Which operating system?

Posted by: djh1697 on 26 October 2011

I have being using a Windows 7 PC with SP/DIF output to a standalone DAC, using MediaMonkey media player. I am quite happy with the results,

 

I intend purchasing a ARCAM RDAC or a Cambridge Audio Dacmagic, after doing a comparison, feeding them from the SP/DIFoptical link, the USB or coax link gives too much computer noise & earth issues.

 

I am in the process of building a standalone PC just for Media processing, which operating system would forum users suggest? Does it really matter? I could use XP, Vista, or Windows 7, thoughts please?

Posted on: 28 October 2011 by Guido Fawkes
Originally Posted by goldfinch:
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

Music streamed over Ethernet seems to sound better in the Qute than music fed from a computer through S/PDIF, but the bitstreams are identical (as captured out of the S/PDIF out into a Yamaha HD/CD recorder). So something else is at play: perhaps the noise from my Apple Music Server or its dodgy switch mode PSU.


I can't see how making my Vortexbox kernel real-time would change much. Putting the ferrite rings simon suggested on the Ethernet cable do have a beneficial effect, which I assume is down to eliminating RFI.  

Guido, you have checked for yourself that the same bitstreams can sound different, why not the data processing needed for producing those bitstreams could it being also "polluting" the signal in some way?  

Deer Mr Gold Finch


Everything is possible, but my ears are the only tool I have for measuring SQ and so I have to comment within their limitations. The differences in playback are only apparent to me when using different hardware. I can switch between the same tracks playing (identical bitstreams despite the first using FLAC and the second using AIFF)

 

a) Vortexbox - Ethernet - Juniper Switch - Naim UQ

 

b) Apple PowerMac G5/various players - Wireworld USB Cable - MF/V-Link Async USB to S/PIF convertor - TCI Glass Optical Cable - UQ

 

To me a) sounds slightly clearer than b)


[No I'm not hearing a difference in drives as they both have Seagate drives - my favourite brand] 

 

The different players I have tried on my Apple make no audible difference to my ears as long as all are set for bit perfect. 


Nearly all the players have ways to change the sound and, of course, the changes may be for the better if you like what they do. 

 

One piece of software, which I've not tried an can't even remember the name of now, purported to analyse your room and adjust the equalisation characteristics to improve the sound. You could even tweak this for individual songs to suit your own preference. Whilst I think this is clever, I avoid it because I thought I'd be forever twiddling with settings. 


So my conclusion is iTunes is fine and other players are too if they do bit perfect, just use the one you like. However, if you can eliminate some of the computers from the chain it does seem to make a difference, we are not talking night and day here. Some songs make the difference more obvious than others and it is not as great as the difference between Abbey Road original CD print, latest re-masters and MFSL. 


All the best, Guy


PS Wanna buy my magic ripper? The price is atrocious so it must be good.  

Posted on: 28 October 2011 by pcstockton
Originally Posted by Tog:


Forget Windows unless you intend spending an eternity checking drivers, choosing sound cards and searching for a case to try and disguise the desperate design train wreck that most PC manufacturers pass of as a PC.

What... is it 1998 or something?  Drivers?  Are you kidding me?  Since when has that been an issue?  Also, if you hate them so much, NEVER use them, and wont allow them into your home, how are you a credible source for how PCs perform in any fashion.  How the h377 would you know their shortcomings or possible benefits?

 

I agree with you in ONE case only.  Apple hardware is sexy.

Posted on: 28 October 2011 by Tog
I do use them at work, every day for my sins - although for really critical tasks my mbp usually saves the day. They remain from a programming point of view an unholy mess, from a software point of view a memory leaking crash prone disaster and from a hardware point of view the technological equivalent of Strictly Come Dancing.

I've worked with Windows almost as long as I've bought Macs (the two are linked) - from DR - Dos to Windows 7.

Tog
Posted on: 28 October 2011 by pcstockton

you must be an absolute joy to work with.

Posted on: 28 October 2011 by Tog
:-))

Though a surprising number of my staff are now using Macs .....

Tog