[ehart]

FLAC isn't mentioned on the link posted.  It would be good news if it is coming.  I do think the point of these boxes is that they are all-in-one, so most of us will want the compression on the box.

By the way, if there are any Olive owners following this thread, I would love to see answers to my separate posts concerning remote control of the Olive! (hint, hint).  Those are the sort of details that are hard to figure out from spec sheets.  Perhaps I'll just have to order one with the 30-day return and find out.

- Eric

[PeteG]

I didn’t realize these were all-in-one players with hard drives, than to me it would be important to have some kind of lossless built in.

Pete

[woodsyi]

As Jim stated, there is something to be said for converting FLAC to WAV before feeding it to one of these music servers.  I was playing with Foobar with ASIO and SRC upsampling and found that it takes more processing power and larger buffer to run FLAC than WAV files.  I haven't heard enough to notice any difference once music gets started with optimum setting for each but there is a point in foobar setting where it plays WAV files flowlessly but chops up FLAC files.  Both were being fed wirelessly from a remote NAS.

[ehart]

Yes, the all-in-one aspect is very nice.  Fits in your cabinet, computer doesn't need to be on, allows the wife and family to play "one-off" CDs just like a regular CD player (no ripping required), and allows recording your old vinyl directly to digital.

Also can act as a "squeezebox" type device, as Jim as doing, but presumably that is a secondary function (since the squeezebox is cheaper).

Overall easier to use, more like the CD player it replaces.

[John Casler]

Yes, the all-in-one aspect is very nice.  Fits in your cabinet, computer doesn't need to be on, allows the wife and family to play "one-off" CDs just like a regular CD player (no ripping required), and allows recording your old vinyl directly to digital.

Also can act as a "squeezebox" type device, as Jim as doing, but presumably that is a secondary function (since the squeezebox is cheaper).

Overall easier to use, more like the CD player it replaces.

As far as the SqueezeBox comparo, the OLIVE units also have a companion called the SONATA.

The Sonata is a "wireless" receiver and remote control, that can be taken and connected to any system in your house and connected via a "digital or analog cable(s) and will allow you to control the "main" unit (OPUS/MUSICA/SYMPHONY) to listen to any of the sources, such as a CD, the HD, or the Internet Radio.

I am under the impression, (although it is not explained well onsite) that you can listen to different sources at different locations.

That is, maybe the HD on the main system, the CDP in one room, and then Internet Radio in another (each remote location requiring a SONATA to both receive the signal and control everything)

[Wayne1]

I received a couple of the Olive Musicas over the weekend.

The chip used for all A/D, D/A features is the Analog Devices AD1981B

http://www.analog.com/UploadedFiles/Data_Sheets/87560554AD1981B_c.pdf

This is the same sort of all-in-one chip used in computer soundcards.

I was able to do a little work on one of them. I ran some "N" series Black Gates direct from the line outs and line ins to their respective jacks on the back. I removed the op-amps after the chip.

The caps do need some time to break-in. I can say that running the output direct does improve the sound of the unit.

At this point, it does not sound anywhere close to a BOLDER modded SB through the analog outs. I have not tried the digital outs. I have not done any mods to the power supply section.

The hard drive is clearly audible 10 feet away. It is not as loud as a Comcast DVR but you can hear it. Dampening the top case may help things.

The display is VERY small. there is no way to see what is playing more than a couple of feet away from it. The remote volume control does not have any indication on the front panel. It also will not raise or lower by just holding the buttons down. You have to hit the control separately for each volume step.

As a SB user for over a year, I find some of the things about the Olive rather frustrating.

I can see where a one box solution could be a simpler set up for some folks. At this point, I do prefer the SB and separate computer.

[ehart]

Thanks for the good info!

It's unfortunate that the DAC is not better quality in the Musica.  While you can use an outboard DAC for playback (and it sounds like many audiophiles would) you have to use the internal DAC for recording from vinyl (there is a digital output, but not a digital input).  The ability to record from vinyl (without dragging preamp and turntable to the computer) is a key selling point, at least for me.  

Per my recent call to Olive, the upcoming OPUS has a much better output DAC, but no changes on the input side.  If this is accurate, then recordings on the Opus (which also has no digital input) would be no better than on the Musica.

As for the volume control on the remote, this is not a problem for those of us who would use this as a CD player replacement.  We control volume at the preamp.

