[RichardS]

Srajan at 6moons recently posted a review of the Olive Symphony. He had numerous issues with it—and much difficulty interfacing with his (idiosyncratic) ISP. While I appreciate his forthright and honest appraisal of his frustrating experience, my experience so far has been quite different, so I thought I'd post a counterpoint.

First, I must admit, I have not yet hooked up, or felt the need to hook up, my Musica to the internet, or my computer. Hey, that’s why I bought it, and I suspect, why many purchasers will buy it. I had previously purchased a Squeezebox and had it modded, but the Musica  just seemed like an easier and more elegant solution, and was potentially as good (or better) sounding.

The attraction for many is three–fold:
1) To take advantage of the error/jitter-reducing capability of playing music from a hard drive. Using the digital output, this puts a relatively inexpensive music server in league with multi-buck transports.
2) To have your entire music collection available on screen (albeit a small one at present), organized into genres and playlists. The promise of a PDA-style “remote” to view/access this collection from the listening seat is certainly mouth-watering.
3) To be able to avoid computer/networking hassles if one wants. This is what sets the Olive products apart from the Squeezeboxes and USB converters.

At present, I’ve loaded 440 CDs on the hard drive and have used just over half the available disc space. I listen to (already loaded) CDs as new ones load and convert to FLAC, and don’t have any problems with noise or drop-outs. I can skip songs easily, forward or back, one at a time, only needing to wait (less than) a second between presses, with almost instant access (faster than some dedicated CD players).

The sound quality of the digital out seems very good into my Tact equipment. I haven’t done any critical comparisons yet (still letting the circuits break-in). I plan to follow-up with a couple friends, comparing the Musica to my Pro-2m philips-based transport, both on their own and with a Genesis Digital Lens in between.

I have found the Musica pretty intuitive so far, and like the dual jog wheels. All one has to do is cycle through them when new and familiarize yourself with the various options. I’m sure it will get more complicated when I get down to creating playlists, but my music has already been automatically partitioned into 64 different genres, and can be accessed alphabetically by artist or album. The headphone out is decent through my Senn 600s and the volume is easy to access and use.

All in all, so far, this is one of my best audio purchases in years, excepting maybe my recent purchase of a second Tact 2150 at the summer-discounted $1600 price, so I can biamp and use digital crossovers in my line arrays.

[Srajan Ebaen]

To be sure, my review wasn't our last word on the subject by a long shot. Jeff will report on using it like RichardS -  as a playback and media library machine in his regular system. Once Vinnie gets my machine back to inspect it, it could well turn out that I had a bad CD/ROM drive (or, more accurately, one that went bad in transit from the US to Cyprus since it obviously must have worked fine when Vinnie dispatched it). In fact, that seems to be Vinnie's suspicion at present since the machines he's modified so far all have proven extremely reliable, quiet and fast. So old Murphy messed with the review process as is his want...

If so and the replacement unit turns out to not suffer those issues, my only real issue remaining with the piece would be its present inability to access its on-screen menu without a live browser window. To my way of thinking, that's a design flaw but a/ if you have a network, that's not an issue, b/ if you don't mean to impose your own sequencing on playlists, the scroll wheels work just fine though having to use them or the remote for text entries is a royal pain in the arse. The PDA interface would solve all that and eliminate the need to integrate the Olive into a computer network. That, I think, would be slicker than shit...

[James Romeyn]

Is there a reasonably objective way to express the level of mechanical noise from the Olive's hard drive?  In an otherwise "quiet" room, when the level is at its loudest, at what distance is it audible?  Or should this distance be measured w/ an SPL meter in an anechoic room & be stated in the specs?  Does HD noise vary between samples?  If so it's something to consider before purchase depending on how important it is to the buyer.   

I'm weary of reading that a HD box is "reasonably quiet".  S/N is bad enough in electrical circuits w/o being worsened by mechanical racket.  I doubt I'd ever find audibly increased mechanical racket an "improvement" regardless of other advantages.

The hard drive in the Comcast DVR box (made by HP methinks, failure rate  about 100%) is so loud turned OFF (8' to listening seat) that I had to add an inilne power switch to the AC cable for music sessions. 

[jhm731]

The sound quality of the digital out seems very good into my Tact equipment. I haven’t done any critical comparisons yet (still letting the circuits break-in). I plan to follow-up with a couple friends, comparing the Musica to my Pro-2m philips-based transport, both on their own and with a Genesis Digital Lens in between.

