Music Servers VS Excellent Transports?

12-20-07: Audioengr said:
"... Digital is better than most people's experience, actually capable of surpassing the best in vinyl. Did you have vinyl before, or still?"

Steve, I just wanted chime and say I think you're right. I think we're on the cusp of some really great consumer digital reproduction and distribution systems.

I'm heavy into vinyl, new and old, and I've started archiving my D2D and rarer records to 1-bit 5.6MHz on my Korg MR1000. That little thing is incredible. A couple of problems with the Korg are it''s relatively small 40GB HD (can't believe I said that). That's a fine size for live recording, but really limited as an archive at these huge file sizes. Of course, that could be resolved if the Korg were able to "see" an external HD and be used as a player.

Having heard the digital potential, I'm reluctant to archive at lower levels. I do make lossless files to take to the office and put on my iPhone. (The 8G seemed like a lot a few days ago, but at least I have relatively good listening no matter where I am).

Do you think we'll start seeing servers that'll handle SACD/DVD-A levels of rez within the next year or two? Alternatively, will there be high quality universal players that'll be able to "see" HDs?

Dave

Davemitchell said:

"A couple of disagreements:

1. No CD playback can equal the sound of the best vinyl."

Agreed, but digital can be get extremely close, particularly DVD-A and SACD. Olive has a higer rez Music Server, but, unfortunately the onboard input device is limited to CD-quality. You can use wireless to load hi rez files off you computer. I'm thinking of buying their Opus No. 5, but a little bummed by the limitation to a CD reader/writer rather than CD/DVD RW.

Oh well, you can't have evrerything.

Dave

Davemitchell, thanks for the review of the Olive.

Have you heard DSD copies of vinyl? I'm making 1-bit 5.6MHz copies of my D2D vinyl with incredible results. You can't tell the digital from the vinyl. It's easier to identify cable swaps (which you can do with 5.6MHz) than it is to pick the vinyl in an A-B. I think that I can make a great DVD-A copy for "everyday" use.

Ultimately, given the low cost of HD storage, I'd like to load all my CDs and higher rez media into a server/transporter. Of course, the server will need to be truly hi rez and I don't think anyone is there yet. We'll see what comes out of CES.

Dave

Steve, that is interesting to consider. I can fly Denver-Vegas-Denver really easily and conceivably make it a day-trip if I leave early enough. I may do that. Thanks for mentioning it.

THE Show is open to the public, for a price, right?

Dave

Thanks for the offer Steve. I'll do some investigation and get back to you if I can make it work.

DaveM, if you can get your hands on a Korg MR1000 HD recorder it'll give you some idea of the amazing potential. Straight out of the box this consumer recorder will make stunning AD recordings from either line or mics at whatever digital standard you choose, up to 5.6MHz DSD. Ric Schultz is doing some mods to quieten the inputs and outputs and add some shielding to take it to another level. Not bad for a $1200 machine.

Dave