Help with the move to digital server

Check out the Olive 4HD music server (http://www.olive.us/products/olive4hd/overview.html) with 2TB of hard drive, digital output that you can run into your Esoteric DAC, and music management software that can be accessed through the touch sensitive screen on the unit, external display thru HDMI, and remote iPhone app. It has a 24/192 Burr Brown DAC on-board but with your Esoteric at hand, I would certainly bypass it and use the Esoteric. Here's a post (http://audioaficionado.org/digital-music-servers/2958-olive-4-hd-house.html) from a recent owner on Audio Aficionado (another forum) that goes into detail about his experience with the unit and he compares it to his McIntosh music server and SACD player and found very little difference.

I believe this is the best on the market
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtltran&1268683831&/MSB-iLink-Music-server-excelle

You do not have to get separate iPods for different music styles- you con sort by genre or make playlist of virtually any kind. If your set up has a digital input and your computer has a digital out your all set. Well, I guess you'll need a coax or a toslink too. Or you can stream using a myriad of products, apple airport to name one. Just download iTunes or media monkey or J-River or whatever you want for software and you'll be set. And amazed. Lots of info here on the PC Audio section of discussions.

I think anyone looking to move into the digital audio streaming game should at least look into the PS Audio PWD/Network Bridge/Digital Lens/iPod Touch control app.

Perusihg the 'conputeraudiophile.com' website should help you a lot here.

there are many options, sort of confusing when you really start to digest it all! much depends on your level of comfort with computers and related gear. i have found that the easiest starting point are the logitech line of squeezebox products. they are near plug and play and can give you sound that will top spinning discs (depending on how you use them, related gear and such). given the rest of your stuff, i would get a transporter and a good digital cable. do you have a network with storage in your home? that will determine the next step...

I'm at a loss as to why anyone would buy an iPod for a home music server system if given a choice?! The mean time before failure of an iPod drive comes a whole lot sooner than a good, full-sized external storage device with good venting/cooling. I'd recommend going with a MacMini and an external hard drive with a backup of same, as opposed to iPods and Wadia. From there there are many good choices. I use a Modwright Transporter and love it.

I agree with Jax. Don't bother with the ipod unless you need to take it with you. A mac mini into your DAC would work great and be a lot more flexible and fun to use than an ipod.

Thanks so much for all your input and ideas. The Olive HD4 looks like it would work best for me. I love the idea of a Mac MIni but then what do I do for a screen. I have my system integrated into my library (18x18 w 10 ft ceiling, nicely decorated, very well damped and a great room for listening). I even have all the cables routed under the floor and a separate 30 amp line and two 20 amp lines under the floor with holes for the power cords. So I don't want to have the room take on a tech look. The Olive looks like it would be perfect, easy to operate, and I love the digitizing service.