[SwedeSound]

I am sure I'm mistaken, but why do I feel as though I've read paltry little about any Olive products here on AC? I haven't heard any of their units personally, but I am positively in love with what they appear to do. Anybody want to offer some informed (as in you've heard, considered and developed a reasonable impression) opinion on any of these delish-looking sources?

http://www.uncrate.com/men/gear/home-audio-speakers/olive-o6hd-music-server/

-Jason

[kgturner]

The specs look real nice and the 10.1" glass touch screen sounds awesome, but mounting it on top of the unit where it's likely to be unviewable from the listening position makes it an epic fail in my opinion. Just my initial reaction. Let's see what reviewers and users say. I guess with everybody using their iPhone/iPod/iPad to control it, the screen becomes a moot point, but still doesn't sit right with me.

Kevin T

[Vincent Kars]

It is a nice looking product.
Inside you will find a PC running Linux and a sound card
Do observe that you can store all your music on it but you can’t get the music out of this box: http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/HD_players.html

There is a massive thread on AVS:  http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1091695
A small user forum: http://olive.setbb.com/

[firedog]

Yes, massive thread on avsforum. Note: lots of users complain that the software interfaces are terrible, and some have even returned their olive 4s and 4HDs. New software is supposedly better, but I'd try before I buy, or make sure you can return for full refund.

I agree putting the large touch screen on top of the unit is odd, on the border of seeming not usuable in most configurations. I guess they assume people are going to use a remote, but then what's the point of the big screen?

[Stu Pitt]

I'm guessing the 06 (model linked to) is aimed at the headphone crowd.  All controls are on top, and it's the only Olive I've seen with a headphone output.

I haven't heard any of their gear, but I'm intrigued by it.  My Rega dealer, who I have a very good relationship with, has a customer who has an Olive something or other (I think it was the 04 or one before that) and has brought it in to compare it to a few CDPs and audition it with DACs.  He was pretty impressed with it.  He said it was just a little behind the Rega Apollo sound wise.

Sucks to see all the complaints about its software.

[RichardS]

Can't speak to the current models, but I have several Musicas. First one I bought new when they first came out. Liked the concept and the 250 GB drive was decent enough, with the option of adding an external drive. Sounded OK through the analog outs but was nothing to write home about -- almost but not quite as good as CD players in its price range. However, it was very good through digital output to DAC.

Then got a 160 GB Red Wine modded unit. Much better through analog outs and superb through the digital out, rivaling my $2500 dedicated transport. Then I got a Bolder modded unit and it was maybe a little better through the analog outs, in some ways, but also maybe not as quiet. So next step was a 750 GB Red Wine modded Musica which is what I listen to most in my main system. Very happy with it.

I've had good success with the Nokia as a remote, though it can be slow loading pages at times. I'd be interested in hearing the newer units, but would only ones with digital outs. I'd also like to hear some high res tracks on it, as mine are limited to 16/44. Well, that's my brief synopsis. Hope others will comment....

[jeffery]

It is a nice looking product.
Inside you will find a PC running Linux and a sound card
Do observe that you can store all your music on it but you can’t get the music out of this box: http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/HW/HD_players.html

There is a massive thread on AVS:  http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1091695
A small user forum: http://olive.setbb.com/

Acturally, there is no sound card inside, because it's too small, but you can find a Teac DVD combo burner inside......

Inside of Olive 4hd

[JLM]

With all the glows for the current Mini Mac and the price for adding a couple of HDs and screen I don't see much need for this new Olive. 

Conceptually I like the old ones, especially for techno farts like me, but with constant DAC developments its hard to invest in one of the older models. 

[Stercom]

I've owned an Olive music server for a while now.  The idea behind them is "one stop shopping". The company will even load your music for you. For many audiophiles that is a big deal especially 3 or 4 years ago when putting together your own music server was fairly hard. I've recommended the Olive to a number of audiophiles due to the convience of it. Sound quality is very good. Price is reasonable especially if you can find one used. 

[HT cOz]

I have an Olive Musica that was modded by Bolder Cable.  I like it, however my wife really likes it and now it is in our living room playing through in-ceiling speakers.  My main rig doesn't have anything to replace it so I will miss it eventually.

It says a lot when your wife takes something as her own.  She doesn't care for Hi Fi too much.

I'm not sure why anyone would have a beef with them except the price.  I think they make nice transporters.  The real ticket would be to have the drive replaced with a solid state drive.     I have directions for replacing the drive somewhere.

Thanks,
Robert

[JEaton]

My goodness.  A $5000 PC with a small touchscreen.  Did they at least design and produce the motherboard with onboard audio, or is it an off the shelf $90 HTPC board with RCA jacks soldered to it?

[gabrielo]

My goodness.  A $5000 PC with a small touchscreen.  Did they at least design and produce the motherboard with onboard audio, or is it an off the shelf $90 HTPC board with RCA jacks soldered to it?

You forgot the DAC part of this unit which should be pretty good.
I have heard the Olive 4HD and its analog output is not bad at all and should be good enough for most people.
It is probably as good as a $I000 CDP unit and the extra $I500 goes to pay for the music server.
Now it is possible to build a cheaper DIY music server, but this is a all in one solution catering for people who don't want to be bothered with such a thing.

I was considering getting the $I000 3HD for myself to be used as music server, but gave up when I learned that it has no digital output and that I will have to use its on-board DAC which is not as good as the one on the 4HD (which was not enough for me)

I compared the 4HD with Ayre DAC and the Ayre was clearly better (not a fair compare as the Ayre retails for the same price without the music server )

I personally believe that the Olive approach is the right one for our time and if the DAC part can become better (maybe the 6HD) it will be the one product to rule them all.