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MBA project - audiophile computer transport

Folks,

I am taking a class in new venture creation next semester and I am an audiophile.

With the increased popularity of computer based audio I surmised that there might be a market for an audiophile grade computer designed to work with a USB DAC. In other words is everyone perfectly satisfied with a Mac Mini? Or would you be interested in any of the following:

- IEC connector and built in power supply
- front panel display with artist, track or cover flow
- solid state drive
- upgraded power supply
- noise suppresion
- 19 x 2 with face plate form factor
- PCI cards for adding TV tuners
- dedicated video card superior to that of a Mac Mini
- front panel controls to play, pause, skip, access playlist menu.
- blue ray player
- upgraded USB output(not sure what could be done here)

It would probably have to run Windows unless I could convince Apple to let me OEM OS X. I am a huge Mac person but I would not be optimistic.

Could I make money building such a box or is the Mac Mini all anyone needs?

Amit
defender1844

Showing 2 responses by shadorne

shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,491 posts
 
Amit,

My suggestion for your new venture is to modify an etch-a-sketch with a brushed steel fascia, wooden knobs and vibrapod feet. Your specifications will claim that your new audiophile PC is pure analog magic and completely free from all ground loops, noise and jitter. When an audiophile complains simply take six months to reply and when they finally get hold of you tell them to reboot their computer ;-)
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,491 posts
 
The wmv files have a tremendous loss of dynamics, both
micro and macro.

Sounds like something is wrong. It might be digital volume control from your
software - digital volume control is notoriously bad - in many cases bits are
adjusted without dither.

Try this: Make sure you computer audio volume is set at max or UNITY gain.
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