PinoyDVD: The Pinoy Digital Video & Devices Community
Home Theater => Sources => Audio Only Sources => Topic started by: G-Racer on Aug 30, 2015 at 12:19 PM
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Planning to setup a headless PC audio source and will be connected to USB DSD DAC. Please help me which one is a better source? DAC will be Marantz HD-DAC1
Mac Mini 35k
2.6GHz Processor
1 TB Storage
2.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
8GB memory
1TB hard drive1
Intel Iris Graphics
OS X Yosemite
Intel Nuc NUC5i5RYH 31k
i5-5250U processor
2 TB STorage Sata 3 7.5k
16 gig DDR3L 1600 5k
Windows 7
Thanks.
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One thing against Mac is the lack of free music softwares. Itunes natively isn't capable to play Flac files on it's own. While using a Windows PC can get you Foobar for free. If you are planning to use the optical out of a Mac, latest versions are also limited to 192/24. Music through USB would still be your best bet if you plan to play highres files.
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I don't think you really need that much of a specs for a dedicated player but if funds is not an issue then it would not matter... ;)
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I'm planning to use Jriver either for Mac or PC
The reason for a bump up specs is due to PCM to DSD conversion, i heard it eats lots of resources during conversion
And yes, i'll be using USB going to DAC. I just wanted to know to those who experienced using any of the two as source which is better for audio only source
This include reliability as they will be On all the time almost 24/7
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Intel NUC for me as there are a lot of softwares which can optimize your setup which is unfortunately not available in Mac. If you're getting JRiver, get the license for both Win and Mac. Suggest you use at least 240gb SSD. The rest of the music files via USB 3.0
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BTW, suggest you use Win Server 2012
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TS, Apology in advance for asking questions on this this thread.
1. How does Intel NUC work?
2. How long does it take to boot up?
3. Can it be controlled via a tablet? what kind of tablet?
thank you in advance
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TS, Apology in advance for asking questions on this this thread.
1. How does Intel NUC work?
2. How long does it take to boot up?
3. Can it be controlled via a tablet? what kind of tablet?
thank you in advance
1. It same as your ordinary pc, only smaller
2. Same as PC, if SSD is used for OS then it's faster
3. Can be remote using remote desktop, same as any ordinary PC. There are lots of RDP apps for ipad and android
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Intel NUC for me as there are a lot of softwares which can optimize your setup which is unfortunately not available in Mac. If you're getting JRiver, get the license for both Win and Mac. Suggest you use at least 240gb SSD. The rest of the music files via USB 3.0
thank superman
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How long is the average boot up time as per specs posted?
1. It same as your ordinary pc, only smaller
2. Same as PC, if SSD is used for OS then it's faster
3. Can be remote using remote desktop, same as any ordinary PC. There are lots of RDP apps for ipad and android
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3-5secs if via SSD
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305 seconds I have access to my music or just on windows page?
3-5secs if via SSD
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305 seconds I have access to my music or just on windows page?
From turning on to Jriver screen
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3-5secs if via SSD
Is this for Windows Server 2012 R2 Boot up time?
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Yes sir
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If you will be using JRiver then go with Intel NUC. I have tested side by side a MacbookPro & a Dell Windows laptop using both versions of JRiver, same system & just switched laptops as source and it was clear to me that the Windows version sounded better. For Macs, I suggest Audirvana+ or HQPlayer as music player.
I'm planning to use Jriver either for Mac or PC
The reason for a bump up specs is due to PCM to DSD conversion, i heard it eats lots of resources during conversion
And yes, i'll be using USB going to DAC. I just wanted to know to those who experienced using any of the two as source which is better for audio only source
This include reliability as they will be On all the time almost 24/7
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If you will be using JRiver then go with Intel NUC. I have tested side by side a MacbookPro & a Dell Windows laptop using both versions of JRiver, same system & just switched laptops as source and it was clear to me that the Windows version sounded better. For Macs, I suggest Audirvana+ or HQPlayer as music player.
thanks for your input deist. i love using jriver, very easy to use and the android/apple Jremote is awesome
It seems the pc based source is better than apple. also cheaper
i guess the next choice is OS to use. Win 7, Win 8, Win 10 or Win server 2012.
Anybody knows how much is the WIn Server 2012 single license? I already have a license for 7 but not for 8 or 2012. How about win 10?
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thanks for your input deist. i love using jriver, very easy to use and the android/apple Jremote is awesome
It seems the pc based source is better than apple. also cheaper
i guess the next choice is OS to use. Win 7, Win 8, Win 10 or Win server 2012.
Anybody knows how much is the WIn Server 2012 single license? I already have a license for 7 but not for 8 or 2012. How about win 10?
Another option:
Linux
http://www.24bit96.com/usb-computer-audio-system/usb-audio-with-lowlatency-realtime-kernel-with-debian-and-mpd.html
Windows Optimization
http://www.24bit96.com/usb-computer-audio-system/configure-foobar2000-and-windows7-for-digital-audio.html
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Another option:
Linux
http://www.24bit96.com/usb-computer-audio-system/usb-audio-with-lowlatency-realtime-kernel-with-debian-and-mpd.html
Windows Optimization
http://www.24bit96.com/usb-computer-audio-system/configure-foobar2000-and-windows7-for-digital-audio.html
thanks for the suggestion bosyo. will check the windows optimization.
