I still feel that computer CD readers are not good but I do it might not be ONLY their fault. Most of the today machines have CD-Rom that juts spin too fast and it is imposable to make a CD-Rom to read at 1x speed. There is many custom softwares that restrict CD-Rom speed. Jessie, if you read your CD with computer then can you try something like this?

http://discrotate.sourceforge.net/index.html

It shell be quite a help. I do not use MAC but the similar tools on PS I remember helped a lot.

Romy wrote :

"...Jessie, if you read your CD with computer then can you try something like this?

http://discrotate.sourceforge.net/index.html..."


Yes I can try it, but I don't know if it will work on the drives where I store music files, as it is an external RAID arrangement, connected via Fire Wire 800.

In theory, apart from reduced wear and noise, I'm not sure that slowing the HDD would have any beneficial effect (in my case, the HDDs are all but noiseless).

My understanding is that chunks of data are collected from the spinning HDD, and then go into a buffer (temporary storage) until called upon. High access speeds and a large buffer will allow the process of data collection "to get further ahead". Data is then called out of the buffer as needed, and is eventually fed to the DAC. Slowing the HDD would logically result in less use of the buffer.

I see the handling of buffered data as similar to that which might occur in devices not having a spinning HDD. I have never experimented with devices that use only flash memory in place of a mechanical HDD (the new Mac AirBooks for example).

Btw, my RAID arrangement is configured such that it allows the computer to distribute data over all drives, which results in high access speeds. No, I don't know if this is necessarily desirable. Furthermore, should one of the drives take a dump, it will effectively wipe out the entire library (meaning that backing it up somewhere else is a must).

On another note : I realize that it is not the same thing as slowing the HDD, but the iTunes interface does allow the user to specify the speed at which data is imported/encoded... I have tried importing CDs at various speeds, right down to 1 X ; I notice no difference in quality. I have not however tried this with "Error Correction" option defeated (to access this option : iTunes > Preferences > Advanced > Importing > Check the "Use error correction" box... Default is un-checked).

For info : "According to a quick bit of research", 1 X speed for CDs = 500 rpm at center and 200 rpm on the outside.

jd*

Here is an excellent article in Positive Feedback by Dave Clark about the current options in the fields of Computer Audio

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue41/ca_intro.htm

Dave interviewed 13 designers with surprisingly reasonable questions. I would like also to see among the interviewees Dan Lavry,  Ed Meitner, Michael Ritter and Pflash Pflaumer. Also, I would like those big shots of digital industry to use their pull to make more Hi-Res raw files available as today audio people foolishly copy 16-bit CDs to this music severer and consider that it is how it shall be…

Anyhow, the Positive Feedback’s article is very good.

jessie.dazzle wrote:

Depending on the systems capacity to multitask, EAC may not slow gathering all the way down to 4X. jd*

Romy the Cat wrote:

Also, I would like those big shots of digital industry to use their pull to make more Hi-Res raw files available as today audio people foolishly copy 16-bit CDs to this music severer and consider that it is how it shall be… The caT

jp wrote:

I was looking into the power supply situation with my DAW and was wondering what viable options exist out there.  Currently, I am using an internal 600w pc power and cooling unit.  Apparently there arent many out there.  One I found was the xg magnum 600 external power supply but it looks like the company may be out of business...Anyone care to share their experience?

However, would I consider it as a good solution? Certainly not. The Magnum and any other PS for PC are essentially very cheap impulse power supply. The biggest question is if any better or other TYPE of power supply would be beneficial to drive DAW – that is THE question. Unfortunately I have no answer and I did not see anybody else seriously observe this subject. I have to admit that it is difficult subjects to observe as DAW in different hands do say many different thighs the it is very hard to say anything defiantly…

Still, I would be welcome to some kind of Aftermarket Company that would offer “sonically approved” computer powers supply – a great market for somebody and I am sure that soon or later we will see something like this available.

jessie.dazzle wrote:

Having said that, I notice no difference when switching to battery when using a laptop model to run the external drive of my music server setup, but this is possibly because power may be routed "through" the battery even with the transformer connected.

decoud wrote:

What is the reason for not building one's own? There is nothing special about computer power supplies, is there, one just has to provide DC with the correct parameters, no? You could run a motherboard off the Milq...

Generally, yes, it shell be very simple power supplies with no switching dirt insider and Hi-Fi people might use way better sounding stabilizers then people use in computers. The computer people use switching supplies just because it is cheaper, less space and less heat, no other reasons. You will not find a liner aftermarket PS for PC – I was looking it for a few years. It would not be difficult to build one but I do not plane to install my own DIY projects. I will tolerate the coming conversion of MF channel of Milq to DHT and it will be as far as I will go because no one else will be able to do it for me. To build a typical PS for PC is too generic task for me to make my hand dirty and other shall do it, the professionals – I would just buy it, try and see how it works.  Unfortunate no one look at that direction… Like in many other directions…

Lately the Music Servers got a lot of momentum and a lot of popularity but I am in contrary very disappointed with what going on with Music Servers and with the people who use them. But this is another subject…

coops wrote:

I heard a demonstration of the software ,versus standard itunes in Munich, I thought it a significant improvement, more texture to the sound, more space around individual components, and the auto sample rate sensing is useful.