PC Audio 101 for dummies....including me!
Many of us are totally confused by all this computer audio stuff. Becuase there seems to be so much to learn and so many different ways things can get done, we then just throw our hands up and say...."I will just keep playing my CDs. Heck with this new fangled complex stuff". If you only have CDs and a great player and you really don't care about high rez and using Pandora, Tidal, Apple or other streaming services and you are happy with your sound....then maybe just stay where you are. However......the magic of computers is that not only can things get easier to find all your current titles (and millions of titles you don't have) and play them but the sound you can get is just plain better than what CDs can produce by themselves on your current player.
Upsampling of the sampling frequency and bits of digital audio has been going on for years. Some like the sound of upsampled music....and others do not. However, there is a relatively new audio player software called HQplayer that, from what I have read, is in another league above all other upsampling softwares. If you upsample even your lowly 16/44 PCM to DSD 256 or DSD 512 files via HQplayer and play them through a great DSD DAC then the sound you hear is better than any other way to listen except for maybe those new $90,000 DACs that you and I will never afford nor care about. If all your files can be made to sound much better and you don't have to buy new software or new hardware (like the MQA system being pushed by Meridian)........then why would you not want it? All files from 16/44 through 24/192 through DSD64 will sound better upsampled to DSD256 or DSD512 via HQplayer.
The information here can help you make your own computer for audio and we will also assemble computers for your use. John Makela (the author or much of what you will read from hear on) assembled his second one in 2 hours for someone....Of course, this does not include the time to download programs, set up programs and set up everything.
Why would you want to build your own audio PC when you could buy a $1000 audio server with player programs and even a CD burner built in? Because they don't run HQplayer.....and maybe not Roon or are capable of it. Plus if you have your own computer, when the HQplayer guy comes up with new software or someone else writes even better software or a better player comes out you can instll it yourself very easily. Not so if you are using someone elses box. HQplayer is a complex program that uses lots of computing. You need a serious processor chip in your computer and a really great mother board.
Here is a list of things/basic costs that are necessary for a great audio PC:
1. Super PC mother board with fast Intel I-7 processor, solid state drive for main programs, 8 gig ram, wifi connectors, nice case, super cooling heatsink/fan for processor (super quiet...you don't want noise in your listening room) and low noise power supply. Around $600
2. External or internal large hard drive for music storage and external burner for burning CDs. Around $120 for basic 2 gig hard drive and burner. More for solid state hard drive.
3. Windows 10.....buy Windows 7 Pro and there is a free update to Windows 10. One of the reasons pc audio has gotten better and better is that the latest Windows software just sounds better. $30-60 for Windows 7 Pro.
4. Audio Fidelizer Pro software. This software makes Windows sound better by turning off all stuff not related to audio (in Windows operating system). Very effective. $70
5. HQplayer software. This is the Sonic Marvel. Can be used by itself as a player but is not as nice to use as other players. $150 for the license.
6. Roon player software. This is the leading seriousy easy to use great interface player that everyone is raving about. You either have to rent it by the year ($120) or buy a forever use permit for $500. However, as good a player as it is, it does not upsample like the HQplayer. What is nice is that recently they have been made to work together. You use Roon to stream and select and then it goes to HQplayer to play.
7. USB isolators/Jitter reducers. The Audioquest Jitterbug plugged into the computer and the Regen plugged into the DAC will make for way better music. $200-$300 depending on power supply for Regen.
8. Good usb cable between the usb isolators/jitter reducers.....$100-?
You use your own keyboard, mouse and monitor to set up the computer but once set up then you use your tablet or phone to actually play the music.
Totals for above from around $1250 without Roon and better power supply and cables to around $1600 with yearly Roon and better cables and power supplies......and more if you want solid state external or internal drive for your file storage.
Now, this is not cheap but considering that the above playing upsampled 16/44 to just DSD 128 playing through a level one modded Gustard X20U ($1340) beat a $20,000 turntable with a $5000 cartridge (John Makela's system)..........well, folks, this is some serious sound that is available now. I want this kind of sound and so will you. So, I asked John to write up what he did to make his PC and he wrote me the following novelette: Please click the link and read and learn. I will be making my own PC soon (following everything written by John) and will comment on all the things I think you might want to know.....as I am a total novice on this. But when I get done with the first one and it blows my mind.....then I can assemble them for others, if they like.
