Home MP3/HiRes Player?

[Nismoron]

Over the past 10 years or so, I have played my MP3's through an iPod Touch atached to my preamp through a 3.5mm to RCA cable. The change songs and what not, I had to get up and walk over to the rack. Well, the iPod Touch died and I am looking for a new MP3/HiRes player. A friend thar doesn't care much about hifi suggested a Chromecast. I tried it and it sounds horrible. LOL I know better than to try bluetooth.

So I am looking for one of two things.
1 A way to play MP3's/HiRes files off of my laptop (while in my recliner) without having a 20ft cord going over to my stereo rack.
2 Some sort of music player that can store my music on a HD and can be controlled with a remote or though an iPhone app.

In my searching, I found the Sony Hap-s1, but that thing is about $1000. I'm not that into MP3's. LOL I only play them for casual listening to put sound in the room. If I'm going to spend that kind of cash, it's going to be for something with a bit more SQ. LOL I've also seen a lot of gear that is for streaming music off of the internet. I'm not really interested in that.

[Psycoacoustics]

JRiver Media Player software for your computer and their remote app for your phone or iPad.

Good luck. Mark.

[Nismoron]

I'm guessing that this will require building a computer server over by my stereo rack?

[Silver1omo]

You can get a raspberry PI an I2S DAC and choose 1 of many distros for cheap and depending on the chosen distro play from a network storage or local HD controlling it from any device with a web browser.

[ernperkins]

Lots of information in the "PC Based" forum over at diyaudio.com

https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pc-based/

[Nismoron]

Thanks guys. I was hoping for something a good bit less DIY. I'm having a hard enough time grasping DIY speaker advances after a 20 year hiatus from building. LOL

I can navigate my way around a PC just fine, But I have zero grasp of Linux, networking, etc. And almost zero desire to try to learn it. And the terminology is completely alien to me. Too many tricks for this old dog.

After doing a good bit of research today and looking at the programming involved and costs, I think I'm just going to buy another iPod Touch. I was hoping for High Res and maybe even running through an outboard DAC. But the cost and learning curve just are not warranted by the casual listening that I would use this for.

For my sit down critical listening, I use a cd player or turntable. That sort of listening is in a totally different state of mind.

Thanks again guys for the help.

[Psycoacoustics]

I'm guessing that this will require building a computer server over by my stereo rack?

Not really. Although I did BUILD a dedicated music computer and it sits in my rack. I wouldn't call it a "Server".

Just buy the software for your laptop, and the remote app for your phone, (I use an iPad) than when you want to listen to it just plug your laptop into the stereo and as long as it all is connected via wifi it'll work. I am NOT a computer person but I was able to make it all work.

My music is stored on the computer and plays through an Audioquest Dragonfly Red that is connected to my preamp. Sounds really good to me and anyone else that has heard it!

I rip CD's,,,, I buy from HDtracks and it just works.

As JR would say,,,, "Easy Peasy!"

Good Luck! Mark

[Psycoacoustics]

Thanks guys. I was hoping for something a good bit less DIY. I'm having a hard enough time grasping DIY speaker advances after a 20 year hiatus from building. LOL

I can navigate my way around a PC just fine, But I have zero grasp of Linux, networking, etc. And almost zero desire to try to learn it. And the terminology is completely alien to me. Too many tricks for this old dog.

After doing a good bit of research today and looking at the programming involved and costs, I think I'm just going to buy another iPod Touch. I was hoping for High Res and maybe even running through an outboard DAC. But the cost and learning curve just are not warranted by the casual listening that I would use this for.

For my sit down critical listening, I use a cd player or turntable. That sort of listening is in a totally different state of mind.

Thanks again guys for the help.

See my last post. I hear ya! I'm an old dog too! However, it's really not that hard. Your laptop, and a decent DAC will sound way better than most CD players!!!

I have a $3500 Ayre CD player that I love! However, my basement system uses the computer and the Dragonfly DAC and it really impresses me! So much so that I prefer to listen to music in the basement as opposed to my "Upstairs" system with the Arye CD player!

Let's put it this way,,,,, I got to AXPONA every year. When I come home,,,,,,, I want for NOTHING!

You can do this! PM me if you like. I'll help any way I can! Later, Mark

[Nismoron]

Just buy the software for your laptop, and the remote app for your phone, (I use an iPad) than when you want to listen to it just plug your laptop into the stereo and as long as it all is connected via wifi it'll work.

Problem is, my chair/laptop is 20ft from my preamp. I would just take the laptop over and set it up at the stereo, but I like to sit in my chair and surf the web while I listen. I would need 2 computers to make that work.

[Mountainman Bob]

Problem is, my chair/laptop is 20ft from my preamp. I would just take the laptop over and set it up at the stereo, but I like to sit in my chair and surf the web while I listen. I would need 2 computers to make that work.

do you have wifi?

[Nismoron]

Yes. But my preamp does not. I am looking for a way to physically connect to the preamp.

I guess maybe I am missing something or just dont grasp this at all...

[Mountainman Bob]

do you have a optical input on your preamp?

[Nismoron]

do you have a optical input on your preamp?

I'm running an Adcom GTP-350, so no. No optical input RCA only

[Nismoron]

I tried to edit the above post, but it would not take.

I'm running an Adcom GTP-350

[Mountainman Bob]

No. Adcom GTP-350

ok....when i was playing around with chromecast before i bought a dedicated streamer i tried it both analog and digital and did find the digital optical out better thats why i asked......although i don't remember it sounding that bad analog out. maybe its the way you implemented it......if you tried one of the chromecast apps that work on iphones or ipads they are junk, if you have an old android phone that still works (it doesn't need a working number or account) download the chromecast app to that and move your mp3's to it and tie it into wifi.

edit...you'd need to tie into wifi first to download chromecast............. also didn't mean your apple stuff was junk just the chromecast apps for apple!