Music Server/DAC in Same Box

I think wyred4sound now makes one.

Olive 03HD, 04HD or 06HD. I have an 04HD and LOVE it! One of the best purchases that I have ever made in audio.

The Music Vaults are supposed to be very good also. These are available from Sound Science Audio in Colorado. I've seen ads here on AudiogoN.

Hi Kclone,

Read my article CD Player? PC Music? Naaa! Flash Memory Music.
You don't need to spend thousands and thousands of dollars (euros).
Just a Small Media Player and a Pen USB.
And if you want HEAVEN, just build my DC/DC Power Suplly for the WD TV Live.
Regards

I auditioned the Olive 0H4D and OH6D, at a local dealers in a good Krell and Kef Blade system. Un fortunately, I thought both were poor, flat, lacking dynamics and stage depth. I say unfortunately, because I wanted a one box streaming solution as well. I would say, stick to what you have got.

As a matter of interest, Kclone, have you ever compared your Mach 2 mini, with the basic cooking version, was there a real difference? I have not seen it said explicitly, but I get the impression that the consensus may be to spend more on the DAC, than modifying a computer source, better value for money?

The difficulty with one-box music servers is that the designers sometimes make poor choices for music rippers and playback software. They often exclude the use of individual tracks or certain formats. All of these things can add up to lack of choice and resulting poor performance IME.

IMO, you are better off to stay with something you know sounds good, like iTunes and Pure Music etc.. Rippers like dbpoweramp and XLD. Just put your efforts into making the computer itself sound better, like external DC supply, SSD and USB outboard interfaces.