baetis media server

I purchased the Baetis recently and couldn't be happier. When you look at the design of this unit and the fact it started with listening to mother boards through a Wilson Maxx system to be sure they used the best audio sounding board first, then building the best of computer needs around it makes this a huge notch above just buying a computer for audio. There is no sound card; the sound comes right off the mother board through a BNC connection on the back. The several USB ports to add additional external hard drives was well thought out. The ability to connect to the internet via Ethernet or WiFi allows flexibility if too far from a hard wire connection. The inclusion of a low noise fan to cool the processor. You can't even hear the fan. John Mingo and his son Dan are to be commended for constructing a well thought out unit. John told me I'd like my DSD downloads converted back and play through the BNC connection than through the USB connection and I am beginning to believe him! Watch for a review of this unit in the February Absolute Sound. This unit should definitely be on your list of servers; you won't regret owning one.

The CD ripping is not due to the hardware or software, probably user error. The drive is very high quality. I purchased dB Poweramp to rip my CDs and another (can't remember name) to rip my Blue Rays. Do yourself a favor and buy dB Poweramp; it is fantastic and a powerful software. I didn't have the Baetis when I ripped my CD's so I used my laptop and saved to a file on my laptop first so I could clean up the genres, titles of CDs, etc. then I transferred the files to an external hard drive and connected it to the Baetis. Call John at Baetis to discuss unit. You will come away very confident this is the way to go.

Colekat; I ditto your comments. The review in the February Absolute Sound may finally make others aware that buying just any computer for audio playback isn't a wise choice for computer audio. Glad you're enjoying your Baetis as much as I am; so glad I met John and Dan Mingo and investigated the design philosophy of this unit.

I sold my Esoteric X-03SE when I purchased the Baetis and use Snake River Audio Mamushi and a Boomslang digital cable. Excellent cabling and building a wonderful following. I spoke with Jonny Wilson recently and he is back logged with many orders and many new happy customers. Have you tried his stuff? I agree about the USB versus BNC. I would have kept my EAR DAC had I known! I really don't even need the DSD capability; the BNC choice far surpasses USB choice for playback.

Gee, maybe no one told me about the computer maintenance on my Baetis. I have yet to do any! I did get one Windows update, but that's about it. I do occasionally save my music lists in JRiver, but beyond that I am not sure what else I should do. Oh, last thing I do once a month is back up my hard drives to capture any changes I have made to any of the music files I have made. If you know of other maintenance needs, please let me know.