Thanks again for the info -- there's substitute for listening, and not many have actually heard these yet...

- Eric

[kbuzz3]

Wayne

thank you for posting your initial impression on  the Olive.  Given the limitations you mentioned, I was wondering if you have had an chance to take a look at the cambridge model server.  Wonder if anyone has one for wayne to experiment on as an alternative.  

As someone who uses a wayne/bolder modded oppo transport every day, I would interested in what a bolder server could do. FYI sonically, the oppo overachieves everyday.

A curious platform to mod yes...but the end results into my meitner dac are wonderful

[Wayne1]

Wayne

thank you for posting your initial impression on  the Olive.  Given the limitations you mentioned, I was wondering if you have had an chance to take a look at the cambridge model server.  Wonder if anyone has one for wayne to experiment on as an alternative.  

As someone who uses a wayne/bolder modded oppo transport every day, I would interested in what a bolder server could do. FYI sonically, the oppo overachieves everyday.

A curious platform to mod yes...but the end results into my meitner dac are wonderful

I have looked at the SB, the Olive and a small Sonus. The Sonus would require LOTS of money in mods to get it to sound close to the SB. There is a switching power supply right next to the analog section, spewing RFI everywhere. The analog section uses a great deal of surface mount electrolytics. Testing of these caps show they aren't too bad for PS use but they are not very good for passing audio.

If someone has a Cambridge server and wants an evalution, I would be happy to look at it. I am rather biased towards the SB but I will give an honest opinion.

So far, these all in one servers look to me to be a fanless PC in a nice case with some very good software already installed. The Olive uses a CD drive from a laptop and the same sort of output chip found in a soundcard.

The stock PS in the Olive IS a bit better than most PCs.

[Robert57]

I auditioned the Cambridge Audio Azur server at RMAF and was fairly impressed with it. It hasWolfson DAC's, like the well regarded Cambridge Audio and Arcam CD players. Unlike the Olive, the Cambridge Audio has a video out so at least one could display the graphical interface on a PC or TV monitor. I vaguely recall that one  must periodically download the entire universe of updated CD track info and  tags from CA, but I don't know how well this works in actual practice. I would worry about obscure CD's not having the track info. I also likes the advertised ability of the CA to access a networked HD or RAID, allowing easy back-ups and sharing with a larger library. Unfortunatley, its front LED dsiplay is also tiny and very hard to read from five or more feet away . But as all-in-one solutions go, this would seem to have some attractive features compared to the Olive, particularly if it could handle Apple Lossless and FLAC. I'm not sure if it can digitize analog sources (vinyl). I also do not know how audible the spinning drives would be from a few feet away. I hope this helps.

Wayne, did you happen to look at the small satellite Sonos receiver/player, without the digital amplifier built in?

Rob

[gnev]

FLAC isn't mentioned on the link posted.  It would be good news if it is coming.  I do think the point of these boxes is that they are all-in-one, so most of us will want the compression on the box.

By the way, if there are any Olive owners following this thread, I would love to see answers to my separate posts concerning remote control of the Olive! (hint, hint).  Those are the sort of details that are hard to figure out from spec sheets.  Perhaps I'll just have to order one with the 30-day return and find out.

- Eric

I received a Musica for demo last week (I am a Washington state dealer if anyone is interested. I'll pay shipping). It does record to FLAC format. The stock out of box was WAV I think. It was easy to change. Now when you put a CD in, you can record with one button press "import" to FLAC format.

The sound quality seems very good stock, but modded units with an external DAC are probably the ultimate long term solution.

The remote is where I think they missed the boat. Although nicely featured, it should have had the same screen that is on the front of the unit. So you could sit in your listening chair and browse through your 500 CD's. If you have to get up to view what you are doing, it is not a whole bunch different from replacing the CD in the drive of a conventional player. However playlists and shuffle plays are an option.

I found the Hard drive on my unit to be very, very quiet. The CD spinner is the noisy part. When it is recording the CD the spinning was audible. Once you remove the disc and play from the hard drive my unit was very quiet.

[Vinnie R.]

The remote is where I think they missed the boat. Although nicely featured, it should have had the same screen that is on the front of the unit. So you could sit in your listening chair and browse through your 500 CD's. If you have to get up to view what you are doing, it is not a whole bunch different from replacing the CD in the drive of a conventional player. However playlists and shuffle plays are an option.

