My new media PC

[glynnw]

I'm posting these pictures because they seem to fit in with the retro look of some of our gear. For some insane reason, I decided to build a media PC inside an old Kolster radio box.  The box was quite beat up with some wood stains I couldn't hide (looks like someone used a strong chemical to clean the face back when this was a radio) so I didn't mind cutting it up.  When I found it on ebay, it had been turned into a child's chest and had just the dimensions I wanted.  While everyone else seems concerned with building as small a server as possible, sacrificing CPU power for low cooling requirements, I wanted to use a quad core processor with low speed fan cooling.  This was so much work I will never do it again.  Using SSD for operating system and music on a 2 TB HDD.  While I have no plans to use it for other than music, it is connected to my big screen so I can control all of it from my listening chair using J River software.  One big bonus is that now I can play internet music with the video on the TV and the music thru the good stereo.  There is some great stuff out there and it sounds good thru a good system.

 

[denti alligator]

Nice!

Can you tell us how you've configured the PC. I use J.River, too, and have been thinking about making changes to both hardware and system to improve SQ.

 

[intojazz]

That's a great Look!
John

 

[Grainger49]

The "built in screen" seems to have some wrinkles in it.  Is that your screen saver?

Seriously now, I like the wood.  An excellent use of classic old wood.  Is the stain the one in the lower right corner?  It isn't bad at all.  Makes it look retro.

 

[glynnw]

As far as setting up J River, I followed the advice of Gordon Rankin on his DAC site.  At some point I read that the best playback option was "Wasapi Event Style" so I currently use that and specify to play back from memory.  I am not a very discerning listener when it comes to digital changes.  I have tried several of the audiophile players and they all sounded similar.  I prefer this one because it is easy to use, provides super easy tagging changes, etc.  I only wish it would look up lyrics on request while a song is playing.

As far as blemishes in the wood, yes Grainger, that dark spot is one of the problems.  But also on each side of the center picture of the child the wood looks like it has been bleached - it really shows under some flash picture conditions but looks fine in real life. 

I like the look of this so much that now I want to refinish an old piece of furniture to hide my gear in (install fans where necessary) and put the PC on top of it.  With a little planning I can turn the search for that piece of furniture into some wonderful goofing off -  it could take months.

 

[howardnair]

glynn that is a really nice idea--in the second or lower pic what exactly are we looking at

 

[glynnw]

I needed to install an interior panel across the top to make the case airtight, so I recessed it down so it is about an inch below the closed lid on the top.  When you raise the lid you see a leather covered panel on each side of a panel veneered with lacewood.  Into this veneered panel I recessed a fan speed controller, a slot-load DVD/CD unit and a small panel with 2 USB ports as well as a mike and headphone jack. 

 

[earwaxxer]

As far as setting up J River, I followed the advice of Gordon Rankin on his DAC site.  At some point I read that the best playback option was "Wasapi Event Style" so I currently use that and specify to play back from memory.

I give Gordon much credit for being an honest scientist in pursuit of truth. He was one of the first to 'admit' that the sound of the USB protocol (at least in the early stages) was very dependent on good cabling. I think this has been largely solved at this stage (largely through USP to S/PDIF converters ex. Off-Ramp). I would (hope) that other PC/MAC related hardware issues would be solved with it. I would like to switch, or seriously try USB, but if I have to worry about what kind of hard drive I have etc, thats a deal breaker. I remain skeptical, but open.