[JLM]

OK, here’s the challenge:

Budget, not to exceed $5,000 USD for the complete system sans amp/speakers.

System to include: TV; mini mac; dual outboard hard drives; DAC; software; keyboard/mouse; whatever cables/rack/stands.

Functions: light duty computer use (high speed surfing, spreadsheets, word processing); watch high def satellite fed TV (not much into movies); high-end audio from my material or streaming (my top priority, mostly classical/jazz at moderate levels but want deep/solid bass)

Set-up: a 8 ft x 13 ft x 22 ft audio man-cave; near-field listening (ala Cardas); front wall (TV screen) would be 10 feet away (need to able to read text)

Questions: what would you currently recommend for a total techno-idiot old fart?

TIA

[Atlplasma]

You might start by prioritizing what is most important to you. For me it would look like this:

• Speakers
• Display
• DAC
• Amp or Amps
• Mini
• Drives and everything else

If you decide you want a pair of Salk SongTowers, for example, that would take up about $2K. But if you've got to have the HT2-TL, that more like $4.2K. So what are your priorities?

[JLM]

Thanks Atlplasma for the response.  I've modified the OP to exclude amps/speakers as I'm set on those.  So that leaves screen, software, DAC, cables/rack, and drives.

With two drives reliability shouldn't be a big worry.  And I don't foresee ever filling a 1 TB HD (at least with music).

BTW since my cataract surgery I have 20/20 eyesight (for reading text on a screen 10 feet away).

[Nels Ferre]

.  And I don't foresee ever filling a 1 TB HD (at least with music).

I used to think the same thing. Storage is cheap. Get a 1.5 or 2TB drive (and at least one more for backup) and you will be set for a while.

[Atlplasma]

On screens you find lots of people who prefer plasma or LCD. If viewing angle is a consideration, plasma is the way to go. Either way, i would buy the largest set your space and pocket book can handle.

On the Dac side, you need to think about resolution. If you are interest in playing back high resolution material, you'll need a dac that can play that music natively.

People have strong opinions about cables. I suggest you go with a cheap but good source like monoprice to start. You can always experiment from there.

Don't forget to factor in a good surge protector, however.

[Atlplasma]

Nels is right about the storage. I just ordered a twin 750 gb raid enclosure (but am sending it back because of noise issues).

As an aside, I remember thinking I would never fill the 10 mb drive on my first computer. 

[Nels Ferre]

As far as monitors, I don't know much, nor do I care. I love sound, to me a TV is a TV. We have a Sony LCD that is fine, my in laws own a Sony LCD (again, fine) and as well as a Vizio (ditto.)

One thing I would recommend is to get something with multiple HDMI inputs. We don't have that. We use our only HDMI input with our Mac Mini (streaming video from Netflix, Hulu, and downloading rentals from the iTunes store.)

If we wanted to add a Blu Ray player, we would need a switch box, and an extra cable, which makes things more complex to use- not for me, but for her. Thankfully, we are happy with the picture resolution we have.

[eclein]

Atplasma has good advice there,

 Cables you can play with after the fact, I was looking at kind of doing this same thing a few months back, mine is much more basic. I sit 6-8 feet from my 46" LCD flatpanel and copy can be hard to read so I agree with you on giving that serious consideration-as far as what type of screen displays copy etc. the best ask or maybe a home theater installation guy will chime in.

 Its easy to fill up 1TB, 6 months ago I said I'd never fill mine and I have barely any left now, one you start hearing good hi-rez computer files you'll want more and they take I figure close to 1GB per standard album depending on resolution. You want a hybrid Home theater PC that you can do work from also...are you firm on the Apple choice, I picked Windows because I'm familiar with the platform.
 
 A comfy chair is important also, work and relaxation combo chair...have fun!!

[JLM]

Well I have a great chair/ottoman, but am computer DUMB!!

I understand that the mini is killer for audio and it has a HDMI port, so I assume it will allow a TV to be used as a monitor and will play DVDs, right?

What about blueray (or whatever will come out in 2012/2013?  Will a mini play bluray?

Can I use the mini to control volume without impacting the sound?

We have a whole house surge protector and all appliances are less than 8 years old.  We built this house 6 years ago in a small rural neighborhood with underground electrical service, so we have our own transformer, all 12 gauge/20 amp circuits, and no heavy industry on our regional substation.  The 3 A/V/computer electrical convenience duplex receptacles are 20 amp/hospital grade/cryo'd and each is on their own circuit, but shared a common grounding rod.  I've heard power abberations, but never at home.  And I have a computer surge protector, so I think we're set on that basis.

I have a Sony LCD, but have never put blueray through it.

Lately I've been using custom cables from Scott Endler (really high value and I'm old school enough to not want to spend serious coin on wires, but I regretfully can hear the difference).

So what's a good hi-res DAC?  I'm currently using an Eastern Electric stock DAC via its AES/EBU input, but USB is it's weakest source.  I like what I read about the db Audio Tranquility, but as I understand it converts hi-res to redbook, right?  How about the $350 USD Hegel HD2?

And what about hi-res software for the mini?

Brands for cheap/reliable HD's?

And I need to keep all this really simple, easy, and idiot proof.

[srb]

So what's a good hi-res DAC?  I'm currently using an Eastern Electric stock DAC via its AES/EBU input, but USB is it's weakest source.  I like what I read about the db Audio Tranquility, but as I understand it converts hi-res to redbook, right?

And what about hi-res software for the mini?

