Computer Audio Asylum Music servers and other computer based digital audio technologies.

---

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Computer Audio Asylum ]

---

[ Alert Moderator ]

---

A more serious answer...

Posted by Presto (A) on March 20, 2008 at 22:42:23

In Reply to: My personal list of things to avoid when setting up a PC audio server... posted by maabx on March 19, 2008 at 07:59:19:

> > > Locating the PC in the listening room.
Mine is. Oversized p/s fan, oversized CPU cooler with speed control, no case fans. No page file to minimize disk drive access. Can hear drive access (barely) from listening chair. Listening at even quiet levels, the PC is inaudible.

> > > Having my PC equipment and my stereo equipment on the same AC circuit.
Might reduce noise, but I have mine on the same circuit.

> > > Electrically coupling the audio system to the PC.
I have had no luck with TOSLINK. My current favorite digital out is a Coax SPDIF out of an M-Audio Revolution 7.1 using kernel streaming. Some swear by TOSLINK, others USB and some (who often remain quiet these days) are getting good results with Coax SPDIF or AES/EBU.

Using lossy formats for the music library.
> > > Agreed.

Using an internal HD as the playback source.
> > > I have used both internal and external USB. Soon, with solid state drives, I don't think it will matter too much!

Not having my music files backed up.
> > > Yep.

Using the PC analog outputs or inputs.
> > > If you mean "built in" on the mobo analog I/o then I agree. But there are some excellent PC/Mac based audio interfaces that will do a darn fine job of recording. Analog outs, I agree for the most part. The only exception might be a Lynx 2B, but yes - PCI cards are generally limited in performance.

Streaming my music wirelessly.
> > > Not my area of know-how.

Streaming my music via USB or firewire (probably controversial, but it's the way I feel for now).
> > > I've tried "common mans" USB with consumer equipment (JVC receiver with USB input) using a standard burr brown PCM2704 USB controller chip. Mid-fi or better but no panacea. You need to get a serious USB DAC like a Scott Nixon or Wavelength audio based on what is commonly cited here. Firewire gets used by prosumer 'home studio' products, which commonly get poo-poo's around here. But I bet companies like RME (with their Fireface) know what they are doing. Not too many consumer firewire interfaces - mostly prosumer.

Running anti-virus software.
> > > No internet is even better, but sucks if you want CD database access. If you ARE running internet, you are running SO MANY processes for this, one more for antivirus will not hurt. Besides, you don't need realtime monitoring - just disable the A/V autoload and automatic update feature and only run the A/V program when you want to update or scan.

Having less than 1gig of RAM.
> > > Even on XP 1GB is a good place to start. But Vista? 2 or 3 just to run all of that "Wanna-be-Mac" visual bling that just eats up resources.

Kmixer.
> > > Even on XP, you don't need to worry about kmixer if you have an ASIO or even KS capable device. Even direct sound does not "mix" or resample if no other streams are present. The "everything is resampled to 48khz 24-7 all the time" is a gross overgeneralization of how kmixer works. DTS passthrough tests tell you more than 'kmixer legends'. If you have DTS passthrough, you're bitperfect (but jitter is a whole other ballpark!)

Here are some other things you can do:

1) Eliminate all non-essential Windows services. I run 18 services and still have internet access. Most XP users have 35 - 45 services running. Vista is pushing 60 and many are resource-intensive "bling" appearance related stuff.
2) Turn off all unecessary Windows bling (basically XP is just Windows 2000 interface with themes, and fancy effects that can ALL be turned off. If XP does not look like Windows 2000, you're wasting resources. Turn off themes and all visual effects. Turn off screen saver.
3) Un-install EVERY piece of software you do not need. Do not allow ANY software to load on Windows startup (and sit in the system tray) by going run-> msconfig-> startup tab and uncheck what you don't need. Eliminate auto update options on anti-virus, quick-time, java and every other stupid auto updater.
4) Use processor affinity (if you have hyperthreading, or dual core processors) Put everything you can related to OS on processor zero. Put ONLY your audio playback software on processor 1.
5) In "Sounds and Audio Devices"
- Sounds tab: Select 'No sounds' for sound scheme
- Audio Tab: Select your PC's onboard sound codec (mobo sound) for ALL
- Audio Tab: Check "Use only default devices" tab
6) Use spyware/adaware removal tools
7) If you DO have internet access, use a good scrubbing tool to remove ALL internet remnants including offline content, cookies, history - even all index.dat files in C:\documents and settings\ (Yes, you CAN clean protected index.dat files)
8) Use system file checker (run-> cmd-> SFC /scannow) to make sure all Windows system files are not corrupt
9) Resist the urge to install anything not related to audio on your PC.
10) Run without a page (swap) file. (Do at your own risk - and know the consequences).
11) Keep kids and 'guest internet surfers' off of your audio PC. My brother IMMEDIATELY goes to hotmail and reads all of his FWD:Re:Fwd:Fwd:Re:Fwd friendster facebook "This is funny ha ha" virus laiden spam crap or worse yet, links to god knows what. "Lemme check my hotmail" can equal a whole day reformatting a machine and re-installing everything.

That's off the top of my head - there are other tweaks you can do as well...

Cheers,
Presto

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

VH Audio

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---