When you connect the Musica to the Genesis Digital Lens, what's it's speed accuracy reading?

[John Casler]

First, I must admit, I have not yet hooked up, or felt the need to hook up, my Musica to the internet, or my computer. Hey, that’s why I bought it, and I suspect, why many purchasers will buy it. I had previously purchased a Squeezebox and had it modded, but the Musica  just seemed like an easier and more elegant solution, and was potentially as good (or better) sounding.

The attraction for many is three–fold:
1) To take advantage of the error/jitter-reducing capability of playing music from a hard drive. Using the digital output, this puts a relatively inexpensive music server in league with multi-buck transports.
2) To have your entire music collection available on screen (albeit a small one at present), organized into genres and playlists. The promise of a PDA-style “remote” to view/access this collection from the listening seat is certainly mouth-watering.
3) To be able to avoid computer/networking hassles if one wants. This is what sets the Olive products apart from the Squeezeboxes and USB converters.

At present, I’ve loaded 440 CDs on the hard drive and have used just over half the available disc space. I listen to (already loaded) CDs as new ones load and convert to FLAC, and don’t have any problems with noise or drop-outs. I can skip songs easily, forward or back, one at a time, only needing to wait (less than) a second between presses, with almost instant access (faster than some dedicated CD players).

The sound quality of the digital out seems very good into my Tact equipment. I haven’t done any critical comparisons yet (still letting the circuits break-in). I plan to follow-up with a couple friends, comparing the Musica to my Pro-2m philips-based transport, both on their own and with a Genesis Digital Lens in between.

I have found the Musica pretty intuitive so far, and like the dual jog wheels. All one has to do is cycle through them when new and familiarize yourself with the various options. I’m sure it will get more complicated when I get down to creating playlists, but my music has already been automatically partitioned into 64 different genres, and can be accessed alphabetically by artist or album. The headphone out is decent through my Senn 600s and the volume is easy to access and use.

All in all, so far, this is one of my best audio purchases in years, excepting maybe my recent purchase of a second Tact 2150 at the summer-discounted $1600 price, so I can biamp and use digital crossovers in my line arrays.

I'm on the same train.

The ease of finding artists and cuts is crazy good

It is a great tool and everything I wanted it to be (except the OPUS doesn't have volume control, which I wanted to try)

440 CD's ?????  I'm lucky to have 100 on, yet since it is hard for me to not sit down and listen to all these old CD's.

I have been re-visiting some that didn't float my boat on my CD player and have been sounding pretty sweet off the HD.

But, that "DOES NOT" mean that the unit is forgiving in any way, for it is not.  It is brutally honest to the point that some might find some weak links in their systems or rooms set ups.

I have been hearing clear sonic images beyond anything I have ever heard before.  This may be too honest (sonically) for some.

I cannot speak for the Musica, but the OPUS also has the best bass signal I have heard.  If the bass is there, you hear it and it is pristine

And also let me re-trace, my "imaging" evaluation.  It may not have the imaging you want, for all CD's are engineered to image as per the Producer and Engineer.

I "spun up" a couple 1970's Classical CD's that were "stunning" with their Soundstage and instrumental layout and placing.

I have listened to "SEAL" and could literally hear the recording chamber and mike set up he used, as well as how the engineer "mixed" the stage.

The two were "VASTLY" different.  Seal was slick, but didn't have the cohesiveness, since it was artificially placing every instrument and performer.

The Classical CD's were as if a huge orchestra was right there in front of me at about 10th row Center.  The depth of instrument placement was beyond anything I have ever heard on my system(s)

That said, the ability to simply find and play any cut on any CD you own, in virtually seconds, is fantastic!!!

And I have done the "hardwired" network connection and tuned in some of the higher Fidelity Internet Radio Stations, and they have equal quality considering their limitations.

I sat glued to the darn thing for over an hour just listening to one of the HITS stations.

The one with the slogan "and F**K the rest".

While "slightly flat" the soundstage was wide and again images popped up all over the place out of the blackness.  It was nice to have random anonymous music from the ether again.

Haven't "burned" a CD yet, and will probably get most of my library on before I do so.

And one other thing was the units "may or may not" be Power Sensitive.  That is I did notice a little leanness during one short session I had during the Heat Wave here in LA.

I was listening on weekday about 2:00 in the afternoon.  But ususally I only get a chance to listen (myself) after 7:00, and then the sonics are rich and full, depending on the CD.

Just slap Holly Cole, Patricia Barber, or Norah Jones on the playlist and go to sonic bliss on the fast trac.

