Apple TV vs Wadia 170i?

I have had both of them - and I liked the Wadia atad better in terms of resolution, but the Apple TV ergonomics and user interfase is a big plus.

Would it be nice to have a coax/AES-SBU digital out from this box?

Next step is surely a Mac Mini running thru a USB DAC.

I'd have to agree with most folks here and vote for the Apple TV. It does everything the Wadia does, and then some.

Plus you can use your ipod touch as a remote instead of as a source. I believe that with a proper reclocker or suitable DAC, the differences in coax vs toslink would be null. Personally, I've used a Benchmark DAC1 with excellent results.

I use a MacMini with an external terrabyte drive. I go Lossless out the optical port. I also use it for DVDs, Netflix streaming, Pandora radio, my Time Machine back up of my laptop. It's easy to control iTunes from my laptop or using the Apple remote/TV. Lastly I have Elgato's EyeTV hooked up to an HD antenna (less compression than cable/satellite HD and cheap).

MacMinis were just announced to be in short supply, which could mean updates. Also AppleTV is long overdue for an overhaul into a real piece of equipment.

I also like that the mini holds its value pretty well.

Apple TV/iTouch via an upgraded Genesis Digital Lens into "suitable DAC" is a great little music server.

The new PSAudo Digital Lens should be much better.

IMO,the homogeneous Benchmark DAC1 is "the" most over rated DAC on the planet. See the October issue of TAS.

If you want to listen to your digital files in their native FS, you need to look for another product.

I agree on the Benchmark, it was very bright. I tried it 2 different times just to make sure. I love my Bryston BDA-1 now, after trying many others.