Best Server - Mac Mini or Laptop Or ?

I would not characterize the 2011 mini as lacking weight or threadbare, but I do have mine heavily tweaked. And that was a big change from stock (even then it sounded better than my Macbook). And this is even without the addition of a ssd.

Lion and Snow Leopard also sounded different and in the end I went with Lion. Players make much more difference and I ha ve heard all of the contenders and feel Audirvana Plus to be the best of the bunch to my ears.

Bixby
digitalaudiodirections.blogspot.com

Steve, for your new Override SE DAC (looks great btw), what front end do your recommend? Does simple window based loptop with no additional sound card will be enough for best sound? Any USB based outout from that laptop will be input to the Override SE DAC. Correct? Are you plannning to build and sell any front end simple plug and play solution , so one can insert the CD and the device will rip it and it will play from SSD or HD and controlled by IPOD or IPAD, so one dont have to do any tweeks or software manipulatinos?
Thanks.

"Steve, for your new Override SE DAC (looks great btw), what front end do your recommend?"

Mac Mini late 2009 running Amarra 4318/19 -> USB cable to DAC

"Does simple window based loptop with no additional sound card will be enough for best sound? "

Yes, if you load XXhighend or JRiver plus Jplay on it.

"Any USB based outout from that laptop will be input to the Override SE DAC. Correct? "

Correct, but some USB ports may sound better than others. A good USB cable is necessary.

"Are you plannning to build and sell any front end simple plug and play solution , so one can insert the CD and the device will rip it and it will play from SSD or HD and controlled by IPOD or IPAD, so one dont have to do any tweeks or software manipulatinos?"

Probably not myself, but I am working with colleagues that want to offer this. They are in the prototyping stages. It's essentially a computer with all of the optimum ripping and playback software on it and some scripts to start everything on power-up.

The problem with most all-in-one solutions in the market is that they either dont have the right ripper/playback software for good SQ or they are not flexible enough to handle all devices or all file formats etc.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Steve, thank you for a feedback, this all in one solution that will be reliable plug and play and done right is what still missing for many to jump on computer based front end.
Ideally many audiophiles want simple box that they will put a CD in, it will rip that cd to the best format (FLAC or WAF or others) to its internal drive and it will have wireless and wired internet connection and preloaded and tested apps to use IPOD or IPAD, so all one have to do is turn everything on and insert cd and remotely control it, connecting to Overrride (or others) USB DACs and get a great sound.

It’s quite a few solutions on the market already, but either they not done properly, require a lot of tweaking and sound is not SOTA , or they too expensive because they include functionality what your override DAC SE does and still require a lot of tweaking and preparation.

Denon1 - its Overdrive SE BTW.

I find the basic computer is the best way to go. If you buy one of these all-in-one servers, you are trapped into their software, hardware and feature-set. I like the computer and software to be a "separate", so I can improve sound quality and capability over time without needing to replace everything. Its kind of like buying separate processor, preamp and amps versus a SS Receiver.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio