Came across a good deal on a used NuWave DAC so that's the route I've taken.  I'll play the waiting game for the DirectStream to come down in price in a year or two, as it inevitably will.  That will also give plenty of time to see if it is the panacea for digital files after all.  Thanks for...

Wow, no responses yet.  I'm surprised.  My decision has gotten a little foggier with the upcoming release of the PS Audio DirectStream upgrade for my PWD.  Now I'm rethinking moving my headphone set up in order to upgrade to the DirectStream in stead of purchasing another new DAC.

I am contemplating relocating my headphone rig away from my listening room and into the main living room of my house.  I listen through my headphones primarily at night or early morning when the wife is sleeping and am thinking it would be nice to have it more conveniently located.  This will...

Quote: Sounds good sleepwalker.  I am actually doing pretty much just that by using a QNAP 469 Pro NAS in a RAID10 configuration and a PS Audio PWD Mk. II with Bridge.  All of them are wired through Trendnet TPL-402e 500mbs Powerline LAN adapters since my house didn't come wired with CATx. ...

Quote: I agree with DaveBSC.  The Auraliti is essentially a dedicated media computer (running Linux) that allows an external drive with the stored media to serve the files to a DAC via USB.  With all other functions removed, it is simply an optimized music server.  At just under $800...

Thanks for the reply. $500 is no deal breaker at all, I was just interested in the sonic qualities of the two. If the NAD is really superior it's a no brainier. If not I'll stick with the W4S. Thanks again and look forward to hearing more impressions of the M51!

Obzilla, How is the comparo between the M51 and the DAC-2 coming? I'm thinking about those two so I"d like to hear your thoughts since you have them both.

  Quote:   Ok, thanks for the info, keep us posted about the compatibility with the MacMini over HDMI.

  Quote:   What do you mean by Apple core audio?   This is concerning to me because that is exactly how I was thinking about using it.  Glad I haven't pulled the trigger just yet.  Perhaps the HDMI is only for video associated audio but that would be disappointing.   Is the...

What about the sound quality of using Apple TV streaming from my iMac then connecting it, via Toslink  or HDMI, to an external DAC.  I could then avoid the expense of an additional server and be able to afford a better DAC.  I know Apple TV can handle FLAC, ALAC, AIFF and WAV files but I'm not...

Good point, I could do that but it's a question of location and scale. My iMac is in the downstairs office, my CD collection and mac mini will be in my upstairs music room. With over 3000 of them, it will take many hours ver time and I'd rather spend it in the music room, as opposed to the...

I haven't decided the details yet in regards to where the components will be and the budget since I'm just not figuring things out.  I had hoped to use my Apple TV with an optical out in lieu of a Mini, but after speaking with Apple today, it doesn't output 192khz.  Which, I guess is probably no...

I am getting ready to build a Mac Mini based music server to integrate into my main 2 channel audio system.  I plan to use Pure Music to create FLAC files then output to an external DAC, which will then connect to my stereo pre-amp and Woo 22.    I have two questions.   1.  Is there any...

  Quote:   Rumble,   Be sure to let us know how the two Woos compare on your LCD-3s.   I very nearly bought that very amp the day he listed it but was a bit over my budget and I wanted a true balanced design so bought a 22.  I told Modena I would be kicking myself for...

Quote: At least he has a good ear for amps, unless he's just trying to get a freebie from Jack!