Meridian sooloos, Olive 6HD, ??

Mac mini late 2009 will deliver better SQ with Amarra or PM and may be cheaper too IME. It can be further improved with some published tweaks and replacing hard disk with SSD. About $1200 total outlay.

Ripper should be either dbpoweramp on PC or XLD on Mac. Makes a big difference.

You will need a good USB interface and DAC to go with it. This is where you can even outperform good vinyl if you make the right choices.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

The new Olive One coming out looks like it may be a good alternative. They're dropping the proprietary format. Can get it with or without HDs and looks to be under $1k to start. They've already responded to complaints that it was only coming out with built in amps and no digital out, they are adding digital output.

I'm still waiting to get more details on "HP Connected Music powered by Meridian":

http://www.meridian-audio.com/hp-connected-music.aspx

Not yet clear, but it suggests you could effectively have a Meridian Sooloos on a $500 laptop.

The computer audio forums have endless posts with widely diverse opinions on what Mac Mini setup is best with the only thing universally shared among them is the desire to spend free time tinkering with tweaks.

The Meridian media servers appear the most user friendly for those who don't want to screw around with computer stuff, albeit at a steep price.

The old Olive O6HD had serious issues and the new 6HD is big improvement, alas they retained the puke green Fischer Price disc slot surround. OK it's their company color but lose the toy look and maybe gain some more customers.

That HP + Meridian software. Sigh! Another reason HP's share price and sales have been tanking, a roll out on web about this exciting! music software on 'select' HP computers and then you can't find where to try/buy it.

Some of us are just old enough we want an audio device that is plug and play, user intuitive, upgradable and by a business that will be around for awhile. For those who hangout on Computer Audiophile and the DIY sites discussing details of microprocessors and DSD hacks, good for you, but most of us don't give a d**m about that stuff.

Cheers!

d**n it! (c: