[DrManny]

Hello, i am a newbie to NMT.
How can i play flac audio files with HDX1000.
when i navigate to flac files it shows exclaimation mark and file not found.
i can play by browsing to folder and then i have no navigation

Tony at HDX said to re encode all files...i have almost 500gb flac files i ripped.
is there a better way

please advise
DrManny

[markushk]

Hi

I have a large FLAC collection as well and I get about 20% which will play correctly.

I would recommend buying a SqueezeBox3 (not the Duet) for playback. It seriously is worth buying.

I have been told there should be no difference in the quality of the output of the HDX, by someone who I assume who came across as being very authoritive on the matter. This however seems quite remarkable advice as I *can* hear a difference and even between the SqueezeBox 3 and Duet (I have both) and the HDX using digital output. I eventually found that there is a technical difference in the slimserver forums.

If you have 500GB of FLAC and you really want to re-encode you could use Exact Audio Copy in batch mode. I personally wouldn't as why would you ever want to down-sample!

Regards
Markus

[mmccking]

Markushk, can you elaborate on the difference you heard? Which is better? I'd be interested to know as well.

thx

[tosehee]

If you use the digital output, it's "digital". There is no difference. The only difference you would hear is if the SB is functioning as DAC.

If both devices output the signal to external DAC, you would get the same result, given that both device can transfer the bitperfect solution.

[markushk]

For a good understand of the differences I would suggest reading the comments by Michael (of SlimDevices) in this thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=991049

In summary, it depends upon the devices internal CPU capability. SqueezeBox 3 is less powerful than a Duet which is inturn less powerful than a transporter. The transporter is audiophile grade (and has a price to match) but its seriously impressive.

I suspect the HDX is processing somewhat lower than all three of these players as to my untrained ears I can hear a distint difference. Maybe this is just a software limitation which possibly can be overcome in the future, maybe not, but at the moment its only capable of playing my lowest bitstream flacs at wht I percieve to be a lower quality.

I personally prefer the SqueezeBox3 in their lineup. It looks fantastic, its rock solid and the interface is extremely polished... and yes I do think the Duet sounds slightly better but I regret not buying a second SqueezeBox 3 instead.

On the HDX/popcorn hour, you cannot search by genres, artist, title, year as well as playlist (pre-compiled or made on the fly), random (in each of the prementioned categories or in combination) amongst many other options. And if your hell bent on getting a Duet you also see the album art. On the HDX/popcorn hour I have been only able to play the current title or a complete folder. As far as I am aware you cannot even play in a random order.

I would highly recommending reading a few of the online review or even watch a webcast to get a feel for the product. Its a really good product.

Markus

[DrManny]

Originally Posted by markushk Hi If you have 500GB of FLAC and you really want to re-encode you could use Exact Audio Copy in batch mode. I personally wouldn't as why would you ever want to down-sample! Regards Markus

Markus, what do you mean by re-encode, rip the cds again with EAC or will EAC re-encode the flac i have.

thanks
Manny

[Emanresu]

Mark, I find it amazing only 20% of your FLAC files play. I'm using an Egeat, and

have never experienced any problem with the 50 or so albums I have in FLAC.

I was very close to switching to the HDX1000 for the DTS downmixing and

fanless design, but if there is some difference in the software, or implementation

that causes a problem with FLAC playback I'd have to reconsider.

Sound quality wise, I use an external dac, and have no complaints.

( I know 50 albums isn't a lot, but had intended to rip my entire collection to FLAC )

[markushk]

Originally Posted by DrManny Originally Posted by markushk Hi If you have 500GB of FLAC and you really want to re-encode you could use Exact Audio Copy in batch mode. I personally wouldn't as why would you ever want to down-sample! Regards Markus Markus, what do you mean by re-encode, rip the cds again with EAC or will EAC re-encode the flac i have. thanks Manny

Hi Manny

I'm at work now but I suspect the flac encoding software which allows you to reencode is Foobar 2000. I think I got my freeware confused.

After much trial, I now use EAC for all my encoding and Foobar for audio playback on my PC.

Regards
Markus

[markushk]

Originally Posted by Emanresu Mark, I find it amazing only 20% of your FLAC files play. I'm using an Egeat, and have never experienced any problem with the 50 or so albums I have in FLAC. I was very close to switching to the HDX1000 for the DTS downmixing and fanless design, but if there is some difference in the software, or implementation that causes a problem with FLAC playback I'd have to reconsider. Sound quality wise, I use an external dac, and have no complaints. ( I know 50 albums isn't a lot, but had intended to rip my entire collection to FLAC )

What application did you use to rip your files? I am currently using Exact Audio Copy V0.99 prebuild 4, although I have tried so many applications now I have lost track of what I ripped each album with.

Another good place to understand the differences is at FLAC's homepage where they also have a writeup on the Squeezebox http://flac.sourceforge.net/links.html

Regards
Markus

[Emanresu]

Markus, I'm on a Mac, and used Roxia's Toast 9 Titanium. However I also have

FLAC files obtained from other sources whose heritage is unknown, and they also

play without issue.

The only thing I can think of is my Egreat is using the original firmware, so it's two

or three behind now. Did they stuff something up with the newer releases?