I found the Hard drive on my unit to be very, very quiet. The CD spinner is the noisy part. When it is recording the CD the spinning was audible. Once you remove the disc and play from the hard drive my unit was very quiet. ...

Hi gnev,

Olive mentioned to me that they are working on a software update that will allow you to use a wireless PDA with built-in LCD screen as a remote.  I agree with you about this and for me this would be something that I would want as well.

I also asked them to include the volume setting on the screen when you change the volume, say for a second or two and then have it disappear, just like the SB's.  They added this request to the software update list.

Regarding the built in hard drive, I have found them to be pretty quiet when playing.  The CD-drive is also quiet when playing, but not silent when ripping CDs to the hard drive.  

One of the mods that I offer is the appication of sound/vibration deadening material to both drives AND the top cover.  This quiets things down CONSIDERABLY!  

Have fun!

[Wayne1]

Robert,

I looked at the Sonos ZP-80

[gnev]

Well the PDA would seal the deal for me. I really like my demo unit and see it as finding a permanant home in my rack.

I consider myself a computer guy, and I have never gotten around to building the music server SB2/3 system. The simplicity of the Olive unit is really a big plus. Especially for those that arent really computer folks.

And if modded like RW offers sound quality can really be pushed to state of art level.

[ehart]

Hi all,

Great info here.  A few comments:

-- The FLAC discussion had to do with the Cambridge unit, which currently does not offer it (but may in future)?  The Olive definitely advertises FLAC.  Just in case there was any confusion.

-- Regarding the power supply, the Opus is supposed to be considerably upgraded from the Musica.  Too bad Wayne hasn't seen one of those yet, I'd like to get his comments!

-- I'll look more into the Cambridge.  If has better audio output, offers vinyl input, has FLAC forthcoming, and supports 3rd-party IR remotes well, I would consider it a strong alternative.

- Eric

[scott_man]

The Olive sounds like a nice unit.  However, it is a bit pricey, I don't like the "closed" system, and I have a single disc player that is at least on-par with this unit.

Having said that, I would like to move to a digital music server -- but, I just want the music server -- I am willing to rip my CDs on the PC using EAC and then compress with FLAC... I just don't want to turn my PC into an always-on dedicated music server...

Could someone point to me a thread or threads that discuss/recommend a simple always-on networkable music server that could be used with SB2/3?

Thanks.

Scott.

[Dr. Krull]

Could someone point to me a thread or threads that discuss/recommend a simple always-on networkable music server that could be used with SB2/3?

Thanks.

Scott.

Search the SlimDevices forum for 'NSLU2', 'ReadyNAS' and Network Attached Storage.

-Krull

[woodsyi]

Scott,

Olive does offer convinience that is very attractive to those who do not want to deal with PC ripping.  Having done my due diligence (usual amount of frustrations and banging of head) for an average male PC user in the 40s to set EAC, wireless network, and NAS with Slimserver plugin set up,  I fully empathize with those who do not want to bother with the PC route and go with an Olive unit.  But once you get everything to work, it seems so "straight forward" after the fact, that you think it insane to pay hundreds of $$$$ for it. I imagine this is the way DIYers feel about buying components.   I can also use the NAS music server with different platform like EA off ramp.  

Here is a good deal on 1 TB unit that works well.  With Slimserver plugin, your SB can access it wirelessly (through wireless router) anytime without your PC on.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833329005R

[Gordy]

I received a couple of the Olive Musicas over the weekend.

The display is VERY small. there is no way to see what is playing more than a couple of feet away from it.

I'm a little slow, so you may have already found this... When trying to read the screen from a distance just double push the menu button. The first push returns you to the main menu, the second enlarges the script enough that my 53 yr. old eye bones can read the menu from 10 feet away!  You can then click right to artists / albums / songs etc.... sweet, I needed that  

[tubesguy]

Folks -

Just thought I'd alert those interested in using an external USB hard drive with the Olive that the external drive must be formatted as a FAT32 drive. Please don't do what I did and buy a big external drive, format it as NTFS, and start ripping and storing FLAC files.

Also, if you have configured your home network with WPA encryption, you'll have to go back a step to WEP to integrate the Olive.

Other than that, it's going great.     - Pat