Quote:
Originally Posted by
gabrielo 
Quote:
Originally Posted by
IPodPJ Finally something coming out to compete with the (unfortunately) discontinued Transporter, but at $3,000 more.
It is not the same beast as the transporter requires running an external music server while Olive saves all the sound on its internal HD.
I think it could be a great turnkey solution for people who want ease of use without bothering with building system themselves (assuming money is not an issue).
I was thinking about their entry level OH3D (500GB $999), but it has no digital out so it can't use an external DAC.
Note: I use 2nd person pronouns here, but I don't mean to refer to anyone in particular other than a hypothetical person setting up such a system.
How hard is it really to set up a system yourself anyway?
I mean, let's assume you have a computer. If it's a desktop - we're good to go, because it can stay on all the time. If you don't, you can get a desktop with monitor (or another laptop if you like) for under $600 that will do the job. It can go in whatever room in your house that you want it to.
Then you need a wireless router, if you don't have one. That's another $50 for old reliable, the Linksys WRT54GL.
Now, for the linchpin of the system: For value and functionality, let's go with the Logitech Squeezebox Duet for $359. A Logitech, you say?!? That's not high end!
No, it isn't. But it's a pretty trick piece of kit, and best of all it has a coax and optical digital output - on top of the not-horrible 24-bit Wolfson DAC built in (I read it's a slight step down for the particular Burr-Brown used in the older Squeezeboxes).
In 2008 there were quite a few problems with it so I couldn't say it was exactly a good system then, but I believe most of the bugs have been worked out now.
It's a two-piece kit: The key is the remote, which is your interface with the system, that you use to navigate your music - and Internet radio too, if you want to. It connects straight to your WiFi network, so you can control it from anywhere within wireless range, no LoS to deal with. Essentially it's like using an mp3 player, but you're controlling your stereo. Being a remote, you don't have to get up to change music - and it means it's potentially a whole lot easier to see what's playing, too.
The receiver, which is the music-serving half, can be wired via Ethernet to your network - or go via wireless like the remote. You can add other Squeezebox receivers (the older ones that don't have a remote), and the remote can control all of them at once - sending different music to each.
Your computer is the server where all the music is located, of course. You also perform the setup using it. It isn't needed at all for internet radio, because the networking lets the remote/receiver connect straight to the web.
The system can play MP3, AAC, WMA, Ogg, FLAC, Apple Lossless, WMA Lossless, and WAV music files - so your lossless file needs are all taken care of. The only thing it can't do is DRM-restricted audio files.
So we're at approximately $1000 right now; or if you're like many families today, you've only spent $359 so far.
So that leaves you with between $4000 and $4600 to spend on a DAC... Of course, it may make more sense to spend more money on the rest of the system (computer & network) first. And maybe spend some money hiring some kid to rip all of your CDs to FLAC files with EAC.
Anyway, that seems like a far more flexible system. Maybe not nearly as stylish or as stupid-easy to set - but it's a whole lot more flexible, and lets you control as many systems as you have receivers for without even getting out of your listening chair.
In the future when some better music network system comes out, you already have the basis for hooking it up to your current network and DAC. You could even upgrade to a full video server too, although that wouldn't do anything for your BRD collection.
Edited by BlackbeardBen - 12/9/10 at 4:56am
