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
sballs
23 posts
 
Keith,

Your post is right on the money. I desperately want to upgrade my digital frontend but don't want a new CD player... hi-rez downloads are what I'm looking for. I find it hard to believe that there are so few choices for an all in one solution in the $1000 - $1500 range. I suppose the new Olive 3hd is an option, but no wifi or digital out... really? I hope that companies that normally play in the $1000 to $2000 range answer the call soon (perhaps Cambridge, Rega, Music Hall, etc).

SB
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
Bryston is releasing a digital player (not sure what to call it), the BDP-1. I don't think it streams music, I think you connect a hard drive via USB - regular or thumb drive. It's kind of hard to describe. Google search it for info. It'll cost $2100.
mcmprov
57 posts
 
You could just get a Logitech / Slim Devices unit modded by someone such as Boulder Cable. I have not tried it, but I bet this would be a great and simple way to go. I have a Wavelength Audio Brick. These can be had used for $750 to $800 and are upgradeable to 24/96 for $250. I found it to be plug and play.
barnes
45 posts
 
Olive Just released a New 06HD this week. Anybody heard it??
vivaslb
34 posts
 
I would not go for anything Apple, because unless you already have another Apple device (iwhatever), you are stuck with them forever. Without starting an Apple vs. PC flamewar (I happen to be a Linux user and outside that fray), I think a simple Olive device (no connection with them) may be better, because it looks better in a living room than two small boxes. I don't know how it would sound but they use passive cooling (no fan). Olive also streams from any computer (I asked them), and is Linux based so you are not tied to proprietary formats.

Apple doesn't support FLAC which is a great lossless format that supports tagging.

The Olive products do seem a bit expensive though. Cambridge Audio has a new product NP30 but I am not sure whether it actually stores music locally, but it can read from an attached (via USB) HDD.
More to discover