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I am using Win Server 2012 Trial Version :)
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My suggestion:
JRiver + JRemote + Audiophile Optimizer
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Is there an audible differences on SQ between Win 7 and Server 2012?
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Before investing into something, how about you check first the Daphile OS project? It's free, runs on a standard PC or laptop using bootable usb drive.
Few months ago, I was scouting for a headless music server/player but most of them are either expensive or have some trade off. That time I wasn't interested on pc setup. All I want is a "device" which i just power up , sit on my couch and control via my android phone.
Fortunately Daphile OS can do all of that plus tons of other features that i'm still exploring at the moment.
I was fortunate that it loads on my 4years old vaio 11" laptop. superpro usb dac is also detected effortlessly. to my ears it sounded good considering it cost me nothing.
Again this OS is free, you can easily make a bootable usb so you can test it without formatting your pc/laptop.
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thanks for your input deist. i love using jriver, very easy to use and the android/apple Jremote is awesome
It seems the pc based source is better than apple. also cheaper
i guess the next choice is OS to use. Win 7, Win 8, Win 10 or Win server 2012.
Anybody knows how much is the WIn Server 2012 single license? I already have a license for 7 but not for 8 or 2012. How about win 10?
Windows 10 is okay. You can use your Windows 7 license for an upgrade.
Windows Server just offers the flexibility of running in Core mode. The upcoming Server 2016 has the option of a "Nano Server" install, which may be conducive for audio. If you don't plan on doing that, then client variants of the OS should be fine.
Future versions of Windows 10 *may* have memory compression (as is deployed in insider build 10525). That may increase processing overhead (which purists hate).
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Windows 10 is okay. You can use your Windows 7 license for an upgrade.
Windows Server just offers the flexibility of running in Core mode. The upcoming Server 2016 has the option of a "Nano Server" install, which may be conducive for audio. If you don't plan on doing that, then client variants of the OS should be fine.
Future versions of Windows 10 *may* have memory compression (as is deployed in insider build 10525). That may increase processing overhead (which purists hate).
Thanks Stagea, i guess will be using Windows 7 for now so no extra cost...
Will be going to PC stores in megamall to look for NUC..
Thanks everyone..
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For me, there's a noticeable difference in sound quality between a Windows machine and a Mac. The Mac wins hands down.
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You can play flac files on any mac using titatium toast app.
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You can play flac files on any mac using titatium toast app.
Does the Titanium Toast app output the correct resolution via Toslink?
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to all intel NUC user. lagi kasing naka ON yung external hd ko kahir hindi naman naka ON yung nuc unit. pa share naman kung paano puedeng gawin. tia.
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to all intel NUC user. lagi kasing naka ON yung external hd ko kahir hindi naman naka ON yung nuc unit. pa share naman kung paano puedeng gawin. tia.
Do not plug it on the yellow port. That port is always on and is meant to be a charging port.
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thank you sir for the reply. actually, nasa blue usb port naka saksak yung external hd. basta naka plug yung nuc unit, kahit d maka on, umaandar na yung hd sir. parang may nabasa ako na may puedeng iadjust sa bios ata yun. kaso d ko magawa eh. tnx
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thank you sir for the reply. actually, nasa blue usb port naka saksak yung external hd. basta naka plug yung nuc unit, kahit d maka on, umaandar na yung hd sir. parang may nabasa ako na may puedeng iadjust sa bios ata yun. kaso d ko magawa eh. tnx
BIOS adjustments for USB power is available on some models. It's called "Portable Device Charging Mode" and should be off if you want USB power to turn off when the machine shuts down.
What model do you have? Do you run the latest BIOS version? Some models have this issue on older BIOS revisions.
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thanks sir staega. we'll check it tonight. pero nag tataka lang ako. pag i-on ko yung unit. then i-shut off ko. naka off din yung external hd.
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thanks sir staega. we'll check it tonight. pero nag tataka lang ako. pag i-on ko yung unit. then i-shut off ko. naka off din yung external hd.
You may have one with a problematic BIOS revision.
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sir, ano puede ko gawin? tnx
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to all intel NUC user. lagi kasing naka ON yung external hd ko kahir hindi naman naka ON yung nuc unit. pa share naman kung paano puedeng gawin. tia.
I'm not sure kung bakit ganyan. Naka NUC i5 Skylake ako and when I shutdown the computer, naka off rin yun external HDD.
Sent from my ASUS_Z00AD using Tapatalk
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I'm not sure kung bakit ganyan. Naka NUC i5 Skylake ako and when I shutdown the computer, naka off rin yun external HDD.
sir, actually pag ipower on ko yung unit, then ishut off ko. ok naman. naka off din yun external hdd. pero pag hindi ko iOn, at may power kung saan naka plug yung unit. umaandar yung external hdd.
Sent from my ASUS_Z00AD using Tapatalk
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sir, ano puede ko gawin? tnx
Try to get the latest BIOS and hope that it fixes the issue. May tool for flashing for it. Check sa Intel website.
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thanks sir for the help.
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updated my intel nuc 5i5RYH bios to its latest version. so far so good. hindi na nag on yung external hdd kahit hindi pa naka power on yung unit. thanks everyone for the help.