Music Server with no DAC?


Why doesn't Logitech or Sonos create a version of what they have with no DAC? Who wants to buy 2 DACs? Many of us already have DACs. I would love to get into a Sonos, but all I want is digital out. Similarly, I like the idea of the Logitech Transporter, but how about no DAC and drop the price in half or a bit more? Just have AES/EBU, S/PDIF and maybe optical out...

I think there would be a big market for that because who wants to buy 2 of something when they don't need to, and particularly when people are particular about their DACs and don't want the one in the Music Server.
lightminer
I also noticed that NuForce is doing exactly what I'm referring to in exactly the terms I'm referring to it in.

"NuForce designs its source devices to conform to industry-wide standards, protocols and formats. Our aim is to achieve perfect compatibility with all available companion devices. Further, we have chosen not to include DACs with our audiophile-quality source devices in order for the end-user to assemble a system consisting of components of his or her choice."

They get it!

http://www.nuforce.com/Product-MSR-CDP.htm

And they don't include the HDs - perfect! No paying 3X for commodity stuff just to have it wrapped in a different color plastic and a name stamped on it!

Now that I'm learning more about how all of this works *all* of these companies, including NuForce (whose stuff in general I highly respect), Linn who also makes high end versions of these things, all of them have to show what they have to offer over a simple computer and Media Monkey or J River, a bit of NAS, and an IPhone-style app...

One area where they win is ease of implementation for the non-technical but for those who can set up their own home network, I'm now thinking none of these devices make sense. Assuming you already need the home network for other stuff, that is.
The only price I could find on the Nuforce MSR is $2250. Seems to me that a computer could likely be configured to provide similar functionality for a lot less money.
"...Seems to me that a computer could likely be configured to provide similar functionality for a lot less money"

Yes, of course you can provide similar functionality with a computer, no question about it. The big question is how will you deal with very noisy environment - if your goal not functionality but musicality.

The "mortal" problem of NuForce music server, on my opinion, is that it cannot output signal with sampling rate greater then 96kHz. Since, even today there are recordings available in 176 kHz (Reference recording) and 192 kHz (Chesky) its already obsolete

All The Best
Rafael