[ScottMayo]

I'm not about to get rid of my DVD/CDplayer (since it plays SACD and DVD-A), but it's time to get my 2 channel music moved to the network and start investing in network music players. I know folk here have experience with them, and I've got some oddish requirements, so I'm looking for suggestions.

1) Optical output. I want the option of using the DAC in my preamp, or an external DAC of some kind.

2) Wired ethernet connection. Wireless is a fine option, but won't be reliable in my stereo room.

3) The problem child: I don't really want to dedicate an always-on wintel system to this project. I've been in the computer industry for too many years, and I know that wintel boxes do 2 things well: break and crash. I do not need another smoke-prone box that sucks up power and pumps out heat. What I'd like to do is just have a NAS device with .wav files on it - NAS devices usually have some efficient little Linux implementation that doesn't crash, won't need virus upgrades, and can be locked in a closet without risk of melting.

4) If I use the device's internal DAC, I'd like it to do a good job. I'm seeing S/Ns of 90dbs listed; that's not so great.

5) Anyone Can: my son is autistic and unlikely to be patient with a difficult interface. It's has to be really easy to scroll through albums and songs. This might conflict with (3).

Any pointers?

[kfr01]

It sounds like a modded SB3 might be the ticket.

1)  Check (I'm sure the modders can keep this around for you, even though coax seems to be preferred).

2)  Check

3)  Check (slimserver avail. for linux and in perl source code)

4)  I haven't seen measurements, but my guess is that the PSU + analog mods clean the S/N ratio up quite a bit.

5)  SB3 seems to provide a nice large display.  Not sure how good browsing the folder structure is.

The price is right and you can surely resell a mint SB3.  Try it, if you like it then send it to a modder and work on a dedicated NAS device.

Note that I have no direct experience with the SB3.  I am currently using a regular ole wintel box. M-audio transit, optical out to dac/pre.  Winamp with ASIO and FLAC.  Ripped with EAC.  Output to T.V.  Winamp has a nice 2x zoom mode that makes it quite large.  Wireless mouse/keyboard to select songs.  

EAC is one reason you -may- want to stick with wintel serving the files.  (Or at least have a wintel box around for ripping).  It is regarded as the most accurate best at correcting errors digital audio extraction tool around.

[ScottMayo]

EAC is one reason you -may- want to stick with wintel serving the files. (Or at least have a wintel box around for ripping). It is regarded as the most accurate best at correcting errors digital audio extraction tool around..

I'm awash in wintel boxes, and have EAC. I'm even thinking of starting the ripping process now, so I'll have files ready to go when I get the NAS. That would be something.

[gitarretyp]

I'm awash in wintel boxes, and have EAC. I'm even thinking of starting the ripping process now, so I'll have files ready to go when I get the NAS. That would be something.

Just so you know, EAC runs fine in wine under linux. Here's a nice how to from the gentoo forums.

[mcgsxr]

Here is a link to a thread in AA, where some folks "unslung" a Linksys NSLU2 - http://db.audioasylum.com/scripts/t.pl?f=pcaudio&m=6466

lcrim put me onto this as an option, but I went with using my wintel box, as that is something I think I know I can handle...

[ScottMayo]

OK. I may have a winner:

http://www.infrant.com/products_ReadyNAS_X6.htm
and an SB3.

If anyone has experience (especially negative experience) with the ReadyNAS X6, or the SB3, please shout now. Slimdevices and Infrant both mention each other on their websites, and apparently they feel they have something good working, but I like hearing horror stories.

Also, I'm looking for feedback on getting the SB3 modded. Everyone knows I'm a audiocynic, so what would sell me is someone saying "Power cords don't change anything for me, cryo'd fuses and outlets all sound identical in my rig, but gosh darn it, the SB3 mods made a real difference."

[JDUBS]

OK. I may have a winner:

http://www.infrant.com/products_ReadyNAS_X6.htm
and an SB3.

If anyone has experience (especially negative experience) with the ReadyNAS X6, or the SB3, please shout now. Slimdevices and Infrant both mention each other on their websites, and apparently they feel they have something good working, but I like hearing horror stories.

Also, I'm looking for feedback on getting the SB3 modded. Everyone knows I'm a audiocynic, so what would sell me is someone saying "Power cords do ...

Scott, SB2/3 mods are done by both Red Wine Audio and Bolder Cable Company.....both have circles here.  

Regarding the ReadyNAS, I suggest you take a look at this:

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=pcaudio&n=7617&highlight=andy_c&session=


-Jim