Cheap way to play higher quality files

[mgsylvestre]

I am new to the world of higher quality lossless audio files.

I have determined that using Apple TV to stream those files to the receiver is not an option, since it (or iTunes) apparently downgrades to 16 bit when it plays, even if the file is Apple lossless.

I just tried the following and would like your views:

My receiver is an Onkyo TX-NR5007 with 192kHz/32bit Burr-Brown DACs (better than the Logitech Transporter as far as I can tell). What I have done is to setup DLNA server software on my Mac Pro (Twonky, Playback, etc. they all work) and I play the files directly with the receiver through an ethernet wired network using the Mac Pro as a server. Total additional cost: less than $40 (you can even get DLNA server software for free, I could not get it to work however). Since the cost is so low, I also have the flexibility to change server software at will, since I will only loose my $40 investment.

The solution is not very good looking (the server screen coming out of the Onkyo is not very nice, some characters get garbed, etc.), I don't have the option to use playlists at this point, etc., but you can't beat the price. I would only use this solution to play higher quality audio files and use iTunes/Apple TV for everything else.

If this solution does not limit the quality of the playback, I think I will stick with it for now. Alternatives, like the Transporter, are quite expensive and I don't know that I would get any increase in quality.

Any opinions or advice?

 

[zeuiax]

My receiver is an Onkyo TX-NR5007 with 192kHz/32bit Burr-Brown DACs (better than the Logitech Transporter as far as I can tell). What I have done is to setup DLNA server software on my Mac Pro (Twonky, Playback, etc. they all work) and I play the files directly with the receiver through an ethernet wired network using the Mac Pro as a server. Total additional cost: less than $40 (you can even get DLNA server software for free, I could not get it to work however). Since the cost is so low, I also have the flexibility to change server software at will, since I will only loose my $40 investment.

The solution is not very good looking (the server screen coming out of the Onkyo is not very nice, some characters get garbed, etc.), I don't have the option to use playlists at this point, etc., but you can't beat the price. I would only use this solution to play higher quality audio files and use iTunes/Apple TV for everything else.

If this solution does not limit the quality of the playback, I think I will stick with it for now. Alternatives, like the Transporter, are quite expensive and I don't know that I would get any increase in quality.

Any opinions or advice?

Logitech Squeezebox classic has Burr Brown DAC. Their transporter has AKM AK4396 multibit sigma-delta D/A, and I believe its better than Burr Brown.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

You can build Boxee/XBMC box (software is free, you can use old hardware) which is able to play FLAC/APE files and pass-out digital output directly to your receiver.

 

[808htfan]

I am new to the world of higher quality lossless audio files.

I have determined that using Apple TV to stream those files to the receiver is not an option, since it (or iTunes) apparently downgrades to 16 bit when it plays, even if the file is Apple lossless.

I just tried the following and would like your views:

My receiver is an Onkyo TX-NR5007 with 192kHz/32bit Burr-Brown DACs (better than the Logitech Transporter as far as I can tell). What I have done is to setup DLNA server software on my Mac Pro (Twonky, Playback, etc. they all work) and I play the files directly with the receiver through an ethernet wired network using the Mac Pro as a server. Total additional cost: less than $40 (you can even get DLNA server software for free, I could not get it to work however). Since the cost is so low, I also have the flexibility to change server software at will, since I will only loose my $40 investment.

The solution is not very good looking (the server screen coming out of the Onkyo is not very nice, some characters get garbed, etc.), I don't have the option to use playlists at this point, etc., but you can't beat the price. I would only use this solution to play higher quality audio files and use iTunes/Apple TV for everything else.

If this solution does not limit the quality of the playback, I think I will stick with it for now. Alternatives, like the Transporter, are quite expensive and I don't know that I would get any increase in quality.

Any opinions or advice?

If you use the coax or optical outs on the Squeezebox/Transporter you'd use the DACs in your Onkyo, right? I think the Squeezebox will pass up to 24 bit/96 kHz thru it's digital outs and the Transporter up to 24/192.

Can't beat 40 bucks tho...