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Digitalmeisters - Thoughts on Olive.....

Just starting to think about using a music server. I don't want to use a laptop, but a dedicated music server. What is the experience out there with the gear from Olive products across the line. Will I need an external DAC for the type of quality I am use to (most recently I've been using Accustic Arts and EMM Labs). What are the alternatives that function similarly in terms of storage, interface, and DAC. I am a complete novice to this music server approach, so I just want to learn as I start getting my mind around the whole new approach (relatively new) to digital playback.
pubul57

Showing 3 responses by kbarkamian

kbarkamian
647 posts
 
The Olive stuff looks very tempting. My Rega dealer said he has a customer who bought one and compared it to a Rega Apollo in the shop. The Apollo was better, but it was close. That means something coming from a guy who lost a sale IMO. The customer kept the Olive, I think it was the 4.

I've stayed away due to all the bugs I've heard about their software. They have/had a forum, and there were a ton of complaints. Amazon sells them, and there's a ton of complaints there too. Very few complaints about sound quality and mechanical reliability though.

Have you considered something like an Apple TV and external DAC? Very cheap and easy to use. Install iTunes, rip CDs as Apple Lossless, store them on an external hard drive, and you're done.

Sonos makes great products too, as does Logitech (Squeeezebox).

Many people like using a Mac mini as a server. Haven't tried it personally.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
The Bryston BDP-1 seems like an excellent piece of gear. I own a Bryston B60 and am a huge fan of their philosophy. The BDP-1 is expensive, but they followed a cost no object, sound quality over convenience approach. No wireless, no internal storage, etc. It simply plays digital files that you connect to it - ie thumb drive or hard drive.

What you could do is rip your CDs, save them to an external hard drive, then simply plug that into the BDP-1 and yoy're good to go. Well connect a DAC, then you're good to go.

Bryston is expensive, but more than worth their price IMO. They're a no-nonsense company that admirably stands behind everything they've ever built. I've dealt with them to upgrade my B60 and just some general questions. Great people. If it fits your budget and criteria, I highly recommend them.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
Nonpoint -

Pkubica said it far better than I could have. Other than his reasons, wireless isn't perfect - there's dropouts, lag, noise from it, etc.

The best I've heard is thumb drives connected to DACs that can play them directly, or through a player than accepts them. Naim's DAC sounded far better tis way than any other way, yet the inputs were all bit perfect. One or two others were the same way, but I can't recall what they were.

I have not heard the Bryston BDP-1, so I can't say this is the case with it. I'd be very surprised if it were not though.
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