Sometimes connecting the PC audio output directly to an amplifier is susceptible to interference and electrical hum, which can be quite difficult to overcome other than totally disconnecting the audio output jack. This, of course, defeats the purpose.

So we try and isolate the computer a bit, using things like this Xitel MP3 streamer.

At this point, we're still at the mercy of the DAC inside the computer; and usually we don't know what the chip is and how good it is. Plus analog going out from the computer is a strictly non-audiophile interface and suject to PC electrical noise.

So we need a digital output from the PC - and very rarely PCs come with onboard digital SPDIF outputs - be it optical or coaxial. SO we have a few options; most common nowadays is to use a USB DAC

Another option is to use an Apple Airport Express - but you'd be tied to using iTunes as your media player.

going from there, you get solutions like a Squeezebox, stepping up to Sonos and ultimately the Sooloos.

The Sooloos is US15K on the average, but you can build a enthusiast's version of the Sooloos... which looks really interesting.

"susceptible" means it can happen to some people, even if it doesn't happen to you. But even you experience the hum with other devices, and "turning it down" is not really eliminating the problem.

I think I want that Joe Sixpack's Sooloos. I already have a USB sound card (Creative Digital Music SX)

my WDTV can play music from the external HDD, but the music interface is very basic

This post has been edited by SiriuslyCold: Sep 5 2010, 02:45 PM

click on the Sooloos link in my first post.

us$15K

that's why there's a Joe Sixpack's Sooloos.

you guys should understand the Sooloos is for people who already have a high-end system (source, speakers and amplifier) and a 15K component is an enhancement, not a necessity. So of course given US15K even I would spend it on other things rather than the Sooloos...

On the other hand, the Squeezebox Touch wouldn't be out of place and a logical enhancement given the level of my current system.





This post has been edited by SiriuslyCold: Sep 5 2010, 10:41 PM