I did throw a little of the Chairman of the Board on the other night and found I was disappointed in the recording evenness, in that some of it sounded sublime and some was just plain lousy.

These things do so much, I think many will be exploring the capabilities for some time.

[Pretender]

Can anyone tell me more about the promise of a PDA style remote??

Thanks!

[ZLS]

Hello,

    I am the owner of a Red Wine Audio modified Olive Musica (Battery Powered)plus a battery powered 16 Gig outboard Hard Drive that I hook up through the Musica's USB port.  Several items need to be discussed. 
1. The lack of a hand held PDA that my dimming eyes could actually read is a design flaw.  This flaw has been brought to Olive's attention. 
2. As to the sound of the HD, you can not possibly hear it while music is being played.  If you choose to listen to the HD in a otherwise silent room, more power to you.  Speaking for myself it has never intefered with my enjoyment of music. 
3. I cannot stress strongly enough that when you buy a piece of modified equipment, it is the modifier who is most important.  When RWA modified my Olive Musica it voided the original warrenty; to which I say Hooray!  My relationship is with Vinnie Rossi of RWA.  I trust his expertise and his knoweldge.  The service he has provided has been exemplary, way beyond the call.  I am, what can charitably be called a high maitenance customer.  The ability to contact to have any problems solved is what I pay for when I purchase the product. 
4. The sound of the RWA Musica is organic, rythemic, and full.  You may feel there is somthing missing until a note, a transient, a crescendo is called for in the music.  Then it is there in all its glory.  The Musica does not call attention to itself, however you can clearly hear the differnce between Amplifiers, cables and even various vibration reducing devices. (Footers). 
    The Musica is far from perfect, and I expect it will get better over time with new software and new innovations.  Between Vinnie Rossi and the Musica I am really involved (deep in) in my music. 
    Remember it's not the size of the product, but the skill of the modifier. 

                                                ZLS 












d

[Srajan Ebaen]

The hard-drive in operation is indeed inaudible from outside the chassis. My particular experience in my review relates to headphone listening over a Symphony that very likely suffered a sub-optimal or defective hard-drive. In that case, the hard drive was audible over the headphones between tracks, during cue-up and while importing data and also as a constant though subdued HF whistling. Mind you, my particular application (headphone listening and making CD compilations using headphones) will not be how most listeners will use their Olive products.

Vinnie mentioned the planned PDA to me so when the weekend's over, he might well add to this thread and let us know what he's been told re: time line. The only serious design flaw I see in the Symphony at present is the inability to access it as a standard computer peripheral via USB or serial port from your PC or laptop,to pull up its on-screen menu. You must do this over a live web browser. You cannot go to "My Computer" and bring up the Symphony as, say "Drive: G" to manipulate its files and folders. That, in my book, is a real handicap when you want to access the Symphony's hard-drive as I hoped I could.

For the majority of applications -- as a hard-disk server, CD player and CD duplicator -- I think it's a winner. This is a transitional crossover product. It's a PC in its own right but tries to mimic a CD player/burner crossed with half an iPod in how it operates. Some of the interface issues will probably get more polished as Olive collects customer feedback. After all, most everything here is software-driven and can thus be rewritten...

Cheers,
Srajan

[John Casler]

The hard-drive in operation is indeed inaudible from outside the chassis. My particular experience in my review relates to headphone listening over a Symphony that very likely suffered a sub-optimal or defective hard-drive. In that case, the hard drive was audible over the headphones between tracks, during cue-up and while importing data and also as a constant though subdued HF whistling. Mind you, my particular application (headphone listening and making CD compilations using headphones) will not be how most listeners will use their Olive products.

Cheers,
Srajan

I might add that there "is" HD noise and CD-ROM noise when the CDRom drive is importing the CD and when the HD is "converting" the imported CD to FLAC.

If you stand close to the unit and listen right after removing a CD recently imported, you will hear HD noise, as the conversion is taking place.  I understand that this process may take up to 30 minutes or so per CD after it is imported.

I, like the others, have not noticed any HD noise, once that conversion has taken place.

[Vinnie R.]

All,

Since I am heavily involved with the Olive Symphony and Musica units (but on the Opus so I will not comment about that unit), I'd like to contribute to this thread:

First, I must admit, I have not yet hooked up, or felt the need to hook up, my Musica to the internet, or my computer. Hey, that’s why I bought it, and I suspect, why many purchasers will buy it. I had previously purchased a Squeezebox and had it modded, but the Musica  just seemed like an easier and more elegant solution, and was potentially as good (or better) sounding.

