brjoon1021 wrote: > 1. What is the best format for keeping as much or all of the sound that > is on the CD when burning the CD to the Hard disk ? I have both Linux > and Win XP on my computer?
FLAC. BTW it's called ripping :-) Burning is the other direction. I use debian for my file (including music) server. The server software, called slimserver, is open source and a doddle to install and keep up to date since there is a debian package for it. The power button starts this Linux machine up and sends a ctr-alt-del to shut down, so I use this file server really as an appliance. No need to have a keyboard or screen attached. I can ssh myself a shell or X app when I need to. I bought the cheapest desktop system I could get (180 GBP) and additionally ordered two SATA 400Gb disks inside. One is the main disk, the other is the backup disk. I don't use RAID because I want two ordinary disks. I don't want to get a power outage or other hardware failure in the middle of clever RAID ops. Luckily the package 'unison' makes backups pretty much easy in batch mode. Think about this. It is more flexible and future-proof than putting the music on your regular desktop. > 2. Where do you guys get good Hi-Fi downloads (as opposed to 128K) ? I advise not buying downloads but CDs instead. Downloads are mostly not CD quality. Downloads often have DRM. Even the rest cannot be replaced if you lose the data on your computer. Yes I have a good backup system but it's always nice to have the artwork and shiny disc, which of course you can always use in any legacy home or car stereo. My 0.02's worth. > recommendations or thoughts about my choices ? Would you buy the > Squeezebox over again? I haven't used a Transporter. The SB3 is a good mid-end device but my experience is that it doesn't measure up to my CD transport. Yes, in theory it should. No, in practice it doesn't. Still sounds good though. > 4. I also need to buy a wireless router, my wired router is on the > blink. Do you have any recommendations or warnings for me about which > routers to buy or avoid? Anything will do. I use a Netgear and I'm happy with it. > 5. I will be using the Squeezebox version 3 (or 4 if out soon) into an > audible illusions modulus II Preamp with analog inputs. Do you think > that this will offer pretty good sound (mostly the analog inputs, I > know the preamp is good...) ? See comments above. Bear in mind that even amongst those who rave about the SB3, there are some have who shelled out for a Transporter in their main system. Why? > 6. What is/are the best bang-for-buck mods for this device ? I, like many here, have changed to a linear, regulated power supply. It is a UK supply from CPC: http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/Batteries+&+Power+Supplies/AC+to+DC/UNBRANDED/AD-05150R/displayProduct.jsp?sku=PW00187 The SB3 comes with a cheap switching supply, but I believe the Transporter comes with a linear supply. > 7. Does the wireless version also allow for hardwire connection to > router ? Yes. Regards, Darren -- darrenyeats ------------------------------------------------------------------------ darrenyeats's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10799 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=36412 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
