Author Topic: Mac versus PC for Music Server  (Read 26615 times)

Offline P.I.

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #15 on: June 25, 2016, 10:20:48 PM »
MAC or PC.

For me it is an easy choice, but I'm a tad jaded by the fact that I tried for 4 years to make a purpose built Windows machine sound as good as an off the shelf Mini.  I have since made the transition to MACs for all of my computers and never looked back.

A properly configured mini (especially the 2012 Quad Cores) using the dB audio labs software package is the best computer that I have heard for music reproduction for less than 2-3K$.  iTunes sucks, but there are plenty of great sounding software products available.  Add the versatility of VST plugins ($30.00) and you are set.

My .02
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Offline mfsoa

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #16 on: June 26, 2016, 10:17:31 AM »
Tried to put music from computer A onto an ipod that was originally used with computer B and Apple told me that I could only do so if I deleted all of the tunes on it that came from computer B.

I have never even thought about using an Apple product since.

Seems easy to "blow away" the SQ from a Mac Mini by using a microrendu, if the early adopters are to be believed.

-Mike

Offline P.I.

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #17 on: June 26, 2016, 11:55:13 AM »
Tried to put music from computer A onto an ipod that was originally used with computer B and Apple told me that I could only do so if I deleted all of the tunes on it that came from computer B.

I have never even thought about using an Apple product since.

Seems easy to "blow away" the SQ from a Mac Mini by using a microrendu, if the early adopters are to be believed.

-Mike
Well, you talked to a moron the first time about migrating sound files.  NEVER ask a "MacDesk Specialist" about high end audio.  Every time I have vetted the "Specialist" at the Apple Store I have had to get to "the guy" that knows anything about audio files... IF he/she was working that day.

A lot of things 'seem' easy until you do it.  I'm not slamming the uRendu.  I am getting one.  Until I hear the results for myself I will continue to go with the Mac that has bested $20K alternatives "in my system".  That is always the caveat, especially with digital audio.  I'll know soon enough.
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Offline Carlman

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #18 on: June 27, 2016, 04:20:58 AM »
It's a comparison I haven't done.
I like the PC because I have tens of thousands of flac files.
Foobar works well for me.
If I were to switch to Mac, there would be a lot of changes (time)and expense.
Would it sound way better? I doubt it.
I've heard the Mac mini sound very good. But not in my system.
If you or anyone does a comparison with a Foobar setup, I'd be interested to hear about it.
C
I really enjoy listening to music.

Offline _Scotty_

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #19 on: June 27, 2016, 08:44:04 AM »
I would say that before Win 8 came along a Windows based music server was at a disadvantage. Any PC based server pre Win 7 it was fatally crippled by the operating system alone.
 At this point in time I think a PC based music server is competitive with a MAC and it will probably come down to the build on the computer and the software player used.
 I cast my lot with the PC camp with the purchase of a HAL M-S 2 a couple of years ago and have been very glad I did.  :D
Scotty
« Last Edit: June 27, 2016, 11:24:27 AM by _Scotty_ »

Offline P.I.

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #20 on: June 27, 2016, 09:46:09 PM »
It's a comparison I haven't done.
I like the PC because I have tens of thousands of flac files.
Foobar works well for me.
If I were to switch to Mac, there would be a lot of changes (time)and expense.
Would it sound way better? I doubt it.
I've heard the Mac mini sound very good. But not in my system.
If you or anyone does a comparison with a Foobar setup, I'd be interested to hear about it.
C
Foobar was the format I used with PC.  It is a terrific interface for Windows.  I used the AQVox driver.  I sought out every possible SQ improvement available for the Windows platform that I could find.  I used many different stripped bare bones versions of Windows I could find.  I went through the different iterations of Windows through 8 and finally acquiesced to the definition of insanity. I spent several thousand dollars trying to prove that a Windows platform could sound better than a basically stock mini.  That was money poorly spent.

I'm not saying that Windows based servers suck.  Several of them sound very good.  I could be very happy with them IF I did not have the hands on experience and empirical exposure that I have.

