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The Dynaco Tube Audio Forum

Dedicated to the restoration and preservation of all original Dynaco tube audio equipment - Customer support for Tubes4hifi VTA tube amp and preamp kits and all Dynakitparts.com products


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GP49
fxb1982
Sprags
DarthBubba
bcinnamon
Windup
j beede
TorontoDave
Tom
13 posters

    Tablet for FLAC files?

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    DarthBubba


    Posts : 88
    Join date : 2012-05-05

    Tablet for FLAC files? - Page 2 Empty Re: Tablet for FLAC files?

    Post by DarthBubba Wed May 08, 2013 1:13 pm

    [quote="GP49"]
    DarthBubba wrote:
    Tom wrote:
    Anybody remember the Nuvistor? (Besides Bob) farao

    And RCA's bad pun, in the name of the TV sets that used Nuvistors in their tuners? The "New Vista" series?

    Not including, of course, the "New Vista Color Solid State" models.

    The Nuvistor tube had much lower inter-electrode capacitance than the 7-pin and 9-pin miniature tubes
    they replaced, making them better for use in radio-frequency applications.

    I preferred them in the front end of a Fisher 500C, or as a moving-coil cartridge head amp. 6CW4, 6DV4.
    sKiZo
    sKiZo


    Posts : 1530
    Join date : 2013-04-01
    Location : Michigan USA

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    Post by sKiZo Wed May 08, 2013 1:45 pm

    How about both? I went with a full ATX size HTPC in the audio rack and an android tablet as a remote ... jRiver Media Center has all the bells 'n whistles to make it happen.

    I only use the android if I'm in another room. Got a Gyration air mouse and wireless keyboard for when I'm camped out in the great comfy chair ...

    * Over 100 posts ... may I have a cracker?
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    Tom


    Posts : 217
    Join date : 2011-04-04

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    Post by Tom Thu May 09, 2013 8:06 am

    Harpy, that's an idea I hadn't considered. I happen to have a laptop with busted keyboard from one of my daughters in college, bought her a new one of course.

    New case, get rid of keyboard, keep touchpad, tiny monitor...

    Hmmmmm. Project?!?

    Very Happy
    baddog1946
    baddog1946


    Posts : 319
    Join date : 2010-02-03
    Location : Costa Rica

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    Post by baddog1946 Thu May 09, 2013 9:28 am

    Whatever hardware you use if it is a windows based system it is hard to beat "Mediamonkey Gold" with support for all the best formats(FLAC) and able to play Apple and other proprietary formatted files, a huge selection of input and output plugins including iTunes WASAPI etc. Mediamonkey can handle up to 100,000 files and convert most any file type to FLAC or MP3 for your portable devices. has tons of skins and is $40 including a lifetime of upgrades. I am slowly going over to a Linux based system but I used it on my windows based computers for the last ten yers and it was always a trouble free, star performer.
    If you really have to go with Apple based systems then you should not overlook the Almarra family of playback software. They have it all from studio quality (and price) to a consumer version of one of the best formats around.

    One comment about wireless stuff: IMHO using wireless hardwre to fly files is never as good as a cabled setup. Wireless control of a system library is immaterial to sound quality but playback should be cabled for the best quality signal delivery to your amp.
    harpy
    harpy


    Posts : 94
    Join date : 2012-02-04

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    Post by harpy Fri May 10, 2013 9:26 pm

    Here is an example of a build for about $400.00:

    http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/494-computer-audiophile-pocket-server-c-p-s-v3-topangas/

    My only goal for computer audio is that it's bit perfect. +1 for Mediamonkey. I was thinking of using JRivers with the Iphone App. Using ATV2 now, but have been planning a build of Windows based PC. Easier to play with and mod out. I just plan to use the on board stuff, it's pretty simple for computer to convert 0's and 1's into light or what ever you are using, but it does give you option exploring some half height sound cards with different digital outs.
    sKiZo
    sKiZo


    Posts : 1530
    Join date : 2013-04-01
    Location : Michigan USA

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    Post by sKiZo Fri May 10, 2013 9:37 pm

    Once again, it's not all about ones and zeroes. I went thru onboard sound, several driver sets, a Creative EMU, an Asus Xonar, ... etc. before finally going with an outboard DAC and ADC. There's just too much competition for resources inside most computers. Even then, the only way to clean up some leftover garbage was to get a dedicated USB bus card with it's own tap direct to the power supply. I use that ONLY for the DAC and ADC.

    Just saying ...



    THIS IS THE (oops ... my bad ... turn it down a bit)

    This is the voice of experience!

    Prepare to be disappointed or lower the bar. Both cards I tried were alleged premium options. The Xonar was just ... not right, and the EMU was just flaky - Hardest part was uninstalling it. Took some serious pillaging in the registry to put a stake thru it's ugly digital heart. Persistent little cuss too - found out every time I made something go away it was dialing home and downloading more until I disconnected.

