[david12]

 Apologies if this is an obvious question, answered before. I think my next digital step has to be Streaming, but as a near retirement post war baby boomer, my grasp of technology is'nt too strong and space is limited in my listening room.

  I will be losing flexibilty and the ability to upgrade later, but will I be losing in the bang for my buck or £ stakes, by looking at a one box server/Dac combo, such as Olive?

   Any views on this and other brands to consider, would be welcome, thanks.

[Vincent Kars]

I can imagine the concept of a one box who does it all appeals to you.
But what is inside?
Simply a PC (running Linux most of the time) and a sound card.
I must admit I have problems when looking at the hardware to justify the often rather steep price tag.
A silent PC combined with a high quality sound card or an outboard DAC will probably:
-equal most of these dedicated boxes in sound quality
-offers a better interface
-at a lower price.

Anyway, if you are interested in Olive this is a must read:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1091695
Brands: Google a little on “music server” or try this one:
http://www.whathifi.com/reviews/home-digital-media-devices/music-serversclients

[HT cOz]

I own a Bolder Modded Musica and I run a Squeeze box on a two box solution.  I have to say that the two box solution is actually easier to run.  A few questions.  Do you have a computer?  How big is your music collection?  Do you have a home network?

[david12]

Thanks for the replies. I do have a home PC, not networked and I can do the basics on it. Currently I have about 1300 CDs, but am interested in exploring High Rez downloads.

  If 2 box can be easier, that's fine. Looking at the contents of this circle, discussing App downloads, the problems of connecting server to Dac, perhaps having a streamer as well, it all sounds a bit intimidating.

[Vincent Kars]

By design a streaming solution requires a home network.
This is a bit more complex than direct playback using a PC.

An obvious one is that if you want to rip your CDs, download Hires, you need a PC anyway to maintain your collection.

Personally I’m very happy using a dedicated PC for audio.
Using dbPoweramp for ripping and conversion.
Using JRiver as a media player.

The onboard audio of a PC is in general not top.
If you want to explore Hires, you need an audio system capable of resolving subtle details.

I solved this by using an outboard DAC.
So my setup is pretty simple, easy to control (JRiver) and excellent sound quality (outboard DAC).

[catastrofe]

I recommend you take a look at Sonore (www.Sonore.us).  It's not a true streaming solution as your files are played from the integral hard drive, but you can transfer files to the HD over your network.  This allows a lot of flexibilty for file management and remote backup.  Give Jesus a call or drop him an email, he'll discuss various options and is more than willing to share.

[eclein]

I like the options I have using several components-(1) Squeezebox Touch - inexpensive but provides excellent sound quality and ease of use. (2) External DAC- Flexibility of cost anywhere from say $300 to $3000 or more and can make the component synergy approach happen. (3) Those 2 components matched up with however connectivity to your system presents itself give me the greatest amount of options.

 Convenience, Ease of USE, Pure lounging approach to enjoying my music is the way for me!!!

[pardales]

I like the options I have using several components-(1) Squeezebox Touch - inexpensive but provides excellent sound quality and ease of use. (2) External DAC- Flexibility of cost anywhere from say $300 to $3000 or more and can make the component synergy approach happen. (3) Those 2 components matched up with however connectivity to your system presents itself give me the greatest amount of options.

 Convenience, Ease of USE, Pure lounging approach to enjoying my music is the way for me!!!

Me too! I have been wanting to try something besides a full-on computer for months and finally decided that I would give the Squuezebox Touch a try. I got it from Amazon yesterday and had it fully set up and making music in about 30 minutes. I also have my hard drive connected to it via the USB port and with the iPod/iPhone app it is awesome! I love all the internet radio and really seamless playback of my music collection.

I haven't had it long enough to gauge overall SQ compared to my previous set-up but I am smitten with the ease of use and overal interface.

[TomS]

Depending on the budget you might consider the Bryston BDP1. It does not require a server at all since USB drives with files on them can be plugged directly in and it takes care of the rest. You still need a DAC so it is a 2 box solution, but much simpler and easier to understand than managing a separate file server. You would still need to rip files somewhere (on a PC or Mac) to fill the USB drives.

[david12]

this really is very useful, even if some of it is still incomprehensible. The link to the Olive user group discussion is very good, thanks again.

