I am new to MC so would appreciate a bit of guidance on how to setup my computer(s) for best audio playback. As far as I understand partnering win7 PC with JRMC14 (WASAPI enabled) should achieve bit-accurate playback and automatic sample-rate changes. However ideally I would like to use always-on Windows Home Server (WHS) for playing music on my hi-fi. Hence the questions:
- Does WHS support WASAPI and if not – what’s the best way to setup MC for bit-accurate playback on WHS?
- If WHS box is directly connected to DAC do I need to install server version of MC or only client version should be sufficient?
- What are the options for remotely controlling MC playback on WHS?
Thanks in advance
I have WHS in the house (but it's in the machine closet in the basement) but I use three MC workstations - all of the them running WASAPI locally and all of them simply stream the content from the WHS..and do the bit perfect playback at the local workstation. No need to ever connect directly to the server.
WHS is about as far away from a normal OS that there is - it's simply not designed as a music server or HTPC kind of OS so getting it to act as one will be difficult. Also - getting the best sound to the DAC requires a good pro level audio card - which WHS will most likely not play nice with.
The best solution is to use WHS for what it's designed for - being a dedicated, "out of the way" headless server and let it store all your media - music, pics and videos. Then get a dedicated PC with MC onboard to stream all that delicious content to speaker, widescreen or monitor as needed.
Cheers!
VP
Author
Topic: MC14 & Windows Home Server setup for best audio quality (Read 1580 times)