External HD question

wow I'm so glad to have that input. I'll just probably get a Mac Mini and do some different cabinetry so I dont have to see all of it. Plus then I can use PureMusic. Thanks everyone for input!
But I still feel like some company could probably fill a certain void if they would create a simple elegant box that served to simply hold a bare bones linux OS with the sole purpose of interfacing with a HD or NAS and producing a high quality digital output for audio. Maybe I'm crazy, but I'd buy it. Hell, I'd build it if I knew the first thing about stuff at that level...

Dcowen, that's pretty much exactly what I do. I use a computer I built several years ago from a few parts from Newegg for $4-500 or so, and run Linux. It runs the Logitech media server and has worked flawlessly for years.

But the Mac Mini is a slick solution, and is inherently a low-profile chassis that will work well near the audio gear.

Michael

What you might be looking for is something like the Bryston BDP-1 Digital Music Player. It is based on Linux OS and it's sole function is high quality playback of digital audio files. There are others out there including the Auralitti on which the Bryston design is based.

Mwheelerk, I looked at the Bryston product you mentioned on their website. It seems interesting, but I don't think it's what the OP is going for. For one, it costs north of $2000, and still requires a computer to rip CD's and tag music and collect files onto a USB drive to hook into the Bryston thing. It looks to me like Bryston has made its own version of the Logitech Transporter at twice the cost. And the Transporter gives you access to Logitech's free multi-platform music server that can be run on just about any machine.

For someone who was concerned about the price of a new Mac Mini (under $1000), that's very steep, especially since it doesn't alleviate his need for a computer.

I still think that at the moment the Squeezebox and a DIY PC (Linux or Windows) vs Mac Mini represents the best bang for the buck and most flexible option among music servers (it retains the ability to handle multiple systems at once, which a computer-only option direct-wired to a DAC doesn't). It's frustrating, though, that more manufacturers haven't offered a good, effective solution at a competitive price. After all, storage space is cheap (even with the flooding in Thailand that interfered with Western Digital's hard drive manufacturing and drove up prices) and networking interfaces are cheap. That's really 90% of what a music server really needs.

I still think there's a big opportunity for a manufacturer to come up with a slick and inexpensive solution to this problem.

Michael

Well, a little late, but as a followup, I ended up with a NAS and bought a Sonos zoneplayer. Everything hardwired via ethernet. It's pretty slick and the Sonos interface is nice. And I got JRiver MC for my media management. I'm happy. Thanks everyone for all the input!

Now that I am happy, it is mandatory for me to look at the next upgrade...the Linn Akurate DS is sure nice...