Sonos \ FLAC library question

[T1berious]

Hi,

I'm hoping someone here can help me. I've been toying with straming some CD's and getting them shared so they are available via our Sonos setup.

Using EAC with some settings I've found of the web, I've ripped a few albums. I've copied them onto a laptop (No NAS as yet) shared the folder and got access to my library on the Sonos.

Woo Hoo! or rather oohhh...

I found them really bright even in comparison to stuff on Spotify, am I being daft trying to compare the rips played via Sonos to the CD Players \ Spotify tunes?

I'm guessing the CD players we have are a bit on the warm side of Neutral (Arcam CD72 and a Rotel RCD-951 (I think on the Rotel).

Just wanted to see if anyone else had similar views?

I've heard that via optical Sonos can sound a bit flat, not sure if I'm being mad

Cheers for your thoughts,

T1b

[Ewan S]

So the lossless flac format tracks sound a bit flat is that what you're saying?

In my experience the lossless flac format tracks sound better through the optical output into the amp, than the marantz cd player did. Are there some settings on the amp for the optical input that you can experiment with?

[T1berious]

Hi,

Maybe it's me then? I'm using the onboard DAC on a Denon AV amp (AVR-2805 I think?) for two zones (rubbish thing is Zone 2 isn't covered by the DAC), not too keen on getting a seperate DAC as SWMOB would kill me. The other amp is just a Denon amp from a mini system used in the Kitchen.

Cheers for the input though

[Bullett]

FLAC sounded better through the same set up of amps and speakers than the CD original in my case.
I also playback via a Denon 1910 optical and that sounds good as well. In my case the transport is Squeezebox but it should make no difference to the sound.

[T1berious]

Hi Toxic,

The CD players were connected using decent inter connects (van de hul \ Chord).

It's less of a flatness, more of brightness. I'm guessing teh comparison with the stuff on Spotify is a little oranges and pears.

I'm going to try a rip of reference CD and see how I get on tonight.

So in summing up, the flac rips sound a bit brighter, but I'm wondering if that isn't down to Sonos doing something to the output as it's sent wirelessly from bridge to connect?

Or I could be talking complete 4r53

[strudel]

Out of interest, what settings for EAC did you use?

[T1berious]

Hey Strudel,

I used the ones on this site.

http://forums.ffshrine.org/f63/updated-guide-setti...

Seems to be all ok, but I'm looking forward to trying it through a decent DAC and seeing if that makes the difference.

[T1berious]

Has anyone got a working config with EAC? (lastest version)

I'm noticing that with the settings I'm using that some files are wav!

Also some of the images are not showing up on my sonos library.

Any one got any tips?

Cheers

T1b

[hms]

I'm just going through reripping my cd's as they were all over the place.
EAC as standard rips to WAV, you need something to add the FLAC option. I use Autoflac which integrates with EAC. Insert CD, get tracks and artwork using EAC, ensure is correct then run Autoflac. Autoflac pops up a dialogue screen with options but I just OK that and let it run.
Autoflac give me an error message at the end, but all seems OK.
Artwork I get using EAC.
MP3 tag is what I use to correct any tags.
h

[T1berious]

I'm thinking of re ripping what I've done so far as well. I use the flac that came with EAC.

It seemed ok but I'll give Auto flac a whirl, you don't mid sharing your EAC profile do you?



Many thanks,

T1b

[hms]

Not a problem,
How do I do that?
h

[hms]

Found it, Done it.
PM me an e-mail addy and I'll send it over.
h

[hms]

Sent.
Hope it works!
h

[XB70]

I am in the process of sorting out photos etc to main drives and backup drives with the side project of converting all my CD's to a lossless format (FLAC?) to reside on an NAS so that

i) can be played through hifi
ii) will reside there as 'masters' that can be used to convert down to mp3's etc depending on where they are to be used (iPad, iPod, various tablets etc)

Is this EAC referred to above the recommended conversion program?

Cheers

[mike_knott]

I used EAC to do what you want to do. It is not the easiest program to use, but guides are available on the Internet, it is free, and it produces good results.

The main other option is DBPoweramp, but there is a small fee for this.

Note that you will also need a tagging program, an artwork downloader and possibly a file format converter. EAC is just a ripper, DBPoweramp does all three. (I have never used it, but it does come highly recommended).

I used EAC for ripping, mp3tag for tagging, foobar2000 for converting and (I think) 'Album Cover Art Downloader' for artwork. The cover art downloader was not hugely successful but any new CD's I buy (yes, I still buy CD's, rip them then assign them to the loft!) I get the cover art manually using Google images.

Mike...

[Bullett]

I use dbpoweramp and it's very easy, quick and accurate.
Tagging and artwork has been almost flawless.

[XB70]

Bullett said:

I use dbpoweramp and it's very easy, quick and accurate.
Tagging and artwork has been almost flawless.

I was about to post a question on whether there were any thoughts on that so thanks.

Looking at it, unless there is some reason why I should not, I think I may go dbpoweramp too. This can do a lossless conversion? (just wanted to check before downloading, although they appear to offer a free trial which is great)

[XB70]

I was having a read of this

http://www.audiostream.com/content/dbpoweramps-fla...

and seems that this is probably the way to go, especially if I can have an uncompressed "master" from which to make other variants for ipods, sonus etc as the gadget-fever takes greater hold.

I bought a WD-TV so hopefully can integrate all this with that and then out via my amplifier (an issue for another day!)

[hms]

EAC will also get track listings and artwork.
H

[Bullett]

I use FLAC with mine, it was one of the reasons I went with DBPA.