Hi RichardS,

I am in a very similar boat as you.  I'd say 95% of the time, I use my modded Olive Symphony as follows:  I rip my CDs into the internal hard drive using FLAC and playback off of the hard drive.  For those CDs that I own and very rarely listen to, I don't bother to rip them to the internal hard drive and instead just use the Olive as a CD player.  I'd say the other 5% of the time, I am wirelessly connected to either look for a software update, to listen to some internet radio stations, or to look for CD info on the freedb.com database if the Olive's internal database cannot find the tag info of the CD that inserted.  I do not use an external dac as I am extremely pleased with the modded analog outputs.

I agree with you that the beauty of the Olive over the SB is that there is a built-in CD drive and built-in hard drive.  Ripping (or as Olive calls it, "importing") a CD into the internal hard drive is done with the press of a button.  I also find the jog wheels to be very intuitive and a clever design.  Regarding the screen, I have good eyes (heck, I do a lot of surface mount soldering of tiny conponents  ) so it is not an issue for me, but I can totally see why others would like a better visual interface (more on this below).

He had numerous issues with it—and much difficulty interfacing with his (idiosyncratic) ISP. While I appreciate his forthright and honest appraisal of his frustrating experience,

Regarding Srajan's review, I want to point out a few things:

1) Yes, Srajan experienced networking issues trying to network to his wired Ethernet connection (not wireless).  He could not get them solved and I know he made a big effort to do so.  This is certainly a problem because he wanted to be able to view the Olive screen on his computer (via a web browser).  His review mentions the difficulty he had and we all can appreciate his upfront and honest discussion of this.  His review makes it clear that Olive needs to add more content to their User's Manual (which needs to be downloaded and printed out, and Srajan pointed out) in regards to networking.  Not everyone is going to have a "1..2..3..done" experience with networking, wireless or not.  Networking can be a total pain in the butt!     I am in no way a networking pro...not even close, so I couldn't be helpful in getting Srajan up and running with his wired network 

Once Vinnie gets my machine back to inspect it, it could well turn out that I had a bad CD/ROM drive (or, more accurately, one that went bad in transit from the US to Cyprus since it obviously must have worked fine when Vinnie dispatched it). In fact, that seems to be Vinnie's suspicion at present since the machines he's modified so far all have proven extremely reliable, quiet and fast. So old Murphy messed with the review process as is his want...

2) Srajan's Symphony DID have hardware related issues.  One was that he was hearing noise via the headphone output.  I honestly didn't test the headphone output before I shipped it  , and it is clear that something is up with it.  I HAVE tested the headphone outputs on other modded units and never had a problem, so I need to figure out what is wrong with Srajan's unit and report my findings.

He also had issues with the CD ROM drive (which is also the first time I've heard of this), where it was freezing up when he skipped a few tracks with the remote.  I've modded quite a few of the Olives and have always found the CD ROM drives to be very responsive with regards to changing tracks, reading disks, etc.  When I tested Srajan's unit before shipping, I did not find any issues with regards to the CD drive.  Of course, this was before it was shipped to Cyprus and it could have taken a beating in shipping.  I am going to receive his unit back to check out and send him a new one in the meantime. 

The PDA interface would solve all that and eliminate the need to integrate the Olive into a computer network. That, I think, would be slicker than shit

Can anyone tell me more about the promise of a PDA style remote??Thanks!

Guys,

I have recently talked to Olive and was told that they have been very busy working on the software to allow for a wirless PDA to communicate with their units.  This would allow one to see and interact with all their music in the palm of their hands.  They do have the prototype software working with a Nokia PDA, but they need to continue to add features, improve the user interface, plenty of debugging to do, and make it compatible with other PDAs.  It sounds like this will not be ready until later on in 2006, but I am more than willing to wait because it is well worth the wait to me! 

Olive also mentioned that they sent out a survey to customers to get feedback on features they would like to see in later software updates.  If we keep bugging them for certain updates that are important to us, hopefully they will get around to adding them in at some point.  I know that the wireless PDA inferace is on the top of their priority list and they have been devoting a lot of time to that, but that doesn't mean that other updates will not be made if their customers point them in the direction that they want them to go in. 

Is there a reasonably objective way to express the level of mechanical noise from the Olive's hard drive?  In an otherwise "quiet" room, when the level is at its loudest, at what distance is it audible?  Or should this distance be measured w/ an SPL meter in an anechoic room & be stated in the specs?  Does HD noise vary between samples?  If so it's something to consider before purchase depending on how important it is to the buyer.   

