2. pc-audio
  3. 1285114989

Advice buying a Music Server? Just Olive 4HD?

Hi All,

I have a custom tube preamp/amp and a Rega Apollo for my CD collection. It is wonderful, but I dream of having my CDs all ripped onto a simple and quiet device, that wirelessly synchronizes music from my macbook when I rip it / download.

I do not want a Squeezebox + DAC [I do not want to have to use a computer with my stereo and I do not want two components, just one simple device].

I do not want a RedWine Audio IPOD, although this represents almost what I need [easy music synching with my library of Apple lossless files, easy UI, improved acoustics, etc.]. Here the sound is not quite what I want, and the storage is limited by the iPod.

It seems like the Olive 4HD is the only thing out there that has plenty of storage, WiFi for easy music synchronization, and high quality DAC componentry. But $2500 seems crazy.

I don't need the Olive CD transport [I can rip on my macbook]. I don't need internet radio. Is there really no $1000 solution to this problem? The Olive 3HD just makes me think that I'll want a better DAC, so please don't point me there.

Thoughts?
thanks,
Keith
kbigelow

Showing 1 response by edgejazz

edgejazz
46 posts
 

The software converts the AIFF to Apple lossless before it streams it and the AE coverts it back to 16/44.1.

Herman, could you elaborate a little bit on how AE does any conversion, if any at all? AIFF and Apple LossLess are both 44.1kHz/16-bit resolution but their data transfer rates differ, perhaps this was what you were referring to.

Kbigelow, I agree with earlier recommendations, the AppleTV+DAC+contoller (iPod Touch, iPad, or iPhone) is an excellent solution at a very comfortable budget even if you buy a new iPod Touch (lowest model, 8GB) to use as remote control. This solution is perfect for those who may not need a NAS at this time, perhaps because their CD collection is not that large yet (maybe <500). 160GB can get you a long way even at Apple LossLess or AIFF formats.

I use Sonos for a music server system but also have an AppleTV dedicated to a television setup and it's great device as a music server as well.
More to discover