2. digital
  3. 1358511197

Meridian sooloos, Olive 6HD, ??

Confused with choices. What music server to buy? Budget $2500-$4000 new or used. Looked at Olive and Meridian. The exterior of the Olive 6HD disc slot has the aesthetics (puke green) of a Fischer Price toy (what were they thinking?). I want a screen and disc drive to copy my large CD collection to build-in hard drive and ability to add backup hard drive. Plan to use iPad Mini for control. Keeping my SACD player for my large SACD collection but ideally would like to copy my SACD's to disc and put SACD's in storage with my CD collection but not possible with current SACD copyright restrictions.
bgeofft-duplicate-0
saeyedoc
103 posts
 
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.
malcolm02
43 posts
 
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.
bgeofft-duplicate-0 OP
174 posts
 
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!
bgeofft-duplicate-0 OP
174 posts
 
d**n it! (c:
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
The HUGE advantage with using a computer rather than a server is:

1) you have control over the playback software
2) you have control over the ripping software
3) you can add a device with a good master clock and not depend on the crappy clock in the server
4) if you buy Amarra, you can have one of the best EQ systems on the planet, totally transparent. This can change your $10k speakers into $100K performers.
5) control over the format of the files
6) ability to import files of any type, not just albums

Ease of use is fine, but is it really worth sacrificing all of the above? I think not.

If soem server actually did it right, then I would have no issues here, but it does not exist IME.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
More to discover