    Then again, yall might just get lucky. Hey ... it could happen!
    skriefal
    skriefal


    Posts : 135
    Join date : 2011-09-20
    Location : Utah, USA

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    Post by skriefal Fri May 10, 2013 10:06 pm

    Have you considered a Vortexbox?
    http://vortexbox.org/content/149-Logitech-SqueezeBox-replacement-for-under-30

    Root it, install VAMP, and you can then set it up as a "Squeezebox" player. You'll need the Logitech Media Server (formerly Squeezecenter) software installed on your PC to act as the server / music source. You'll also need to add a USB DAC to get the audio out of the box -- those are available from $30.
    harpy
    harpy


    Posts : 94
    Join date : 2012-02-04

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    Post by harpy Sat May 11, 2013 3:14 pm

    I was talking about using and external DAC the sound card was just to provide different digital outputs, not using the sound card's internal DAC. I could never figure out why USB was used to carry the digital signal. A SOtM tX USBexp is $300.00 and a Black Lightning for a dedicated battery power supply for the card is another $500.00. Seems like a lot of dough just to clean up USB, but that seems to the standard for computer audio. That's why I always liked optical, but I guess that has band width limitations.
    I did take the plunge last night and ordered a and ordered a Lian LI PC-Q058 Thin Mini ITX case and an Intel Thin mini-ITX Intel BOXDQ77 mainboard and heat pipe. Will probably use a 3rd gen Intel I3.
    sKiZo
    sKiZo


    Posts : 1530
    Join date : 2013-04-01
    Location : Michigan USA

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    Post by sKiZo Sat May 11, 2013 3:34 pm

    USB's come a long way since the dark daze ... I actually prefer the sound to what's available from my optical and coaxial feeds. All about how a specific machine processes it I guess. My box has RealTek HD audio, which is supposed to be decent, but the USB just sounds fuller and sweeter, even at lower resolutions. Allegedly, all S/PDIF is created equal, but that's not always the case, and my DAC has the Tenor usb chipset which gets rave reviews. USB also wins for ease of use as it's mostly plug and play nowadays.

    Here's the USB expansion card I got to cure the system hiccups ... $25 at NewEgg ...

    Tablet for FLAC files? - Page 2 15-287-016-TS?$S300W$

    VANTEC 4-Port SuperSpeed USB 3.0 PCIe Host Card Model UGT-PC341

    Nice choice on the case. LianLi is some nice solid stuff. Purty too. You'll be surprised at the weight of the case. Only thing you got to watch for is some of their cases require a proprietary power supply, so it's best to check when ordering.

    Didja go with the solid state drive for system software? Mine was less than a buck a gigabyte with zero noise and heat. Big change from my old Seagate Barracuda, which was fast, but loud. The SSD runs rings around it in any category, including speed.

    Tablet for FLAC files? - Page 2 20-147-188-Z02?$S300$

    SAMSUNG 840 Series MZ-7TD120BW 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

    Tiny little thing too. I just velcroed it down to the baseplate on my ATX case. Kit includes a 3.5" adapter, so they'll also fit in a standard hard drive slot.
    harpy
    harpy


    Posts : 94
    Join date : 2012-02-04

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    Post by harpy Sat May 11, 2013 8:16 pm

    Good info. The Lian LI Q05B will only fits the Intel motherboard and heat sink. The BOXDQ77KB uses a power brick, so there is no power supply in the case. The case does not allow for any add on cards. Embarassed

    I was thinking about getting a 60 gig mSATA SSD drive for the OS and burn the other mini slot with a wireless card. That would give me 2 open 2.5" drive bays. Maybe send the USB to SOtM dx-USB-HD to convert the USB to Coaxial, Optical, or AES/EBU so I don't have to switch DACS. It's an external unit the can use battery or a linear power supply. Found one used.
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    Tom


    Posts : 217
    Join date : 2011-04-04

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    Post by Tom Mon May 13, 2013 8:29 am

    Wow, great info on the player builds.

    Thanks all!
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    Sprags


    Posts : 123
    Join date : 2013-02-27

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    Post by Sprags Sun Jun 02, 2013 12:16 am

    I apologize if I'm hijacking this thread but I'd like ask a question regarding my tablet, an iPad 3 plus a wifi Seagate HDD. I really don't to use my Laptop as a FLAC server. I use the laptop for work and I have it paced up and ready to go for work every day. I do have an iPad 3 and a wifi HDD that I wouldn't mind using for storing and listening to FLAC files with. I found a free Flac player online but free means it only pay the first few minutes of the song. I haven't tried storing my Flac files on the wifi HDD yet. But I have to believe if I use one of the Flac players available for a fee I'd be able to. Before I invest in purchasing it though can someone tell me if they have tried something like this as a setup and if so how it performed and sounded.

    I thought the Flac files Bob has been giving us the chance to download as sounding great. Even without a DAC.

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