Radio Collector's Afficionado's Resource

Inspired by the “Creating an Audiophile Music Server” blog, I set up a user-friendly music server that I may control from my main listening room. Using my Sony PSP as a remote, I may play, pause, skip any song on any album in my iTunes library.

Overjoyed with this new freedom of musical whim and access mixed with hi-fi, the family broke into two spontaneous dance parties over the weekend. Toddler_o_Geek loves the Jaxx.

I never listen to music in my listening room anymore. My CD collection is still upstairs in the bottom two drawers of our TV armoire; when I want an album, it’s never at hand. I tried playing my iTunes library through the Xbox. Having to wait for the Xbox to boot, then XBMC, switch on the whole video system (projector, AV Receiver) then wade through my long playlists was too much of a hassle. I necessitated a better system: access to all my music through the main hi-fi system.

Audiophiles and Stereophile prefer Slim Devices’ Squeezebox 3 ($299) with Bolder Cable Mods (~$700) run through a nice DAC (Musical Fidelity XDACv3 plus PSU ($1400)) for the most eminent fidelity music server. Add all that instrumentation up and you’re hitting $2500.

I didn’t want to spend any cash on this project (as my wife likes to remind me, “We don’t have any money.”). I necessitated to repurpose instrumentation I already owned. The following list illustrates the end-to-end instrumentation necessitated for my basic music server to hi-fi system.

Equipment Chain:

1. Remote: Sony PSP firmware v 2.7 with Coverbuddy web UI

2. Music Server Hardware: Mac Mini, 300 GB USB 2.0 external HD, Linksys Wireless G Router

3. Music Server Software: iTunes, Synergy, Coverbuddy

4. Airtunes: Airport Express with Digital Optical Toslink Output (Monster Optical Cable with mini-jack adapter) (Stereophile review recommending digital output)

5. Digital to Analog Convertor (DAC): Onkyo TX-DS989 AV Receiver

6. Preamp: Rogue Audio Magnum 99 Preamp

The system allows access to all my music through my hi-fi scheme without a noisy computer in the same room.

Check back for future posts with how-tos on Mac setup, hi-fi system rewiring and listening tests and dance parties.

American Hi Fi

AMERICAN HI-FI American Hi-Fi (2001 US 13-track CD album developed by Bob Rock [Metallica the Cult] digipak picture sleeve)

• Amazon Sales Rank: #46492 in Music
• Released on: 2001-02-27
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

American Hi Fi Image

American Hi Fi Picture

American Hi Fi Photo

American Hi Fi Photo

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful.
A diamond in the rough
By Rex Marksmanson
When most rock fans hear the name American Hi-Fi they think one thing, untalented. How do I know this you say? Simple. I was one of those people, until I got to hear American Hi-Fi’s debut album. It’s easy to understand why some would think this though, being that the first single “Flavour of the weak” does not really do the band justice. Now, don’t get me wrong, I now think “Flavour of the weak” is a great song, but it took a few listens through the album for me to realize that.

American Hi-Fi brings something back to rock that has been missing for years, plain and simple rock n’ roll. By taking the sound of 80′s metal, pop punk and grunge (thats right, grunge) they have created one of the most refreshing sounds on the scene in years. And, unlike many bands today American Hi-Fi sticks to the basics of guitar(s), bass and drums. No more, no less.

The album itself is…Do I dare to say it? Yes, it is a masterpiece, an absolutely flawless record. It’s one of those albums where almost every rock fan can find something they like, even if they dislike the rest of the album.

By working with legendary Metallica producer Bob Rock, the band has made one of the clearest and most organized sounds to date. This contrasts what some rock albums are today, either over or under produced, and disorganized.

Personally, I wish more people would give American Hi-Fi a chance, and stop being stubborn. I felt the band was just another cheap, marketed, one hit wonder, until I heard the album in it’s entirety.

A refreshing album by a talented band, hats off to American Hi-Fi for this one.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
There’s no more room for pretention in alternative music!
By A
I am soooo sick of people trying to say that you can’t like something that’s not totally original and outre. Not everyone can start a revolution; there will never be another Nirvana. So get over it! I LIKE this kind of music, and there’s nothing wrong w/ liking bands that have similar sounds/focuses. Why the hell do you people think genres develope? American Hi-Fi’s songs are catchy and SAY something, which there detractors have yet to do. Every time I hear “Flavor of the Week” on the radio I crank it up and sing along, and isn’t that what’s really important? ENJOY music, don’t worry about what critics may say, because the critics aren’t you. Bottom line: I’m gonna buy this CD, and I suggest you do the same.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful.
All-Around Hit
By A
I just bought this CD yesterday, and I haven’t been able to stop listening to it. When I first heard their single “Flavor of the Weak”, I absolutely loved it, although it kinda reminded me of other bands (like Newfound Glory and Blink-182). But when I listened to the CD, it had a sound completely its own. It has a full, mature sound to it, and can range from serious and edgy to fun and cheerful to slow and sweet. One thing that surprised me about the album is the lack of swearing. Although is has a warning on it, only 3 songs contain any “explicit lyrics”. I would definitely recommend this to anyone into rock or punk.

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