Since you already have the EE MiniMax Tube DAC, if your high-res only goes up to 24/96, you can use a decent quality Mini-Toslink to Toslink optical cable.  If you need/want resolution up to 24/192, you can add a 24/192 USB to S/PDIF converter.  The M2Tech HiFace at ~$150 and the Musiland Monitor 01 USD* at ~ $75 are the value price leaders, and they tend to go up fairly rapidly from there (M2Tech Evo, Audiophileo 1 & 2, Wavelength WaveLink, etc.). 
 
I would expect some more high quality but reasonable 24/192 USB to S/PDIF converter offerings in the near future.
 
For a music player, Channel D's Pure Music player (works with iTunes as the database, but replaces the sound engine) is a good deal at $129.  http://www.channld.com/puremusic/index.html
 
Steve
 
 
* Edit:  Musiland Monitor 01 USD not compatible with Mac OSX

[Nels Ferre]

Apple does not support Blu Ray, and never will, in my opinion. They get serious coin from high resolution downloads on the iTunes store, they aren't about to support high resolution physical media. We have downloaded "high def" movies here, and cannot tell a difference between that and the standard picture. Me, I'm not surprised, but living with a woman with a degree in graphic arts who is an artist her own right as well as a movie buff- if she can't see it it doesn't exist. She can't see it.

The Mini plays DVD's just fine.  If you want Blu Ray, you will need a stand alone Blu Ray player. Check out the Oppo players- great bang for the buck. this will give you true HD video.

Do what you want but I wouldn't dream of trusting my system to a whole house surge protector. I went with Belkin, there are lots of great choices. My biggest concern is the guarantee, not only for the protector itself, but for connected equipment. About 10 years ago I came home from work and my entire system was dead. Fortunately, the protector took the hit (and the manufacturer replaced it free of charge.) My system was just fine.

As far as hard drives, I am a big fan of Western Digital. This means nothing. I also refuse to buy an American car or motorcycle, but prefer American speakers and turntables. In the end the most important thing is to have a backup plan and schedule. All hard drives fail- it is a matter of when. I make 2 backups of my hard drives monthly- and store one off site, in case of fire or theft.

As as far as the recommendation for Pure Music, I will second it, but throw out an alternative: Fidelia, Fidelia doesn't have anywhere near the user interface of Pure Music, but sounds great. A basic license is $20.

As far as a DAC, I would probably go with a Neko Audio D100 MKII ($1495.) I wrote a review for Enjoy The Music which was not entirely positive on the basic version ($1295.)  The MkII addresses my concerns. It also comes with a money back guarantee.

The recommendation for the HiFace is seconded as well. Mac OSX (the operating system) will not pass a signal higher than 24.96 via Toslink. The HiFace will also improve performance on everything you listen to compared to Toslink. No matter what you do, do the HiFace.

[satfrat]

Apple does not support Blu Ray, and never will, in my opinion. They

Who cares? Not the OP who clearly stated in his 1st post "watch high def satellite fed TV (not much into movies)". A Blu Ray is not applicable in this situation so it should have no bearing in an Apple system for the man. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[Nels Ferre]

Who cares? Not the OP who clearly stated in his 1st post "watch high def satellite fed TV (not much into movies)". A Blu Ray is not applicable in this situation so it should have no bearing in an Apple system for the man. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

"What about blueray (or whatever will come out in 2012/2013?  Will a mini play Blue Ray"

Put your shirt back on. I was just answering the OP's question.

[srb]

Nels Ferre,
 
Put your comment after the ending {/quote} tag.
 
Steve

[satfrat]

Put your shirt back on. I was just answering the OP's question.

Apologies, my bad. 

[Atlplasma]

The Hegel DAC is sounding interesting--especially for the money.

[JLM]

Thanks for sharing all your wisdom, but I'm still back at the train stop.   

So you can use a HDTV as a monitor (connecting to the mini via the HDMI port)?

How would the satellite box connect (into mini or TV??)?

So there's no sound degratation using the mini to control the volume?

I can use my existing computer surge protector (in addition to the whole house one), right?  Will that have a negative effect on the sound if everything is plugged into it?

Is the Channel D Pure Music and Fidelia hi-res compatable?  Which is easier to use and more future proof?

What's HiFace?

What digital cable format/brand is recommended?

With an EE DAC in hand, possible Bolder Cable killer mods for the EE DAC, and the dB Audio Tranquility that has gotten raves with the mini (plus the intriguing Hegel HD2) why would I want to try the Neko Audio D100 Mk II?

Oh, I also need DEQ software capability, recommendations?

Yes, I asked about BluRay.  But I suppose that and 3D would have to be done from a separate machine.  I'm currently "slumming" with an old Oppo in my main rig, so I'm familar with them and like them.

Again, TIA

[Atlplasma]

Short answer on flat panel as monitor for mini is yes.

On the box, not sure since I didn't use one with my setup. But I think you need a monitor with more than one hdmi input. That way you can plug both into the monitor. I can't see a reason to plug the mini into your sat box.

I've heard negative things about using itunes for volume control. I would feed your mini into a receiver (or preamp or buffer) and use that device for volume control.

Your computer surge protector should be fine. Just keep in mind that they do not last forever. If it's ancient, consider a replacement.

Both Pure Music and Fidelia play back high rez. I've read that Pure Music has the better interface. (It is simple.) I would go more with which one sounds best to you and not worry about future proofing.

The Hiface is a device that allows you to connect USB on a mini to an rca cable (or even bnc connector). Many dacs do not support high rez over usb. The Hiface allows you to connect the mini into a high-rez compatible input.

Cables? I'll let someone else chime in.

If you have an EE DAC, I would stick with it for the time being. Most owners seem to think it is killer for the money.

DEQ? I'll let someone else answer this.

Steve