[D-Dan]

Yeah, I read the wiki entry, but watching it is still some kind of stoned hell.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

I learned to program on an IBM 1966, then upgraded to a 2966 when I went to BAe. IBM mainframe and COBOL. Happy days 🙂

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Dumped all AV years ago, but y’know, locked down Linux.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

CeX seem to be decently priced for laptop RAM. May be worth a look.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Thanks, whilst I suspect not affected in the slightest, I checked and noticed one of my SSDs (both Crucial) had out of date firmware, and since I use Linux, I had to get the bootable iso to update, which is tiny and not interactive.

I also didn’t backup, so scared the living crap out of myself whilst I set it off to update.

Fortunately, all went well and the drive is updated and fine.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

keith with the teef wrote:

Onkyo A9010B

For £199 new it does look rather nice. As it happens, I have an audiophile friend who’s promised to have a look at what he has, and I may be able to get an analogue amp FOR FREE 🙂

If not, I’ll re-visit this.

Oh, and there’s no ground lead on the turntable, so I’m going to do some searching to see if it can be modded. If not, well, I guess I’ll spend more money on a new one with a ground and full calibration (rather than the rather static deck that this is).

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

OK, simplified script.

#!/bin/bash

if [ ! -f /tmp/turntable ]; then
echo "1" > /tmp/turntable
pacmd set-source-output-mute 0 1
fi

exec 3<> /tmp/turntable
read <&3 mute
exec 3>&-

let "mute=$mute-1"
mute=$(echo "$mute*$mute" | bc)
pacmd set-source-output-mute 0 $mute
echo $mute > /tmp/turntable

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Damn – trying to format – where’s the damned preview?

/etc/pulse/default.pa

and echo $mute can be left out – debugging leftover.

And yes, the script could be simplified by setting the mute to abs(mute-1)

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

I had it going through audacity – which is how I knew it was possible, but too much effort for just playback. Now, I have it hooked up permanently via rear USB. Now, problem two was, after configuring pulse, there was an audible buzz through the speakers if the turntable wasn’t playing (not noticeable when it’s playing), so step two was to set up a toggle switch on my cairo dock to enable/disable the passthrough.

Anyone else on Linux with a similar setup (unlikely, I know) but here goes.

In /etc/pule/default.pa add:

load-module module-loopback

Then fire up pulse audio volume control (pavucontrol) and set the loopback input in the Recording tab to the turntable input, and set the loopback output in Playback to your speakers.

That gets it working.

The script to toggle (and so instantly mute, or just get rid of the silence buzz) is:

#!/bin/bash

if [ ! -f /tmp/turntable ]; then
    echo "1" > /tmp/turntable
    pacmd set-source-output-mute 0 1
fi

exec 3<> /tmp/turntable
read <&3 mute

exec 3>&-
echo $mute
if [ "$mute" == "1" ]; then
    pacmd set-source-output-mute 0 0
    echo "0" > /tmp/turntable

else
    pacmd set-source-output-mute 0 1
    echo "1" > /tmp/turntable
fi

You’ll need to verify the index of your loopback (in my case, 0)

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Oh, and to respond to the cleaning bit – 99.9% isopropyl alcohol all the way, but FFS, don’t drink it.

It is amazing at cleaning grease, and will not eat the plastic.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

OK, Audio philes. I’m trying to lay my hands on a (free) analogue amp, but in the meantime, I hit on a fresh idea. Using pulseaudio on my desktop (5:1 audio) and USB out from the turntable, with some minor configuration, I can take the audio from the turntable through my PC to my desktop speakers (far superior to the Creative BT speakers I was using, and with the SUB, way better).

Now, I believe that USB audio is superior to other digital inputs, but is it as good as pure analogue (or to the point where I wouldn’t notice), or am I still looking at an analogue amp and some good analogue only speakers for the best (to my aging ears) sound.

Testing shows that the vinyl to PC via USB is superior to mp3, but will I get discernibly better?

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

It was ported a while ago, but flakey at best (I tried it). Raspbian is just fine, since it’s officially supported.

But thanks for the thought.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

keith with the teef wrote:

Here is an interseting way to store media. Not by Blu Ray Not By Vynil.

Not so sure. Store music with a singer with perfect pitch hitting high C, and bang goes your storage 😉

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

blacklion1725 wrote:

I get the preference for vinyl – but doesn’t bluetooth defeat the object a but by digitizing the audio on the way to the speakers?

You’re right, and whilst trying to ensure that Alexa and the turntable can use the same speakers without too much trouble, I’ve gone with wired from the turntable and BT for Alexa, so best of both worlds, now.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Ed P wrote:

or with something that was positively dangerous to your setup.

Ahh, you mean

sudo rm -rf /

NOTE – DO NOT DO THIS.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

I was desperately hoping for a Wales v England final. Leanne, being Welsh and passionate about rugby, and I would have had some storming disagreements 🙂

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Not to be a pedant, but a MB has nothing but the firmware on it. You’d need a drive and/or a case with a product key sticker.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Just saw your reply, Dave, so sorry for the delay.

I agree that apt based systems in particular can be hit and miss with updates (and Debian will always be behind other Debian based systems).

However, I use Arch (with testing repos active), so I’m about as cutting edge as Linux gets, being a rolling release and most software pulled from upstream as software gets updated.

For this reason, my single line is more than adequate. OK, there will be breakages, but in 6 years, never anything I couldn’t fix, though as I get older, I’ve also taken to a complete timeshift backup once per week.

It does, however, update everything to pretty much the latest available every time I update.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Dunno what to say – the download itself during the update process took an age, so there was clearly a lot more than registry changes going on, and this despite the unactivated install being fully up to date. Perhaps I just got unlucky with a major update at the same time (and there was a complete version bump involved – now 1903).

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[D-Dan]

Try using a clipboard manager (https://www.tecmint.com/best-clipboard-managers-for-linux/ for a selection), that way, you can see what exactly has been copied.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[Author]

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