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Digitalmeisters - Thoughts on Olive.....

Just starting to think about using a music server. I don't want to use a laptop, but a dedicated music server. What is the experience out there with the gear from Olive products across the line. Will I need an external DAC for the type of quality I am use to (most recently I've been using Accustic Arts and EMM Labs). What are the alternatives that function similarly in terms of storage, interface, and DAC. I am a complete novice to this music server approach, so I just want to learn as I start getting my mind around the whole new approach (relatively new) to digital playback.
pubul57

Showing 2 responses by richardfinegold

richardfinegold
196 posts
 
I had bought the 4 D and returned it. Sound was ho hum and the software is terrible. It couldn't recognize 13 out of the 15 discs that I attempted to load.
I decided to go with a 2 TB iMac. I had previously used both a MacBook Pro and a MiniMac and sonically I was happy with both.
richardfinegold
196 posts
 
Airport express is a router with increased connectivity compared to standard routers. The WiFi signal from AE (or any other router) will then be captured by any device capable of receiving a Wi Fi signal. Alternatively, it can be directly connected ("wired") via it's ethernet or other connections to a device that accepts
a similar connection.
I have my AE in a closet in my upstairs. It beams a WiFi signal to my MacBook
downstairs. My MacBook is physically connected to a DAC (via firewire in my case, most people will be using USB or S/PDIF). My DAC is then connected by RCA stereo jacks into a receiver.
Some DACs are capable of receiving a WiFi signal by themselves. Logitech Squeezebox is such a device (and then it has other functionality to bring to the party).
I hope the above is not to confusing.
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