Improving a HTPC audio chain.

[Rednaxela]

If you've never heard the "bit exact" reproduction, it would not be.
It would simply be your music as you're used to it.

But once you do...

Then you can still wonder how this is possible, right?

 

[tuskenraider]

Sound like a cool system already!
I think the easiest way would be to set the Yammy to "direct" and disable all prost processing on the AVR side while testing Dirac. That's how I do it with mine (it too ahs YPAO but I never use it).

I think, if you like the Dirac PC implementation, you could be done with the system itself after getting the NCore amp. Next step would be to look at room treatments, if applicable.

Don't feel bad regarding JRiver. I never got to vibe with it as well and stuck to the more simple foobar2000, that handles all my audio needs faithfully. :'D

I've just done room treatments about a month ago after repainting the room. Bunch of 4" panels form ATS and Acoustimac, and changed vertical blinds to some "acoustic" curtains. It was a nice reduction in flutter echo and decay times, but the frequency response wasn't improved much. I'm not doing any further room treatment at this point, as I installed what I could for the space and can live with it. It's coming along. I was a little active doing home A/V 20 years ago, and recently got the bug to upgrade speakers from my old Paradigm Studios and then..................just reading and learning a lot in so many areas. This place is technical, but hopefully I'll pick up on things. Thanks.



The debate that has ensued, well..............

 

[Aerith Gainsborough]

The debate that has ensued, well..............

These things happen. It's just a debate, even when some folks apparently take it personally. *shrug*

Honestly, your system looks really nice.
I feel that besides the DSP Frequency response correction, there isn't much else left to do but lean back and enjoy the music/movie.

 

[tuskenraider]

Take a look at Media Player Classic Black Edition. Install it, run through the settings real quick. Enable MPC Renderer in the audio section and set it for Exclusive Mode. Exit the program.

Now all you have to do is click on a movie or music file in windows explorer and it will pop up and play it for you ... Easy Peasy.
You can also save playlists and when you click them, it pops up to play them from explorer too.

After you use it a bit, you will find you can customize it's behaviour very easily, too...

I've have/used the HC version, and see this is more actively developed. I really hope they revive Winamp as has been stated. I'll keep going back to it because.....Milkdrop visualization. I thoroughly enjoy it with my music. It is amazing that there is still no modern software that can best it. I've read about the messy implementation into JRiver, but haven't explored it further. Thanks.

 

[tuskenraider]

Ultimately, it seems I'll work on getting the best room correction to improve sound. I know my software playback options that can present an unmolested audio signal from the PC, I can stick with the Yamaha AVR for DAC and bypass YPAO, if software Dirac works out. Otherwise I give up on software Dirac, save $500 and swap to the Denon/Audyssey AVR for superior performance in room correction than the Yamaha. Oh, and get the Audyssey Multieq-X app I see they just released. The Audiophonics class D amp is replacing the Parasound regardless. Thanks everyone.

 

[wbravin]

Hello all

In reading this page i feel more lost than ever. About 15 years ago i built a htpc based on win 10. The PC was loaded to a 1010lt sound card and a decent video card. This is connected to a mac 7250 and a pair of magnapan 2.7r speakers. and all works well.

All media is stored on a seperate NAS and is served via jellyfin server

In june of this year I am planning to build a second HTPC to be installed in a dedicated media room

I do not care to play games.

However i do like my movies and love to listen my music.

Although HTPC1 and all its gear will remain in the living room

In the media room I plan to purchase a denon media Amp (newer version of the 4308) and connect it to a 5.1 klipsch speaker environment

If I may I would like your opinion on what would be a recommended solution to connect the htpc to the amp now in 2024?

Thank you so much in advance for any assistance given

 

[Sal1950]

If I may I would like your opinion on what would be a recommended solution to connect the htpc to the amp now in 2024?

HDMI is the industry's standard today.
Been working fine for me going on around 7 or 8 years now.
BTW, Welcome to Audio Science Review. I hope you enjoy your time here and we can
help you with any questions.

 

[wbravin]

Thank you for your prompt reply

I know nothing about HDMI.

Since i rip my old LPs to my nas In flac will the same music quality and clarity be as good or better than my 1010lt by channeling through a video card?
as mentioned i do not need a card for playing games.

Planning on denon avrx1200 or similar

Would you be able to recommend a card that would fit ?
Thank you

 

[Sal1950]

Since i rip my old LPs to my nas In flac will the same music quality and clarity be as good or better than my 1010lt by channeling through a video card?
as mentioned i do not need a card for playing games.

Yes, they'll sound exactly the same providing you are not modifying that file in any other way.
If you don't play games or aren't looking to serve video files 4k and better,
just about any modern card with an HDMI out will do the trick.