Advice buying a Music Server? Just Olive 4HD?

In order to get the best out of a music server, you really need a DAC, unless you're spending a lot of money on something like a Sooloos.

I was looking for a similar solution to what it sounds like you're referring too. I didn't want my computer constantly running, and didn't want to stream wirelessly - I didn't want drop outs, lag, and interference.

I bought an Apple TV. The model being phased out right now has a 160 gb internal hard drive, optical output, can be controlled by either an iPhone (which I use), iPod Touch, or an iPad. Music takes a while to sync initially, but adding a new CD here and there doesn't take very long.

Downsides to it - you need a DAC, 160gb isn't a ton of memory, and it doesn't play high res. I have my CDs ripped as Apple Lossless. About 350 or so CDs have my hard drive at about 3/8 or so filled. I have no high res music, so no worries for me.

I just sold my Rega Apollo and am waiting for Rega to release their DAC. Word on the UK streets is sometime in October. Hopefully it'll be here in the States shortly afterward. I'm currently isn't an old Theta Cobalt 307 DAC which is surprisingly almost as good as the Apollo. The Apollo grooves a little better, but the Cobalt actually does a few things better than the Apollo.

The Rega DAC is supposed to be better than the Saturn and will retail for $995 if that makes it enticing.

Thanks for the feedback, it sounds like the market is still in the early days and that separates [player + DAC] are still the deployment of choice in the <$2K range.

Has the Mac Mini been an issue for the noise it throws? My Macbook is pretty noisy with its cooling fan, and I was a bit concerned about background noise using a Mini approach would be noticeable at low volume levels.

best,
Keith

The Minis are very quiet even up close, I recommend that route. Headless Mini + iPad + external drives. With an Airport Extreme you can have multiple external drives in another room and stream wirelessly. It works great, no noise, no dropouts, no lag, no interference. I can stream from the basement to the second floor with no problems.

Plus you have an iPad to play with. With the mini you can upgrade it as needed and run a variety of programs on it such as iTunes, Pure Music, Amarra etc, You have something that holds value and you can sell or keep for other purposes if you decide to change your plans later. You can use USB, toslink, or firewire DACs with it. Other computers can share the drives if you want to play music on other systems.

With a dedicated server you have a dedicated computer that locks you into their software and will be obsolete and basically worthless at some point.

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I just got an appleTV too, the one with a 160GB hard drive is on clearance for $150 shipped. Unbeatable! I control my tunes with my iphone, but you can buy ipod touch and have a great user interface (using the remote ap) without the need of computer, or optionally, use the computer and send the tunes to appleTV. I think it sounds good playing my apple lossless files, but I'd like to add a DAC later to take it into "hi-fi" territory.
Since the device is small and controlled over wi-fi, I've just hidden it behind a piece of furniture and run a set of interconnects to the rack, you don't even see it!
I synced it over ethernet the first time and it took only two hours or so. When you add or remove music or art to your main computer they'll get synced over wi-fi automatically, and it's pretty quick.

The downside for me is that it's really tied into the itunes software universe, if you don't like that program then it's not a good choice.