Future Source: Digital??

[1117]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ech0 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Somebody posted a build (jukebox) w/touch screen in the "Post Pics of Your Build" thread within the last week or so and it was cool. As far as pc cases go nmediaPC makes some nice cases for multimedia. NMEDIAPC.com

Oh, those look nice! Thanks!

 

[Contrastique]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricthaman /img/forum/go_quote.gif that's indeed right. But that's also what I meant when I said that my options were probably too ''commercial''. Things you're looking for are not that commercial, at least not here in the netherlands.

Yeah, you're right and thanx for sharing those more "commercial" products. Now I know there's a market growing and more to come as well probably

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricthaman /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just want to say that Harman/Kardon (which is an audio dedicated brand) is probably coming with a server/media center-kinda thing. Maybe that's more audio orientated and it sure has very decent audio components. greetz

Now that is more interesting indeed. Looking forward to what they have to offer in the future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honken /img/forum/go_quote.gif Cambridge Azur 640H Music Server Maybe this could interest you as well?

That is what I'm looking for. Thanx for sharing

but the harddrive is too small with its 160GB. It's supposed to contain all my music in the future and with 160GB I will be finished quickly.

 

[InSides]

Contrastique... note the inclusion of 2 rear USB2.0 ports on the Cambridge Audio Azur 640H. I am pretty sure one could expand the storage capacity of the unit by adding external USB hard drives or even NAS devices.

As a matter of fact...

Azur 640H FAQ on Storage Capacity

Note the last sentence about compatible USB drives. Also note... USB hard drives are getting cheaper by the day.

 

[ricthaman]

Well, contrastique,

This is what I meant with the Harman/Kardon.

I believe that this is the old model, and that a new one is about to be released. But officially I think I'm not supposed to know that info (hehehehe).....check the link.

It has 250GB standard (the old one) but you can hook it up to a 1TB external HDD.
This model supports WMA, MPEG and LinearPCM. So there is a lossless codec. I hope the new one has better codec options.

harman/kardon

Harman/Kardon has very nice audio equipment and SQ is top notch!

I hope this is more helpfull

And I'll let you know when I know more about possible future products!

greetz

 

[stevenkelby]

I know what you mean Indra.

I want a cross between an ipod, a Pico and 1 TB HD. Surely it can't be that hard to make.

Portable, cheap and with Pico SQ.

For home there are lots of options, I would love a Squeezebox.

 

[Contrastique]

Quote:

Originally Posted by InSides /img/forum/go_quote.gif Contrastique... note the inclusion of 2 rear USB2.0 ports on the Cambridge Audio Azur 640H. I am pretty sure one could expand the storage capacity of the unit by adding external USB hard drives or even NAS devices. As a matter of fact... Azur 640H FAQ on Storage Capacity Note the last sentence about compatible USB drives. Also note... USB hard drives are getting cheaper by the day.

That is indeed very handy and it looks good. However, I don't want to go through the hassle of having attached 2 harddisks. It will be mostly used while I'm working and I do that at the eating table. Don't want to have a setup which has to be extended with 2 more harddrives...I know..I am kind of a demanding person haha but thank you for looking up that possibility. It would be loads cheaper than the Olive though.
When I will finally buy such a thing I just want it to be handy, all in one and price will be of less importance.

@ Rico:
That looks nice. Harddrive is too small though so I'm looking forward to their new model! Hope they will indeed support more codecs than that. Looks very windows-orientated to me. Thanx for sharing and for willing to keep me posted

 

[ricthaman]

no problem!

I don't think it's that windows orientated, more windows minded, so to speak. 80% of all computers or something in that range are on windows and in that regard it's no stupid move. It's understandable.

Only thing is that it probably won't support ALAC or AIFF, because I don't see them taking contracts with both Microsoft and Apple. FLAC could always be an option though, would be great but Big companies rarely use these kinda codecs, unfortunately.

So it will probably not be what you're looking for, but it is probably one of the best commercial products in this range and your searchfield.
So always smart to keep in mind I think.....

It will be a though job to re-rip all your CD's tou WAV on the machine, but there's always some kind of downside....

Those other options that were mentioned look like very good systems!!!

these things are just not for me, I'm a bit old skool I guess. Normal CD player or turntable and big amplifiers.......that's the way I like it.

Ohh yeah, and Stereo all the way!!!! (or binaural when on headphones)

greetz!

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricthaman /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't think it's that windows orientated, more windows minded, so to speak. 80% of all computers or something in that range are on windows and in that regard it's no stupid move. It's understandable.

Maybe not as understandable for a Mac person like Contrastique (and myself).

 

[Contrastique]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krmathis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Maybe not as understandable for a Mac person like Contrastique (and myself).

Understandable..yes. Acceptable...hardly.

LOL

 

[MichaelPublic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contrastique /img/forum/go_quote.gif Merely speculating here but I would love to have a digital player as a dedicated source. Something with a lcd-screen, controls, remote and such but with the size of a cdplayer. With a harddrive like real big as in 1TB. Any comments? Pros and cons?

I'm planning on doing something similar on the cheap-ish, use an Apple TV with the hacks from Apple TV Hacks
(not affiliated)
to use my music storage server which can house multi terabytes and is in another room for quiet.
The hacked apple tv has remote, access to usb drives, will play different codecs once hacked (software) and looks pretty/simple enough for the girlfriend to use (no offense ladies but in this case it's the truth). As a bonus it's small, has video outputs for monitors and tvs and has optical out for an external DAC
I believe you can train the Logitech remotes to run it also, if you need/want a fancy remote. There's a couple videos on youtube to view in use software hacked apple tvs.

 

[ricthaman]

wel,

I'm a Mac user too, so I'm not happy with this either. But it's just basic economics to know that you'll aim at the biggest market to throw your products at. Very simple theory.

But I didn't say that you can't use it at all with a Mac. You prbably can, Macs haf WIFI too... But I think the Software will probably be windows only. That's what I actually meant with ''windows minded''.

But indeed, no love for us Mac users from harman/Kardon so far...

greetz!

 

[Uncle Erik]

I'm in the process of doing something similar with the Apple TV. For audio, I'll have it serve ALAC through a Benchmark DAC1. I'll tie it in with a Linux-based server and the MacBook. I'll drop 3-4 750GB drives into the server and use it for video, as well. I like this solution because I can add drive space whenever I want and upgrade the DAC without having to throw out the rest.

 

[rederanged]

If you have a few bucks to burn, McIntosh can help take it off your hands:

McIntosh

Stereophile reviewed it a couple of months ago, and IIRC they weren't blown away by the sound quality.

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rederanged /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you have a few bucks to burn, McIntosh can help take it off your hands: McIntosh

Nice!
Did not know McIntosh made such a device.