[Phil]

the learning curve is steep at first. 

the Logitech Touch it a streaming + dac device, but you can also use its digital output to connect to a separate DAC (so it has an "upgrade" path).  It can be used with a wireless connection or wired via ethernet (sounds much better wired).  The Touch was my introduction to streaming and it isn't too hard to set up and is inexpensive for what it does. 

if you haven't ripped your CDs, this guide might be helpful:  http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Computer-Audiophile-CD-Ripping-Strategy-and-Methodology

The Bryston BDP-1 is basically a digital transport with a connected USB hard drive.  In that sense, it isn't a music streamer.  It does "stream" internet radio but not as easily as the Touch.  The BDP-1 is connected via ethernet.  For best sound, the Bryston is the clear choice IMO.  In fact, it improved my system by a wide margin.

Above all have fun,

Phil

[bzr]

  Heres another that does hires up to 32/384
http://www.sgraudio.com.au/Products/players/musickube.html

[JLM]

With your existing PC you can rip, back up to a hard drive (always a good idea), and then disconnect the hard drive and plug it into a Logitech Touch as Pardales stated. 

As a big plus, Bolder Cables does various mods and power supply upgrades to take the Touch to a very high level (and it does HD).

However, discs aren't dead yet.  If you want to add DVD, blu-ray, or 3D you'll need a "real player".  Look at the high end Oppo 93/95 universal players.  Pandora and video downloads are possible along with hard drive input.  And the Oppo's will play almost any format with no ripping.

[david12]

All right guys, you've convinved me. The answer seems to be a separate PC or laptop, feeding a DAC with asynchronous USB input. If necessary, I can pay someone to help me set it up, it will still be cheaper than getting an Olive 4 or6.
  Thanks again for your help.

[Doublej]

All right guys, you've convinved me. The answer seems to be a separate PC or laptop, feeding a DAC with asynchronous USB input. If necessary, I can pay someone to help me set it up, it will still be cheaper than getting an Olive 4 or6.
  Thanks again for your help.

Good choice. If you run into trouble the royal we at AudioCircle should be able to help you out. If you can get the machine connected to the internet there's PC remote control software so that someone can work on your machine from far far away. I have used teamviewer (free) to work on machines 800 miles away. It's much more efficient than trying to work over the phone.

[squalor]

I hope you guys can suggest something for me. Here's my set-up. I have a 42" lcd (I'll get back to you on it's inputs and outputs) Nakamichi TA-2A receiver that was hit by lightning(power amp is fine, pre is dead), DIY BlHorns w/Fostex, wireless router, 30 gigs of MP3 and FLAC, DVDshrink movies, Dish 622 DVR

I tried the TVs RCA out to the amp but the TV's remote does not control volume using these. PC sound to the power amp produces hum, it didn't when I could go to the preamp section. A source like my Walkman radio or smart phone works well enough into the Nak's power amp.

So we're stuck listening to the TV speakers if we want remote. The WIFE must have remote. It would be great if I could use the TV as a volume and source selector if I could get audio out control on it. It is what we listen to 90% of the time, I like Jazz Cafe. I think the TV is this one. If so, it has digital out. If I can't tame the audio out maybe I could get a DAC with remote volume preamp built in. Also, I thought about the Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player
or Logitech Touch to serve up my collection but don't know if they have volume control. I do have many computers and parts laying around, including a AverMedia card w/ co-ax out, FM and remote.

Is there a CHEAP media player with preamp functions that can solve my issues ?

[cliffy]

Squalor,

You can check your TV setup options.  Some times the audio output can be a selectable "variable" or "fixed" in the audio setup menu.  I could not download your TV manual from the Best Buy link you provided but its worth a quick look.  You also might look at your cablebox for this as well if you use one.

[squalor]

Opps, I have a Dish 722. Another restriction on me is space. The solutions must be less than 15"w-5"h-15"d to fit the TV stand. cliffy, I studied the cable box (sat receiver in my case) and find it too limited as a source selector. I DO have headphone out on the TV so that may be a temporary solution for me but not as clean as I want. Garbage in ~ Garbage out; that's why people want a DAC in the first place right ? More & more, I think the solution to my dilema is a DAC / headphone amp. I hope to buy a Sony XDR-F1HD tuner to replace the tuner part of my dead receiver and send it's output to the TV also.
Muse DT-50A Talk about a one box solution, this little Muse could fit the bill for someone. Two RCA inputs, USB DAC input, Volume  w/ Remote control, headphone out and 50W x 2 T-amp . But I need Toslink input.