Hi RibbonSpeakers,

This is a good question.  I am only experienced with the Symphony and Musica units and can only offer subjective feedback on the mechanical noise.  It is minimal.  The loudest noise that I hear is when I change tracks.  The CD Rom drive's mechanics are heard when the laser is moved to read the next track on the disc.  When the disk is playing, it is very quiet (but a little louder when music is being ripped because it is spinning much faster).  The hard drives have been very quiet.  And there is no fan noise because there is no fan.  I have also found that adding sound-deadening material to the top cover, and some to the CD-ROM case and on the hard drive makes things VERY quiet .  NOTE that with the Symphony hard drive, it is very important that you do not block the hole on the hard drive that says "don't not cover hole." 

I am the owner of a Red Wine Audio modified Olive Musica (Battery Powered)plus a battery powered 16 Gig outboard Hard Drive that I hook up through the Musica's USB port.  Several items need to be discussed. 

Hi ZLS,
I know you meant to say "160GB" outboard hard drive instead of 16 Gig.

4. The sound of the RWA Musica is organic, rythemic, and full.  You may feel there is somthing missing until a note, a transient, a crescendo is called for in the music.  Then it is there in all its glory.  The Musica does not call attention to itself, however you can clearly hear the differnce between Amplifiers, cables and even various vibration reducing devices. (Footers). 
    The Musica is far from perfect, and I expect it will get better over time with new software and new innovations.  Between Vinnie Rossi and the Musica I am really involved (deep in) in my music. 

Thank you for posting your experience with dealing with me in having your Olive Musica modded and the resulting sound quality (which I know is with you using the modded analog outputs).  I am very happy to read that you are very pleased with the results! 

Best regards,

Vinnie

[jhm731]

New users group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Olive-Media/?yguid=215291007

[thotfulspot]

All,

Regarding Srajan's review, I want to point out a few things:

1) Yes, Srajan experienced networking issues trying to network to his wired Ethernet connection (not wireless).  He could not get them solved and I know he made a big effort to do so.  This is certainly a problem because he wanted to be able to view the Olive screen on his computer (via a web browser).  His review mentions the difficulty he had and we all can appreciate his upfront and honest discussion of this.  His review makes it clear that Olive needs to add more content to their User's Manual (which needs to be downloaded and printed out, and Srajan pointed out) in regards to networking.  Not everyone is going to have a "1..2..3..done" experience with networking, wireless or not.  Networking can be a total pain in the butt!     I am in no way a networking pro...not even close, so I couldn't be helpful in getting Srajan up and running with his wired network 

After reading his review it doesn't matter if he was wired or wireless. His ISP is dynamically assigning a single address to his modem. He would need some way to assign both devices (computer and olive) an address. That would require some type of a router to assign IP addresses. It could be wired or wireless. He would have the same issue with a Squeezebox.

Ron

[Rob Babcock]

The Olive is interesting, but I have a few concerns.  Are the hard drives user replaceable?  What happens when one crashes- is all your music gone?  Is there any way to connect the Olive to your PC, or am I stuck re-ripping my entire collection yet again?  Does it have any installers backdoors (ie codes, ability to be controlled by a Pronto/etc, 12 v trigger)?  The thing doesn't look like a great value- I about went into shock seeing that stepping up from the Opus with the 400 GB drive to the 750 GB version cost a THOUSAND FRIGGIN' BUCKS!   Is there seriously nothing but another $350 GB for that grand?  Holy cow!

Still, it's intriguing.  I'd love to learn the answers to the above; it would be sweet to have all my music on a machine like that instead of having to use the PC, in a way.  Provided there was a way to back up my music and swap drives myself.

[John Casler]

The Olive is interesting, but I have a few concerns.  Are the hard drives user replaceable?  What happens when one crashes- is all your music gone?  Is there any way to connect the Olive to your PC, or am I stuck re-ripping my entire collection yet again?  Does it have any installers backdoors (ie codes, ability to be controlled by a Pronto/etc, 12 v trigger)?  The thing doesn't look like a great value- I about went into shock seeing that stepping up from the Opus with the 400 GB drive to the 750 GB version cost a THOUSAND FRIGGIN' BUCKS!   Is there seriously nothing but another $350 GB for that grand?  Holy cow!

Still, it's intriguing.  I'd love to learn the answers to the above; it would be sweet to have all my music on a machine like that instead of having to use the PC, in a way.  Provided there was a way to back up my music and swap drives myself.

