Do Audiophiles want a stand alone high end HDD source?

erin · 2nd May 2010, 01:47 AM

I use my fully optimised CMP + cPlay computer to play back my audio files to my external DAC. It is convenient and sounds as good if not better than any CD player I have ever heard.

However, the computer is bulky.

Ultimately I would prefer to use a stand alone HDD player that allows i2s output and SPDIF.

How many people out there would like there to be a high quality product that does this?

planet10 · 2nd May 2010, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erin

However, the computer is bulky.

Mac Mini can't be considered bulky.

dave

Luke · 2nd May 2010, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by planet10

Mac Mini can't be considered bulky.

dave

two problems with this solution:

1./ Its a mac.
2./ cost

erin · 2nd May 2010, 02:30 AM

I guess I should have given a few more options in the poll.
I don't think I can add them now can I ?

Computers are great, but,
I would like to keep my computer for email/ work etc, and keep the Hi Fi equipment totally separate. Call me traditional, or perhaps its to do with separating business from pleasure. I still find it hard to relax and listen to music, if a computer is on, I get tempted to check the email etc.

There must be others that feel the same way.

planet10 · 2nd May 2010, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke

1./ Its a mac.

It is also PC. It runs Windows (or Linux) natively (altou i'd consider that a downgrade)

Quote:

2./ cost

Elegance often has a price.

dave

toufu · 2nd May 2010, 02:33 AM

What's wrong with the squeezebox? The touch supports 24/96.

erin · 2nd May 2010, 02:43 AM

I guess what i'm really getting at is my desire to have the convenience of 1 or 2 TB HDD audio player, in a completely separate package that does not in any way look like a computer.

And apart from copying the music from the computer to the HDD, there is absolutely no need for a computer to be on when listening to music.

Variac · 2nd May 2010, 02:46 AM

I believe that some of the OPPO disk players have a USB port for attaching a HDD. I don't know how the display lists the presumably thousands of tracks on the HDD. Still, a very interesting option that I haven't heard discussed..

erin · 2nd May 2010, 03:03 AM

Yes there are various devices around at the moment to which you can attach a HDD. however they are for the most part, not really audiophile quality. Or, the interface leaves much to be desired, or you need cables and external drives hanging out everywhere.

I'm looking for an all in one stand alone solution - with digital outputs so that the user can choose their own DAC to achieve the sonic signature and presentation that the user prefers.

planet10 · 2nd May 2010, 03:06 AM

Olive have also been doing this for a while.

dave

View Poll Results: If someone made a bit perfect low jitter HDD media source, would you buy it?
Yes, if it sounds better than my PC	70	30.57%
Yes, if it sounds better than my CD player	78	34.06%
No, why would anyone want this?	23	10.04%
Yes, I have been wanting something like this for ages.	91	39.74%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 229. You may not vote on this poll

2nd May 2010, 01:47 AM	#1
erin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	Do Audiophiles want a stand alone high end HDD source? I use my fully optimised CMP + cPlay computer to play back my audio files to my external DAC. It is convenient and sounds as good if not better than any CD player I have ever heard. However, the computer is bulky. Ultimately I would prefer to use a stand alone HDD player that allows i2s output and SPDIF. How many people out there would like there to be a high quality product that does this?

2nd May 2010, 02:46 AM	#8
Variac diyAudio Editor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: San Francisco, USA	I believe that some of the OPPO disk players have a USB port for attaching a HDD. I don't know how the display lists the presumably thousands of tracks on the HDD. Still, a very interesting option that I haven't heard discussed.. __________________ Burning Amp Festival Sunday, October 28th, 2012 in S.F. We need Volunteers & sign-up's for what you're bringing!

2nd May 2010, 03:06 AM	#10
planet10 frugal-phile(tm) diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Victoria, BC, NA, Sol III Blog Entries: 4	Olive have also been doing this for a while. dave __________________ community sites t-linespeakers.org, frugal-horn.com ........ commercial site planet10-HiFi p10-hifi forum here at diyA

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2nd May 2010, 02:30 AM	#4
erin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	I guess I should have given a few more options in the poll. I don't think I can add them now can I ? Computers are great, but, I would like to keep my computer for email/ work etc, and keep the Hi Fi equipment totally separate. Call me traditional, or perhaps its to do with separating business from pleasure. I still find it hard to relax and listen to music, if a computer is on, I get tempted to check the email etc. There must be others that feel the same way.

2nd May 2010, 02:33 AM	#6
toufu diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco	What's wrong with the squeezebox? The touch supports 24/96.

2nd May 2010, 02:43 AM	#7
erin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	I guess what i'm really getting at is my desire to have the convenience of 1 or 2 TB HDD audio player, in a completely separate package that does not in any way look like a computer. And apart from copying the music from the computer to the HDD, there is absolutely no need for a computer to be on when listening to music.

2nd May 2010, 03:03 AM	#9
erin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	Yes there are various devices around at the moment to which you can attach a HDD. however they are for the most part, not really audiophile quality. Or, the interface leaves much to be desired, or you need cables and external drives hanging out everywhere. I'm looking for an all in one stand alone solution - with digital outputs so that the user can choose their own DAC to achieve the sonic signature and presentation that the user prefers.

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