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
kbigelow OP
2 posts
 
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
herman
2,220 posts
 
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.

.
tobuns
28 posts
 
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.
kbigelow OP
2 posts
 
Thanks everyone! It sounds like the AppleTV + DAC is a good foray into a music server for the near term [1-3 years].
All my best,
Keith
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
The Apple TV makes things very easy IMO. Its the most enjoyable thng I've done to my system in a very long time. I'm sure you'll be very happy with one.

Get a good DAC and an iPod Touch for a remote, even if you're OK with a TV in the room, and you're good to go.

Hopefully Rega's DAC will be out soon!
More to discover