According to the OLIVE manual, the HD's are not user replacable, however you can add external HDs to back up all your files.

As far as crashing, all HD are subject to crashing, and the type of crash would determine if the data is not recoverable, however most who invest in "any" HD user device, will likely find a back up drive a prudent investment.

The OLIVE can be connected (Hard or Wireless) to your PC, to allow the two to share files, as long as they are compatible.

Not aware of any Back Doors, but Vinnie or Wayne (who mod them) might.

As far as value, "that" is a more preferential thing, some might say that having a CDP, Tuner (although it is for internet radio), a wireless, multi room capable music system, a CD burner, a Juke Box, all in one box is a great thing.

The pricing between models is "misunderstood", and a remnant of an adjusting marketing plan.

Initially OLIVE was going to be "internet direct only", thus the lower initial pricing on the early and smaller sized drive units.  Early in the launch they realized that a dealer network was really something they would need, so all later models with larger HDs included the breakdowns of including the dealer platform.

Ultimatly the smaller drives will be discontiued, and only the larger drives will be left.

Additionally, while the options are get a great computer, make sure it has the best Sound Card, best CDROM, wireless router, and not to mention an additional or much larger HD, and 500 - 700g is what you think you will need for your music, just remember, you will also need space for all the other data, programs and files, so the drive doesn't fill up and slow everything down.

Additionally, you need the computer on all the time, or you will need to "boot up" each time you use it. 

Or, if you pick up a dedicated Multimedia laptop, or such, you're again going to have to leave it on most of the time, or wait 2-3 minutes to boot up, and play, plus the expesnse has once again grown.

So it can be "nice" to have much of the needed hardware in one system, and $899 entry isn't too expesnsive to get started, with a unit even the wife can use (if she can use a CDP).

And $3-4K is not even the upper end of CDP's (well it is actually ), but they don't have all the other capabilities.

I think it is a "pick you preference" type thing, but it is nice to be able to have a single box solution too.

I like mine.

[Rob Babcock]

My main issue is this- when the Olive HD does fail, as ALL HDs eventually will, how do I: 1) replace the HD and 2) get all my music back into the Olive?  If I have my music backed up to an external drive, can I simply download it onto the new Olived HD (presumably after the factory replaces it) or must I re-rip every single disc by hand again?

Can someone like Wayne or Vinnie "hack" my Olive and put a 750 GB perpendicular drive into the thing or does it know what type of drive it has, the way an Epson ink cart "knows" you used all the ink even if you refill it?  Or must I participate in their $10/GB pricing structure?  And if I buy an Olive now and they phase out the dinky-ass little drives they use now, will my Olive really become a Lemon?

I don't mean to be too rough on the Olive, but in this day and age those are some pretty puny HDs.  At least the "sanely" priced ones.  I realize you pay for the convenience vs a Squeezebox, but I'd consider it if I had some assurances I wasn't gonna get hosed. 

[Vinnie R.]

Hi Rob,

It is good practice to use a external USB Drive to back up your Olive's music from time to time (just like backing up your computer is good practice because you never know...).

In the event of Olive HD failure, you would need to get a new hard drive from Olive because they need to install a special file onto the HD that has the unit's serial number and possibly other info.  For example, if I remove the 160GB drive out of a Musica and install a 320GB drive, it won't boot up without that special software. 

If it is a stock Olive, you'll probably have to send it to Olive for a new hard drive replacement.  If it is a RWA modded Olive, you'd be working with me and I'd be working Olive on getting a replacement drive from them.  So far, none of the Olives that I know of had HD failures.  Again, backing up your music from time to time is the best way to prevent loss of music in the event that you do have a HD failure.

Hope this info helps,

Vinnie

[John Casler]

Anyone know if this is a good deal? 300g for $108?







http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=CAUA35300&cat=HDD

For a "back up" drive

[Scotty]

Vinnie, I was wondering if you could tell me what DAC the Olive players use?
Scotty

[saabman]

It's interesting that I can purchase high quality state of the art (perpedicular recording technology)  internal hard disks (SATA or PATA interface) for less than $0.35/GB (with 5 year mfg warratnty) at many places since the beginning of 2006.


$10/GB for hard disk (quoted earlier in this post) is just a bit overpriced don't you think ?

Not having the ability to replace your own hard drive is an absolute show stopper for me, but that's just my opinion.

[Wayne1]

The chip used by Olive in their player 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.