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Digital Music Storage and Playback Options

post #1 of 17
5/24/10 at 3:56pm
Thread Starter 

Are the only options for Digital Music storage and playback via digital output either a computer running music player software or a portable player with digital output or an iPod docked to an iTransport.

 

Are there any desktop players available that are relatively compact, with a hard disk built in or with external disk support?

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post #2 of 17
5/24/10 at 5:58pm

I am hunting for one also. I found this guide for hard drive based media players, but they require a tv screen.

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/newsLetter/TV-PC-Literate.jsp

 

I have read nick_charles say wd tv does not output bitperfect, and I highly suspect other players to have software quirks as well, and unideal hardware components. If anyone knows a good cheap transport, let me know. Until then I'll be using my ghetto H120 outputting optical :) at least that has very efficient use of hardware and low battery draw, and great software.

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post #3 of 17
5/24/10 at 6:05pm
Thread Starter 

I actually have one of those Western Digital devices that I use to play my video downloads.

 

An AppleTV will do this as well.  However, I was hoping for one with a simple, effective interface.  However, the main thing is the storage.  It seems overkill to have my iMac running for the sole purpose of playing music.

 

The other alternative would be to get another iTransport.


Edited by aimlink - 5/24/10 at 6:06pm
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post #4 of 17
5/24/10 at 6:28pm

Well the Logitech Touch on paper meets your requirements.  Even though I love mine and my other 3 Squeezebox devices I am hesitate to recommend one use the Touch with an attached hard drive.

 

Reason being is the Squeezebox line was originally developed as a thin client with server software running on a pc.  This setup works great for me, however for some odd reason some people what a device like what you describe.  So Logitech tried to give it to them, but it seems to be a little bugging when running in "Server" mode.  I personally have not tested my Touch in mode so can not say.  I can say using the Touch with my headphone setup and serving music from my basement server has been great.

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post #5 of 17
5/24/10 at 7:06pm

i very much encourage you to run a NAS, and then use a device such as a squeezebox touch to fetch the music

 

will save tons of hassle in the long run

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post #6 of 17
5/28/10 at 3:11pm
Thread Starter 

I just came across the Cary X-Citer MS-1.  It's the type of unit that I'm referring to.  However, I can't for the life of me, find a good reason for the asking price (it's available at Moon-Audio). 

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post #7 of 17
5/28/10 at 3:20pm

I'd get it if it was ~$400, had an lcd screen, and didn't use 30 watts of electricity (come on my mp3 player with optical uses like less than 1 watt). But if everyone was cheap like me the DJIA would go below 5000 tomorrow.

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post #8 of 17
5/29/10 at 8:31am

Olive makes a couple of interesting products that can be used together or independently.  The main server (complete with CD burner and large HD) is on the pricey side at over $1,500, though.  Haven't heard them, so no idea how good they sound.  http://www.olive.us/home.html

 

JB

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post #9 of 17
5/29/10 at 8:55am
Thread Starter 


Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanb715 View Post

Olive makes a couple of interesting products that can be used together or independently.  The main server (complete with CD burner and large HD) is on the pricey side at over $1,500, though.  Haven't heard them, so no idea how good they sound.  http://www.olive.us/home.html

 

JB


This is a far better solution.  The XCiter solution, going at $2500 doesn't offer a DAC.  In fact, they encourage you to buy their own dedicated DAC.  The XCiter needs you to provide your own interface controller in the form of an iPhone or iPod Touch!! 

 

Considering the integrated DAC and multi-interface digital outputs, the Olive 4HD seems like far better bang for the buck.  I'm tempted. 

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post #10 of 17
5/31/10 at 3:48pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by aimlink View Post


 It seems overkill to have my iMac running for the sole purpose of playing music.

 


I find myself using my Core i7 920 @ 3.9Ghz PC and 42" Vizio flat panel mostly for music these days.  That's beautiful, beautiful overkill and it still costs less than what you're proposing to replace it with.

