Meridian sooloos, Olive 6HD, ??

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:

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

I have the Olive 04HD and it sounds great,mine has a black disk slot surround but I could live with the green .Have checked the Bryston BDP-1?
George

Yioryos. Thanks for your comments. I stand corrected. Is the new Olive 6HD available with black and/or silver disc surround choice as well? Appealing to a younger market segment by loosening the buttoned-up attitude is fine, but few choose to wear white to a funeral or drive a neon green car - but some do. As Apple PR slogan suggested on thousands of billboards coast-to-coast "be different." Apple for all their "different" culture remain rooted in silver with their top offerings. To paraphrase Ford, "any color you want as long as it's silver." Unless of course it's Nano or iPod.