[ecruz]

I'm looking to go completely to a server based system. 
My system consists of: 
-Tube Research Labs modded Sony cd player
-McCormack RLD 1 pre-amp
-McCormack DNA 1 amp
-Vandersteen 2ce speakers

Which one will have the BEST sound quality?

Red Wine modded Squeezebox
Mac Mini & a USB Select
or an unmodded Squeezebox & external DAC

Thanks,
E-

[ZLS]

ecruz,

    If price is not a consideration I would go to the RWA modified Olive Symphony or Musica plus if necessary for additional HD space a battery powered outboard HD.  These two products have no, let me repeat no relation to the Olive Opus which has been the subject of such controversy.  Either of these units is a battery powered self contained HD system.  It offers all the advantages of a computer based system plus frees you up from the computer itself.  It is in fact a computer specifically designed to play music. 
    The most important fact is that the sound will be better than any of your other options. 

                                                   ZLS

[ecruz]

I hadn't even consider an Olive.  Do you have any idea how the sound of a modded one, compares to quality cd players?  I'd hate to spend that much money and find the sound inferior to a less expensive disc player.  I know if I'm not satisfied I could add a DAC of my choice, but I'm trying to find a balance between the best sound and the simplest system. 

I must say, my TRL modded Sony disc player has spoiled me.  I only paid about $1k for it, but it is the best digital I have EVER heard.  I'd hate to take too big of a step backwards. 

[ZLS]

The best advice I can give you is for you to contact Vinnie Rossi.  I had the RWA modified SB2 and to my ears it was the best CD sound I had heard.  The RWA modified Olive Musica makes the Squeeze Box sound small and thin in comparison.  Plus it is self contained. 
    Battery power is of course quiet, but it is also extremely smooth.  You don't realize what the fluctuations in the power grid do the sound. 
    I hope this has been helpful. 

                                     ZLS

[ecruz]

Thanks.  I've emailed Vinnie.

[ecruz]

ZLS-
What's the rest of your system?

Mine:
TRL modded Sony cd player
McCormack RLD 1 pre-amp
McCormack DNA 1 amp
Vandersteen 2ce speakers
Usher interconnects & speaker cables
Signal Power cords

[ZLS]

ecruz

RWA modified dual mono Clari-T with paper in oil caps
Sam's Audio Lab modified Heath 151 Intergrated Amp (EL 84's)
RWA modified Olive Musica (160GB) plus RWA modified (Battery Power) outboard HD (160GB)
Omega Revolution Speakers (Floor Standing Single Driver 8" Visaton )
Cables and IC's by Gregg Straley and/or Audiopath. 
Maple Stands and Platforms by Timbernation

    I kind of collect footers and damping devices so I use whatever I'm in the mood for. 

                                                   ZLS

[Loftprojection]

ecruz, I've been using one of Vinnie's modded SB2 for a few months now, all I can say is I sold my CDP!!!

My setup is

RWA SB2 > MHDT Lab Paradisea DAC > Audio Aero MKII hybrid integrated amp > NHT 1.3 speakers
and
RWA SB2 > RaySamuelsAudio XP-7 amp > AudioTechnica W1000 headphones

The CDP I sold was an Arcam CD23T which was selling in the $2000 range a few years ago.  Using the modded SB2 internal DAC to my amp I would say my CDP was giving me a slightly nicer sound quality.  But using the modded SB2 to the Paradisea DAC then I am getting an overall much nicer sound.  So I figure the modded SB2 as a transport is a better source then my CDP was...

Hope this helps a bit.

[ecruz]

After talking to Vinnie, I'm definitely going with one of the Olive products.  I'll use it for a while, so I'm familiar with the sound, then send it to Vinnie for mods.

I've been wanting to go to a hard drive based system for a while, I just didn't think I could get quality sound from one.  Now that I know I can, I'm very excited.

[Vinnie R.]

Hi ecruz,

Welcome to Audiocircle and the RWA forum!

The Red Wine Audio modded Olive Symphony or Musica are my very best sounding source offerings (for either the analog or digital outputs). 

Hi ZLS and Loftprojection,

Thank you for chiming in and posting your impressions for ecruz while I've been AWOL from Audiocircle these last few days.  I've been extremely busy and I will be back on audiocircle tonight to post more 

Best regards,

Vinnie