Macs work better than anything else I have tried including the Windows machine I have here that is an ongoing project.  It sounds very good, just not great.
"A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument." - Hilmar von Campe

Offline HAL

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #21 on: June 28, 2016, 05:43:36 AM »
I agree to disagree with Dave.  I will not work with Apple or their products.

Just did a live stereo Steinway Grand Piano recording to 24bit/192KHz with a MS-3 PC and on playback sounds like the Earthworks M550 OSS disc mic feed.  Best I can ask for.

Have fun listening to music on whatever platform you choose.  

Offline tmazz

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #22 on: June 28, 2016, 07:18:55 AM »
Wow! How many other places on the net besides AN could a discussion like this take place without being accompanied by a verbal bloodletting?
Remember, it's all about the music........

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Offline HAL

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #23 on: June 28, 2016, 07:54:16 AM »
Very few people anymore know how to have a discussion.  Talking about observations and testing data is something I did for years before retiring.  There is no need for disrespect in a discussion.  Sometimes it comes to an end without a conclusion and everyone just continues on.  

I like Dave.  He is one of the good guys.  We just have different opinions, but that does not stop me from buying things from him. 
« Last Edit: June 28, 2016, 07:57:48 AM by HAL »

Offline richidoo

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #24 on: June 28, 2016, 11:03:56 AM »
Very few people anymore know how to have a discussion.

Among those expressing tech opinions on the internet, yes, very true.


Wow! How many other places on the net besides AN could a discussion like this take place without being accompanied by a verbal bloodletting?


Offline HAL

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #25 on: June 28, 2016, 01:29:32 PM »
LOL!  :shock:

Offline Nick B

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #26 on: June 28, 2016, 11:02:10 PM »
Very few people anymore know how to have a discussion.

Among those expressing tech opinions on the internet, yes, very true.


Wow! How many other places on the net besides AN could a discussion like this take place without being accompanied by a verbal bloodletting?



Um....please put me in the Mac category
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Offline P.I.

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #27 on: June 29, 2016, 09:53:39 AM »
Very few people anymore know how to have a discussion.

Among those expressing tech opinions on the internet, yes, very true.


Wow! How many other places on the net besides AN could a discussion like this take place without being accompanied by a verbal bloodletting?



Um....please put me in the Mac category
Me, too.  No one wants to see a manatee in that swimming suit...
"A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument." - Hilmar von Campe

Offline P.I.

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #28 on: June 29, 2016, 10:00:39 AM »
Wow! How many other places on the net besides AN could a discussion like this take place without being accompanied by a verbal bloodletting?
Rich is not only a customer, but a good friend.  You'll never hear either me or him bash the other. We simply have different things that motivate us.  Rich is the consummate innovator. He has worked hard on what he produces for a long time.  We choose to simply disagree.  It ain't politics... it's more important than that  :thumb:

Me, I was passionate about eliminating noise from the outset and that is why I originally chose the MAC.  Windows machines had not even gotten on the curve back then.  I know that Rich has done a lot to mitigate the noise issues. He and I see eye to eye (I to I or aye to aye) no the topic of noise.

It is just two paths that lead to??????
"A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument." - Hilmar von Campe

Offline mdconnelly

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Re: Mac versus PC for Music Server
« Reply #29 on: June 30, 2016, 06:08:51 AM »
...
A lot of things 'seem' easy until you do it.  I'm not slamming the uRendu.  I am getting one.  Until I hear the results for myself I will continue to go with the Mac that has bested $20K alternatives "in my system".  That is always the caveat, especially with digital audio.  I'll know soon enough.

Dave, I'm really interested to hear your take on the uRendu, particularly with respect to the power supply feeding it.  Interesting review here:

http://www.audiostream.com/content/sonore-simple-design-microrendu

It has worked wonders for me.  I'm thinking that if you have a USB dac, it just might make the Mac vs PC vs Linux debate a moot point.  

Caveat: I've only used Windows
« Last Edit: June 30, 2016, 06:14:30 AM by mdconnelly »