Streaming audio

[RACKnRAIL]

I need some advice. I'm sure someone here must do what I am trying to set up. I want to stream my music collection, mainly flac files, from my computer through my stereo system. I would like the best sound possible. Should I use a high-end sound card or professional dat converter, which was suggested by a friend? What is the difference in quality, if any? I thought 1's and 0's were all the same and the speakers produce the quality of sound, assuming the file quality itself is high.

[Signa]

I think there still is an impact on the quality of the sound from the hardware decoder. I was dealing with my rather functional onboard sound card for years and then I installed my ancient sound blaster card and the sound difference was night and day. Obviously you want to start with good speaker hardware, but what you are using to send the sound to those speakers will be important (but secondary) too.

[Jorge]

If you use iTunes to handle your music, you might be able to setup remote speakers or stream your library from a device such as iPhone/iPad/iTouch.

[Tic3]

I use a patch cable from the sound card of my computer to the audio jacks of my stereo. (similar to this: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3240426 ). Works just fine for me. There are extension cables that you can add, so even if your stereo is on the other side of the room (or in the next room), it's not a problem. Just make sure you get stereo cables (not mono).

[RACKnRAIL]

No, never used itunes. I don't think it's relevant to my scenario, but thanks anyways.

In case I wasn't clear, I'm streaming from one desktop to another with a cable (not wirelessly). The data transfer isn't an issue. It's just high quality playback that I'm interested in.

I do, however, have an excellent stereo system with fairly high-end Audio Note speakers. I don't mind spending a few bucks to make this system rock to its fullest potential. Just about my entire music library is in flac. What I really want to know is how to interface my computer to get optimum audio results. I mean if you can spend $2000 on a CD player to play digital media, what difference would that be from a $200 CD player? If it equates to just 0's &1's then the $2000 player would be no better (sound wise) then the $200 player, right? So, does a $200 sound card produce better sound then my $20 Sound Blaster? These are the questions I am asking myself, which brings me back to, do I need to upgrade hardware or should I just buy a high-end audio cable and be done with it?

My logic says that if it's just 0's & 1's then hardware won't change anything that software can't do. So I could use a software like interface to re-mix or enhance the sound, much like I do when I record music through Cool Edit Pro. But then again, why are there $2000 CD players?

[Signa]

Cabling is probably going to be the least of your concerns unless the distance is really far. You probably would be better off with a mid-to-high end ($50-$100) sound card instead of a $20 one if that's what you actually have. I have a "gamer" soundcard and there was an identical model on the market at the same time that was marketed for music playback. That ran me $100 then, but it came with 4 games.

Also this confuses me
I'm streaming from one desktop to another with a cable (not wirelessly).
you have 2 PCs and one has the better speakers but no music on it? Is that what this is saying?

[RACKnRAIL]

All my media is on my main computer in my office, but I want to play it through my stereo in my living room, where I also have a computer. So my office computer has the media and TV computer will be playing it, but through my stereo system. My office computer has good speakers, but nothing compared to my stereo system.

I'm looking for the best set up for sound quality. I have an average sound card in the TV computer already. I do have a high-end Edirol sound card, but would prefer keeping that one in my garage/music studio. However, I would consider buying another sound card, if that's what it will take. I just don't know which way to go and what makes it better, which is why I am asking.



Cabling is probably going to be the least of your concerns unless the distance is really far. You probably would be better off with a mid-to-high end ($50-$100) sound card instead of a $20 one if that's what you actually have. I have a "gamer" soundcard and there was an identical model on the market at the same time that was marketed for music playback. That ran me $100 then, but it came with 4 games.

Also this confuses me
you have 2 PCs and one has the better speakers but no music on it? Is that what this is saying?

[Tic3]

Direct cable between media computer and stereo would be the best option. 2nd best option would be network (not streaming). Set up your office computer's media folder as a shared network folder. Access that shared folder from your TV computer.

[carpefile]

In newer pcs, even integrated audio is now HD. What you are getting with an expensive soundcard over onboard audio is more and better interface options, not really better sound, and even that is geared more toward home theater (5.1 vs stereo, etc.). In an older, slower pc, you benefit from a soundcard because it relieves the cpu from audio transcoding duties, but in newer multicore, hyperthreaded, high cycle cpus, audio doesn't put any strain on them at all. A simple headphone jack to RCA plug cable from your pc to your stereo is more than sufficient to give you great sound. And unless the 2 pcs you are sharing between are in very close proximity to each other, wired ethernet between the 2 is your best option.
But then again, I'm in the camp that thinks the sound quality of a high bit rate mp3 is indiscernible to the human ear from flac, so to you audiophiles, it may make a big difference.

[RACKnRAIL]

Thanks for all the input. I will give this a bit more thought and see what i come up with. I'll probably stick to the "KISS" rule (keep it simple stupid).

I can hear the difference with some mp3's as apposed to flac/CDDA, but not all. It depends on the bit rate, the song, instruments and vocal tracks, etc. That's coming from someone that still plays LP's because I like the sound way better.