably imperfect even if it
sounds OK to me. So I can't tell if it would suit you. FWIW I mainly use it
for playing files that aren't 44.1k/16, and for net radio streams, since I
am happy enough to keep and play CDs.

What might suit you will depend on factors like how sensitive you are to
mechanical noises, the samples being altered, etc.

The alternatives are to look at devices like the "Squeezebox Touch" to use
in conjunction with a computer - or even to play from memory cards. I can't
say how good they are because I use my own setups. But the "Touch" gets a
decent review in a recent 'Stereophile' magazine. Looks interesting.

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

On 11/10/2010 16:39, Jim Lesurf wrote:
In , 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.


snip

The alternatives are to look at devices like the "Squeezebox Touch" to use
in conjunction with a computer - or even to play from memory cards. I can't
say how good they are because I use my own setups. But the "Touch" gets a
decent review in a recent 'Stereophile' magazine. Looks interesting.


It does look good. I can't help thinking a cheap pc and an iPod Touch
with the remote app would be better - or at least worth looking at. I'm
using a netbook with a 'Touch and it works pretty well. And of course
you get a decent mp3 player/gadget and computer thrown in for the extra
(c.£200 max) outlay .

Rob

The CD100 I have here is fine if tipped forward at a slight angle. The
skipping is due to dust getting on the mechansm, which is pivoted. I don't
think any current model uses the pivot these days.
Brian

--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email:
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________


"TonyL" wrote in message
...
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

One thing though, don't do as many seem to have, and get rid of the CDs, as
sooner or later, raid or no raid, the thing will no longer work and you lose
the lot.

Brian

--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email:
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________


"David Harris" wrote in message
...
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.

"TonyL" wrote in message


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 ?

The Sansa Clip+ stores, indexes and plays audio libraries up to at least 24
GB (8 GB internal + 16 GB uSD card) at one time, and provides virtually
unlimited storage by means of swapping the uSD card. It supports most
popular flavors of compressed and uncompressed music files. The Clip+ also
includes a mono voice recorder with internal microphone and an analog FM
radio. It runs about 15 hours on an internal lithium cell that can be
recharged via a mini USB port. USB port power can also be used for
continuous operation. It has a 4 line multicolor organic USB display and a
touchpad control surface with two additional push buttons, one for power
on/off.

The Clip+ also has a 5 band graphic equalizer with multple groups of
settings can be associated with various types of music. Firmware can be
updated using a special loader program. Some models support a third party
open source firmware named "Rockbox" that provides additional features.

Other than power output which is appropriate for high quality headphones and
earphones, the CLIP+ has the approximately same performance as a good
quality stereo receiver and CD changer, including an onboard library of CDs.
The Clip is 2.2 x 1.4 x 0.6 inches and weighs about 1 ounce. I paid about
$30 postpaid for a 2GB Clip+, and a similar amount for a 16 GB uSD card.

If you want something that is a little larger, louder, a longer lasting
battery, with a larger display, the Sanasa Fuze is available for about a
little bit more. Other models have video and picture support.

Well clearly it will cease to work eventually, but whether that will be
before or after the owner ceases to function is a another matter. But a raid
system that is maintained should go on working for as long as it is needed.

David.


"Brian Gaff" wrote in message
...
One thing though, don't do as many seem to have, and get rid of the CDs,
as sooner or later, raid or no raid, the thing will no longer work and you
lose the lot.

Brian

--
Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email:
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________


"David Harris" wrote in message
...
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.

TonyL wrote:

Comments and suggestions please ?


Thanks everybody.

Arny's suggestion was one I hadn't considered. Interesting but I would
prefer to be able to save directly from CD rather than having to transfer
MP3 files via a PC. On the subject of MP3...I imagine that I can hear a
difference between lossy compression and lossless or no compression even
with my older ears. So I would like a system that offers storage of both.
This suggests HD based storage for a reasonable number of wav/FLAC etc.
files.

Re-use of an old laptop appeals to me...pros...cost free using open source
library software under a Linux based OS. Cons..soundboard may introduce
sample rate or other artifacts as mentioned by Jim. Also my family share
usage of the sound system and want to simply switch on and instantly select
an album or even stick a CD into a slot and play it as per the existing
system.

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

Thanks.

TonyL