How to get Hi-Fi sound on your PC
Anyone reading this article can always download some MP3 songs and listen to them simply by connecting a pair of multimedia speakers to a computer. There is nothing wrong with that, but you should always know that you can get higher quality sound on your computer. We spent a considerable amount of time studying this topic, and as a result, we got high-quality music playback on the computer, in quality corresponding to the sound of a CD player.
What are the benefits of using a computer to play music?
Comfort
– On a computer, you can create a well-structured music collection.
– Thanks to tags, you can search and sort music by artist, album name, genre, etc.
– Create playlists to listen to your favorite songs.
– Synchronize with portable players
– Use simultaneously in several rooms thanks to DLNA technology
DLNA
DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a standard for data exchange between any AV device connected to a home computer network. It allows one device to work with another, transmit audio or video streams over the network. DLNA may become as mandatory a standard for AV devices as TCP / IP has been for the global web.
To receive the DLNA logo, a product must pass the necessary certification, which ensures that devices from different manufacturers can work together.
DLNA terminology
1. DMS – Digital Media Server – a digital media server, a device that contains music and video
2. DMP – Digital Media Player – a digital media player – a device that plays music or videos
3. DMR – Digital Media Renderer – a device that plays music or video, which can be controlled by a remote control.
4. DMC – Digital Media Controller – Digital Media Controller – Render Software Control, works like a remote control
Resolution
Audio CD recordings have a 16-bit, 44.1 kHz sample rate, which complies with the Redbook audio standard. Modern audio recording is done with a 24-bit bit depth and a sample rate of 44.1 to 192 kHz. But, even a 24-bit / 96 kHz recording cannot be played with a CD player, as this bit rate is not compatible with the Redbook standard. Before recording a high-resolution phonogram on a CD, you must reduce the resolution and dithering to 16-bit / 44.1 kHz.
You can play high-resolution audio on your PC if your audio system (DAC) supports it. Otherwise, the audio files can generally be played automatically by reducing the resolution to the bit rate that your audio system supports.
If you plan to buy new Hi-Res Audio equipment, keep in mind that it must support at least the 24/96 format.
The catalog of high-resolution phonograms available for download on the Internet is not very large yet, but it is constantly growing.
Downloading files from
Internet CD is gradually disappearing. People buy less and less CDs, download music files. Most of the websites offer MP3. Gradually, the bit rate of music files grows, as Internet speed increases and the cost of network storage (in terms of a storage unit) decreases. Lossless music formats are not yet widespread, but their availability is growing by the day.
Back up
For true collectors with a large collection of music, this collection is of great value, tangible and intangible. Unfortunately, in the event of a fire, you can lose all your music CDs. However, in the case of music files, you can play it safe and store a copy on another server away from home.
Sound quality
This aspect is very important for music lovers.
For example, a laptop alone is not designed for high-quality audio playback. You can check it out for yourself, just take the headphones and plug them into the corresponding output on the laptop. In very rare cases, the sound quality may be average.
When organizing a modern computer-based audio system, you can use a decent sound card or USB-SPDIF converter and connect your tested DAC digitally, or connect the USB DAC directly to your laptop. Sound quality can be very high. Your computer can play just as well as a CD player.
Choice
In general, when creating a modern audio system based on computer technology, you can choose one of three options. It is a PC audio, music server or network audio player.
