"MY" Room

[birdhouse]

Just new here and thought i'd show a photo of my current setup.

 

Everyone thinks that i should hide the speaker cables but i like them showing.

 

Primare i22

PMC GB1i

Logitech Squeezebox Classic - to play flacs and mp3's

Media PC - custom build using AMD integrated E-350 CPU running XBMC

PS3 with play TV.

 

In the process of either selling the Amp for another inbuilt DAC 2 Channel, Buy the optional onboard DAC or buy an external DAC. Any advice with this current setup is welcome.

 

[cheekyboy]

Nice neat system, birdhouse.........................welcome to SNA too and I hope you enjoy your time here.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

[shaky]

Agreeed. That is a very neat system. One my missus will never ever see the photo of!

 

Welcome to SNA mate .

[Satanica]

Nice to see a neat system with a HTPC. Any reason you're holding onto the SB3 to play FLAC's and MP3 when you could be using XBMC?

[birdhouse]

thanks for the comments.

 

 

Nice to see a neat system with a HTPC. Any reason you're holding onto the SB3 to play FLAC's and MP3 when you could be using XBMC?

 

I suppose i just like the interface and the way i can control it. It is always on and running and i can play music anytime. BUT You now have me thinking how i can do this just as easy!!

 

Also the quality of the sound from the SB beats the XBMC, hopefully this will change once I have a DAC

[Satanica]

Also the quality of the sound from the SB beats the XBMC, hopefully this will change once I have a DAC

 

You could get a DAC with a USB input and plug it straight into your HTPC, if you haven't thought of doing this already.

[birdhouse]

You could get a DAC with a USB input and plug it straight into your HTPC, if you haven't thought of doing this already.

 

This is a great idea. If i can get XBMC working just as good as my squeezebox i may just invest in a USB only DAC instead of one with many other inputs that will cost more.

[birdhouse]

Was able to install Softsqueeze on my HTPC and install Xsqueeze add on to XBMC to control it when in the Theatre. Mostly use squeezbox apps on the phone anyway. Have moved the Squeezebox Classic into the family room now.

 

Both are working and just as, if not more convenient then it was before. The HTPC is always on and the input of my amp is now always set to HTPC. Less devices the better

 

Ordered and waiting on a Schiit Modi to come in from Addicted2Audio. Hoping i'll enjoy the sound it makes.

 

Thanks Satanica for the point in the right direction.

[Jventer]

Please let us know re the Modi. As in how you like it, sound quality etc

[birdhouse]

Just received and setup the Schiit Modi. I got it with the Ultraviolet USB cable, the curiosity got the best of me and for the extra as a pack i couldn't say no. I thought if i don't get it, I’ll constantly be thinking if it would be better.

 

I have set my XBMC to WASAPI output, this didn't work with Softsqueeze so i got rid of that, may look into another squeeze app but the XBMC one seems to actually be pretty good. Setup ipad, wifes iphone and my win8 phone with apps to control and they all work well.

 

The Modi has gotten rid of all the harshness that was in the music before. High and Mids in the music is a lot clearer and the bass is just amazing. I was contemplating buying a sub for movies but if it does the same for movies like it’s done for music i won’t bother. Save the money. Hopefully it will continue to improve over time as i become more used to it. This is the most i have been happy with my system so far. I can really tell the difference between sources now. I play only lossless formats but on some you can really tell that either the rip wasn't great or just the quality of the CD was poor.

 

My next step now is to look at my cables. This is what I’m using for rca and speaker cables.

http://www.chromeaudio.com.au/store/speaker-cables-high-end-cables-c-81_83/silverhs-silver-speaker-cable-3m-pair-p-252

http://www.chromeaudio.com.au/store/av-cables-audio-cables-c-90_91/stereo-audio-cable-2-rca-2m-p-185

 

I am now thinking that i will get an improvement from using a better RCA cable and possibly speaker cables, happy for suggestions. Chromeaudio have this RCA that looks like a great price.

http://www.chromeaudio.com.au/store/av-cables-audio-cables-c-90_91/pleximesh-silver-stereo-rca-cable-1-2m-p-309

 

I'd be happy to spend more but would really need to test before i passed my cash over.

 

Another step for me would be to look at the room. I set fairly close to the setup, the room is not very deep so i think investing in drapes/curtains and maybe some sound things (what are they called) to hang behind the couch might work. Not sure if anyone has heard the PMC before but they do throw out a big sound for the size so hopefully these things will help.

 

Like i said before I’d appreciate any advice.