[sclemmons]

The "Headless" mac. Not sure what to expect, whether it is quiet, cheap or big enough capacity. But at $599 or whatever they are talking about at retail, I bet somebody will turn this into a dedicated audio server pretty quick.

http://dms.tecknohost.com/macrumors/i/ihome/

 

[IstariAsuka]

Meh, you could always just build your own dedicated source easily enough. At least around here that's probably a better choice.

 

[blessingx]

Really depends on what you're after. The G5 stock came with an optical out. I don't know many computers out there that do. Who knows if there is an iHome if it will have one, but something to consider. If fans-less like the Cube, something else.

 

[Helter Skelter]

The iHome/headless mac is currently just a rumor. The pics there should be considered a hoax until proven otherwise. In other words, don't start making plans until after any MacWorld announcements.

 

[hedrick]

I use a G4 Mac as my primary source. But the issue isn't the computer. It's the sound card or DAC. I don't how good the rest of your equipment is or what you expect from a source. Apple's analog outputs are OK, but so far they haven't been at the same level as the best sound cards or external DACs . Depending upon the details of the machine you'll have to choose either a PCI card or an external device of some sort. I'm using a Revolution 7.1 to do digital output, with a Benchmark DAC-1.

 

[Nospam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helter Skelter The iHome/headless mac is currently just a rumor. The pics there should be considered a hoax until proven otherwise. In other words, don't start making plans until after any MacWorld announcements.

I agree completely.

It seems to me that the "best" computer source would be just about any computer that can output wirelessly to an Airport Express. This allows you to put the "noisy" computer in a closet, different room, whatever.

Plug a Keyspan remote into the AE, and you've got a simple remote control for iTunes

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nospam Plug a Keyspan remote into the AE, and you've got a simple remote control for iTunes

With AE and the Keyspan you're close to Soundbridge/Sqeezebox prices.

 

[Nospam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessingx With AE and the Keyspan you're close to Soundbridge/Sqeezebox prices.

Unless you've already got a Keyspan and got the AE for $100

 

[ReasonablyLucid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helter Skelter The iHome/headless mac is currently just a rumor. The pics there should be considered a hoax until proven otherwise. In other words, don't start making plans until after any MacWorld announcements.

Kind of hard to dispute a video

Unless someone made a mockup model just for that purpose...

 

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nospam It seems to me that the "best" computer source would be just about any computer that can output wirelessly to an Airport Express. This allows you to put the "noisy" computer in a closet, different room, whatever.

I do just that, it is very convenient for Redbook in general and especially to use playlists on the big rig. My el-cheapo DAC solution still suffers from the sync problem with the APX though, and I don't know whether it's really an iTunes-related fault or just because the DAC is old and has no fancy jitter correction etc.. Once I get rid of that & equip my old iBook (now serves as my rc

) with a *silent* HD the setup will be pretty much perfect. Or maybe Steve has a less extravagant rc up his sleeve. Those iHome pics are fake btw., take a closer look.

 

[Helter Skelter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReasonablyLucid Kind of hard to dispute a video Unless someone made a mockup model just for that purpose...

With the quality of both the pics and video, it doesn't even have to be a very good mockup. Until I see an official announcement or detailed pics of one dissected, I'm assuming it's fake.

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessingx With AE and the Keyspan you're close to Soundbridge/Sqeezebox prices.

Make that old Sqeezebox prices. See they just shot up this morning. Wondering if their having a Macworld 'discount' bringing it back to their old price?

 

[dwin902]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helter Skelter The iHome/headless mac is currently just a rumor. The pics there should be considered a hoax until proven otherwise. In other words, don't start making plans until after any MacWorld announcements.

The headless mac IS real. See here: http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000383026207/
Apple's got to be furious

That video floating around is fake, however. The box has the wrong font, and from the video it appears to be just an empty box (the guy manipulates it with very little effort). Photoshop forensics have also turned up lots of incriminating evidence.

 

[lan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nospam It seems to me that the "best" computer source would be just about any computer that can output wirelessly to an Airport Express. This allows you to put the "noisy" computer in a closet, different room, whatever.

Maybe. I wonder how the audio quality of the Airport Express is. Given it's such a small device, it's power supply may not be that great and plus it has a computer wireless network part which is full of noise.

 

[Oliver :)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lan Maybe. I wonder how the audio quality of the Airport Express is. Given it's such a small device, it's power supply may not be that great and plus it has a computer wireless network part which is full of noise.

It's surprisingly good from the analog out. That's just "at a glance" though, did no critical listening. Strong signal, no interference. Using the optical out... well, then it's limited only by what you have on the harddrive and how much you've spent on the DAC

I just hope for an iTunes update to do away with the sync problem I have here, i'll do some more testing & turn off all the 11mbps devices tomorrow.