New Duet user - advice appreciated

[ChrisDavie]

I've just ordered a SB Duet and a Buffalo LinkStation Mini 1.0TB to provide the storage. I'm re-ripping all of my CDs into flac while I wait for the posty. Just thought I'd post here to ask if anyone has any advice on combining these two bits of kit. In a way I hope not and that the whole process will be sublimely easy, but just in case I'm asking the question.

Also I'm going to be plugging my new kit into a very old amplifier (Yamaha AX-540) which I plan to replace fairly soon. I'm presuming the SB will happily interface with it's CD input in the meantime? I'd also be interested to hear any thoughts people may have on a good low to midrange amp to replace the old Yamaha, which will probably be paired with some Aviano 2s, although currently I have some truly antiquated Boston Acoustic A40s which are so old that the woofer cones have decomposed!

And perhaps as a final question (.. if the genie allows) I'd be keen to know what you regard as the best way of getting vinyl recordings onto such a setup.

Thanks in advance for any help, and apologies in advance if I've misconstrued this forum.

[pski]

I've just ordered a SB Duet and a Buffalo LinkStation Mini 1.0TB to provide the storage. I'm re-ripping all of my CDs into flac while I wait for the posty. Just thought I'd post here to ask if anyone has any advice on combining these two bits of kit. In a way I hope not and that the whole process will be sublimely easy, but just in case I'm asking the question.

Also I'm going to be plugging my new kit into a very old amplifier (Yamaha AX-540) which I plan to replace fairly soon. I'm presuming the SB will happily interface with it's CD input in the meantime? I'd also be interested to hear any thoughts people may have on a good low to midrange amp to replace the old Yamaha, which will probably be paired with some Aviano 2s, although currently I have some truly antiquated Boston Acoustic A40s which are so old that the woofer cones have decomposed!

And perhaps as a final question (.. if the genie allows) I'd be keen to know what you regard as the best way of getting vinyl recordings onto such a setup.

Thanks in advance for any help, and apologies in advance if I've misconstrued this forum.

Should be simple. Attach storage and configure. You didn't say mac or winders.

Point SBS at the network drive and scan/replace. You will probably want to poke around here for ways to get album artwork. I highly recommend AlbumArtAggregator.

The output of the Duet can be set to fixed so you can continue to use your receiver's volume control with the Duet plugged into CD (or Tuner, or Aux, just not phono.)

I don't know about receivers that are around now. I do know that Sony ES series and Yamaha are just about the only units that are rated at full-range frequency rather than at a reference 1000Hz. That's always better.

To rip the records, it's hard to beat the ART USB Phono-Plus. This unit provides a standard RIAA equalization (read "phono") input and outputs to your computer via USB. It shows up as another "sound" device.

The software is open to discussion but it is hard to beat Spin-It-Again for simple. It's drawback is a relative lack of supported output formats. You can try it free.

Go ahead and install SBS .. have fun.

P

[ChrisDavie]

Thanks very much for the advice. (Am using WinXP)

[ChrisDavie]

Well the Duet has arrived and I've been playing about with it all afternoon. The good news is that it's working, and I really love it - well mostly. There are some problems

1. Connectivity seems a bit flakey - controller reports about 50% signal fairly often - I live in a Victorian and heavily walled building so perhaps this isn't surprising - and I've had it fail on it's connectivity. I'm thinking that I may need to upgrade my Netgear 834Gv2 to something like the Netgear DGN2000. I've managed (I think) to get both the reciever and the controller onto fixed IP addresses but this hasn't helped much (I needed to do this anyway to stop them clashing with my firewall). I'm currently (as a temporary measure) running my library from a USB drive connected to the windowsXP PC.

2. Odd static-like noise on right channel on some tracks - I've been busily re-ripping all my CDs (800ish) since I ordered the SB into FLAC format - I've used dbpoweramp and apart from 1 or 2 troublesome CDs I've kept all the settings the same - ripping on the default secure. Some tracks seem however to have some hum or static (seemingly mainly on the right channel) when played through the SB, and there isn't the same problem when played through my pc (apparently anyway - hifi clearly has much much better definition).

3. The grand plan - My plan has been to set up the Buffalo LS Mini (when it arrives) as a SB server, and therefore allow me to turn off my PC and leave the little box running 24x7. I've read a few concerns as to whether the Buffalo can keep the pace, and particularly with my network issues it seems possible I may run into trouble. The box won't really be doing anything else other than delivering music. I've noticed the (it seems) need to run the Buffalo with 7.3.3 - I assume if I do this that it'll interface with everything else still?


Early days obviously and I'm going to be busy searching these forums about these topics and no doubt some others, but if anyone has any suggestions I'd be delighted to hear your wisdom.

[bluegaspode]

I've noticed the (it seems) need to run the Buffalo with 7.3.3 - I assume if I do this that it'll interface with everything else still?

If you use the instructions from TiredLegs the Linkstation will keep all its original features. For 7.4.x no solution is provided so far.

[ChrisDavie]

Yep I've seen Tiredlegs post and intend to follow it once the drive arrives. If I run the Buffalo on 7.3.3 though will it talk to my duet which presumeably is running 7.4 software versions or will a downgrade to 7.3.3 be necessary for the system as a whole?

The problem with static noise was simply that I was testing it though some really old speakers, and they were responsible for the noise - sounds perfect on my proper speakers.

As for connectivity I'm still not happy with it so I've ordered a Netgear WNDR3700 which should hopefully boost the signal.

[bluegaspode]

If I run the Buffalo on 7.3.3 though will it talk to my duet which presumeably is running 7.4 software versions or will a downgrade to 7.3.3 be necessary for the system as a whole?

Depends on what you do with your system and if you need to switch to MySqueezebox.com for some reason.

Your controller will talk to your server and sees its a smaller version - it then asks you if you want to downgrade. If you do so and switch back to MySqueezBox.com (which actually you wouldn't need when having a dedicated server I think) it will ask you again to upgrade to 7.4.

I used a 7.4 controller some time with a 7.3.3 server and didn't realize any problems. It will ask regularly to downgrade (which you can cancel by holding the 'back'-key some time) but maybe that can even be turned off somewhere.

I will soon post how I got 7.4 on my linkstation but this currently involves taking out the harddrive of the linkstation.

[ChrisDavie]

Well I'm delighted to say it's working. The setup was a little fiddly, and there were moments when I was afraid I'd messed everything up but I now have my SB duet wirelessly working with my Buffalo mini when the PCs off which was the desired result. The controller was pretty insistent about downgrading itself so I let it do so. Connectivity isn't by any means perfect, especially when starting to play a new ablum but once an album settles down to play there are rarely problems. I'm hoping my new router/modem will help with connectivity somewhat when it arrives, although I'm in no rush to install it - I'm going to enjoy the system as it is for a while.

I'm thinking perhaps it might be an idea to try to set things up so that when the pc is on it uses the pc as a server and when it's not on it uses the Bufalo mini. I've no idea if this is possible, or wise, but I'll look into it I guess at some point - ideally when 7.4.x becomes available as a ipkg thingy.

Thanks for the responses - it's amazing how much confidence supportive comments can instill and I appreciate all the help.