 

One of these plus a decent NAS would probably be the way to go.  It's probably hard to beat the price/performance ratio assuming you just can't stand to leave your Mac on all the time.

 

A nettop pc and a 2Tb usb hard drive would be cheaper still, but you'll still have a computer on all the time.  Of course it doesn't seem like cost is much of a concern for you, but I'll point these out anyway.

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post #11 of 17
5/31/10 at 4:24pm

http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/detail/perfectwave-dac?cat=audio  with the bridge would be a nice digital pre.

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post #12 of 17
5/31/10 at 5:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by maverickronin View Post

Quote:


I find myself using my Core i7 920 @ 3.9Ghz PC and 42" Vizio flat panel mostly for music these days.  That's beautiful, beautiful overkill and it still costs less than what you're proposing to replace it with.

 

One of these plus a decent NAS would probably be the way to go.  It's probably hard to beat the price/performance ratio assuming you just can't stand to leave your Mac on all the time.

 

A nettop pc and a 2Tb usb hard drive would be cheaper still, but you'll still have a computer on all the time.  Of course it doesn't seem like cost is much of a concern for you, but I'll point these out anyway.

 

Relax.   
 

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post #13 of 17
5/31/10 at 6:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aimlink View Post

 

Relax.   
 


 

I was just saying that I know what that kind of overkill is like, since I don't find myself doing the gaming or heavy duty video editing that I used to on my PC anymore.  I was just listing some options that might be helpful to someone who comes across this thread, if not necessarily you.  A continuation of my point is that now, for many applications, it is, somewhat paradoxically, easier and cheaper to accomplish a given goal with general purpose hardware, rather than specialized hardware.  I'm assuming your goal is probably to have an elegant system, end to end, and not just cost.  I was saying that if your basic goal is to listen to music you have on your computer somewhere you computer isn't, then a good solution is just buy a tiny computer and put it wherever you'd like to listen.

 

I apologize if I sounded rude or presumptuous, then or now.

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post #14 of 17
5/31/10 at 6:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by maverickronin View Post

 

I was just saying that I know what that kind of overkill is like, since I don't find myself doing the gaming or heavy duty video editing that I used to on my PC anymore.  I was just listing some options that might be helpful to someone who comes across this thread, if not necessarily you.  A continuation of my point is that now, for many applications, it is, somewhat paradoxically, easier and cheaper to accomplish a given goal with general purpose hardware, rather than specialized hardware.  I'm assuming your goal is probably to have an elegant system, end to end, and not just cost.  I was saying that if your basic goal is to listen to music you have on your computer somewhere you computer isn't, then a good solution is just buy a tiny computer and put it wherever you'd like to listen.

 

I apologize if I sounded rude or presumptuous, then or now.


I may be being sensitive.  I'm not really sure.

 

If I wanted a budget solution I'd not be looking for something since I'm already playing my music.  No?  

Afterall, the best bang for the buck comes from not having to spend any more money. 

 

I know that if I wish to write something I can do so with a $1 pen or a $300 pen.  We both know that they both write and use the same ink.  Same for watches and other commodities.  During a discussion about expensive pens, you'll have the occasional who comes around expressing wonder at how one could be spending so much on a pen etc. etc.  As if those in discussion do not already know that $5 pens exist. 

 

I'm looking for an elegant, compact, power saving, specialised and stand alone solution as a digital music server. One that doesn't require a PC or Mac to access, though I could choose to access it with a PC or Mac if needed.  While I don't wish to be spending an arm and a leg on such a unit, it doesn't mean that I'm not aware that the network storage setup that I currently use isn't up to the task and is more bang for the buck.  Thank goodness, it doesn't always have to be about the money, does it??? 


Edited by aimlink - 5/31/10 at 6:36pm
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post #15 of 17
5/31/10 at 6:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by El_Doug View Post

i very much encourage you to run a NAS, and then use a device such as a squeezebox touch to fetch the music

 

will save tons of hassle in the long run


Hmmm.  This is interesting. 

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