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Help the 'PC Audio' bewildered....

I want a "device" that can hold 1TB or more of .wav files that can be backed up and can feed cleanly via USB to an asynchronous DAC. The device should be very quiet sonically and electrically and should be reasonably small, and be able to run without emitting any disturbing screen light. Sonic performance is paramount. Playing music must be controlled via my choice of android or iphone remotely without line of sight to the device. Price under $5k? What are my options?
mike60
hfisher3380
167 posts
 
Mac mini, solid state internal drive, external 1TB or more FireWire or Thunderbolt drive, Amarra or other third party software, external disc drive if needed to rip discs. Total cost between $1k and $1.5k.
mlsstl
1,452 posts
 
Also check out the Vortexbox servers. They are small, run "headless" (no keyboard or monitor) and the 1TB model starts under $500. They also have SOTM models that run in the $2,000 to $3,000 range, depending on options.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I second the Mac Mini, however buy a late 2009 Mini with DC supply. Sounds better than the AC versions. Instructions here:

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/recommended-systems

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
edorr
714 posts
 
You could get a CAPS 2.0 for $1,500 (dedicated optimized music server spec'ed by computeraudiophile website and build by 3rd party). You need external storage though. Not sure how it would compare with the mac mini route (I had one for a week hated it), but it has a dedicated USB output card, which plays a big role in getting bits cleanly into your DAC.
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