[Regalma]

I have recently dumped my SB Touch for JRiver. It sounds better and I got fed up with the erratic SB behaviour. One too many late night failures. Right now I am using my laptop and a Droid pad as a remote. It works great but I would like to get my laptop back on my lap. I need a small PC that runs Windows and can be put into sleep mode and capable of Wake on LAN, something my laptop won't do. Of course WiFi. I am using USB output so I don't need S/PDIF. Any recommendations.

[HAL]

Are you looking at building it yourself or purchasing a ready to go system?

[Regalma]

I could be persuaded to build it myself if there was a good enough reason, not just cost. But would prefer a ready made one.

[HAL]

Here is something I built for a few folks.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=98467.0

[chip]

Otherwise here are  some barebone options http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=309&name=Mini-Booksize-Barebone-Systems
...add a hard drive and OS and your good to go.

Foxconn will be releasing these sometime soon if you are not in a hurry - http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/03/foxconn-fanless-pc/

Also VIA is releasing some small mini products soon as well.

[Regalma]

HAL looks promising, what is the power consumption in sleep mode? I don't care so much for when it is on. It is the the rest of the time.

[mitch stl]

I bought a Foxcon barebones R10-D4 Atom computer on Amazon. It was $120 plus $30 for 2 GB memory and I used an existing hard drive. In my case, I'm running Vortexbox software (Linux based which includes a player) but you could certainly install MS Windows if you wish. It has plenty of USB outputs and an open PCI slot if you want to go the soundcard route.

In short, very flexible. It runs 24/7 without a hiccup. It does have a fan, but it's very quiet (and I don't keep the PC in the listening room anyway) and it's very low-energy use. The case is quite small and goes either horizontal or vertical.

I'd suggest taking a look.

(PS, I've had a Touch for over 2 years and never had a problem. I also have a SB3 and had a SliMP3 prior to that, going back about 10 years, and never had a problem with their stuff. I follow the slimdevices forum closely and the only consistent problems I've heard of involved those who insisted on using the Touch as a stand-alone device with its internal server, directly using an external USB drive. Sorry you had issues.)

[MttBsh]

HAL - I read with much interest the linked thread about the great sounding music servers you built a few months back... have you stopped making them? The thread seemed to just end at the beginning of the year.

I've also been investingating the servers offered here
http://shop.smallgreencomputer.com/CAPS-20-with-SOtM-Digital-Interface-CAPS-SPDIF.htm

There are some very exciting developments underway in computer audio

Matt

[HAL]

I will see if I can make some measurements.  I typically do not put it in sleep mode.  The normal consumption is around 24 watts.

The AC Industry Section was closed down.  No one can post in the thread.  I still make the MS-1 if folks are interested. 

[chip]

There is also -
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/441-sotm-sms-1000-audiophile-music-server-review/

[Regalma]

Thanks for all the input. I think I'll wait for the Foxconn. I forgot that I want HDMI to take full advantage of JRiver.

[eclein]

HAL can you drop me a PM when you get time with info on your builds.....perfect timing.....I want to go the small size route and run whatever Vortexbox version is happening now....something I could throw a burner in or attach it to and add a or several USB Hardrives etc....cheap but efficient and well made/thought out....Thanks in advance! Ed

[HAL]

Just for reference the MS-1 does have HDMI output and an ION 16 core graphics processor. 

Ed, will PM you.

[Bob in St. Louis]

Zotac ZBox. 

[Regalma]

HAL - good about the HDMI. I will definitley consider you. Hate to give my money to Foxconn.

[HAL]

HAL looks promising, what is the power consumption in sleep mode? I don't care so much for when it is on. It is the the rest of the time.

Just found my P3 Kill A Watt.   According to it, the MS-1 uses 24 Watts maximum during operation.  In sleep mode it is 16 Watts max.  I do not have JRiver or JPlay to see what the power consumption might be with those running.

Hope this helps. 

[michaelhigh]

I have recently dumped my SB Touch for JRiver. It sounds better and I got fed up with the erratic SB behaviour. One too many late night failures. Right now I am using my laptop and a Droid pad as a remote. It works great but I would like to get my laptop back on my lap. I need a small PC that runs Windows and can be put into sleep mode and capable of Wake on LAN, something my laptop won't do. Of course WiFi. I am using USB output so I don't need S/PDIF. Any recommendations.

I use a Gateway refurb I paid $300-some for, it upsamples to 24/192 with a Realtek high definition sound card and carries about 600 gigabytes of audio. I use (totally free) JRiver 14 Media Jukebox (recently coming from MediaMonkey which worked fine) and would like to try the Android pad trick eventually. In the meantime I surf my collection from my couch with a wireless keyboard and mouse and a 37" Vizio!

[planet10]

Notgoing to win any price wars, but a MacMini running Windows is small and high quality.



dave