Are music servers over-priced & over-rated?

[deant22]

So here's the thing...

I've been looking through the threads recently & I am perplexed, nay confused. I listen to music on lossless files, these are from a Mac Mini that uses my tv as a screen (via VGA cable), I also have a separate 1TB Stardom SOHORAID hard-drive (http://www.stardom.com.tw/sohoraid_sr2_feature.html) with mirroring back up to store the music (along with movies & TV shows). This then connects to a cyrus 8xpd & power supply, which in turn connects via USB to B&W XT speakers. Works a treat. I also have a wizzy program called tune up ( http://www.tuneupmedia.com), which gets all the cover art & details for each track so it looks snazzy. The 'front row' Mac user interface still looks the best out there and you can also get freeware like Plex (http://www.plexapp.com/), which looks equally awesome. Finally also have a freeware program called XLD for converting FLAC files to lossless, this program will convert anything including the Pope ( http://tmkk.hp.infoseek.co.jp/xld/index_e.html)

Now, the itunes interface is a doddle, the wireless system in the house works a treat. Why are people paying a premium for these music servers? Aren't they just glorified hard-drives?

I am just wondering if these products are around at the moment because we are at the genesis of a new music age. Computing meets Hi-Fi audio & therefore we are more comfortable with 'so called' specialist products, when of the shelf computer tech works just fine. Are we being suckers for systems we could build ourselves?

I'm not saying i am absolutely sure, its more that I am keen to understand the pros / cons.

Cheers,

D

 

[The_Lhc]

Simplicity. I work in IT and I started reading your setup above and glazed over halfway through, I couldn't be bothered with all that kerfuffle just to listen to music and I don't want my TV on while I'm doing it.

As for overpriced, well a Mac Mini is actually more expensive than a Sonos ZP90, from what I recall, so I don't really follow your argument.

Oh, one other thing, why are you connecting your amp to your speakers via USB?

 

[deant22]

You've sort of answered the question for me really. Music serviers are stand alone & you don't need a computer, correct? The sonos has a remote interface yes? I suppose the discussion point is why you would get a music server if you already have a computer through which you could play files.

You're right on the can't be bothered thing. I have to admit i've got quite 'trainspottery' about upgrades / mini programs that add to the aesthetic, its a fine line between obsession & hobby

On the USB thing, was using optical, but have had problems with it burning out.

 

[The_Lhc]

deant22:You've sort of answered the question for me really. Music serviers are stand alone & you don't need a computer, correct? The sonos has a remote interface yes?

Yes, it does cost extra but there's also a free one for the iPhone/Touch.

I suppose the discussion point is why you would get a music server if you already have a computer through which you could play files.

Because PCs are rubbish and can't be trusted to play what's on the HDD without changing the output and I don't want my PC on all the time as it's noisy and hangs, which is irritating if I'm trying to listen to something (I use a NAS, so the PC's only on to rip the CDs).

On the USB thing, was using optical, but have had problems with it burning out.

That still doesn't make any sense, the B&W XTs aren't active speakers, so how can you connect your amp (the XPd) to the speakers using USB?

 

[deant22]

Agree with you PC's are rubbish, I use the mini as a integrated home solution, its pretty quiet & to be honest never hangs

ON the USB / optical. I am a numbnuts, meant USB from computer to Cyrus. Nicely spotted. Doh!

So how good is the SONOS to use, what is it you love about it?

 

[The_Lhc]

deant22: So how good is the SONOS to use, what is it you love about it?

It's a piece of pie as far as I'm concerned, I tell people that it took my longer to unpack everything from the box than it did to get it working and for once, I'm not exaggerating!

My missus can use it and she's the biggest technophobe I've ever met (she's looking at me funny now because I'm "up to something" on the computer...).

 

[deant22]

The fact that your missus can use it is a real plus. Mine goes nuts when i am away because she can't work the computer.

These are facts we need to take into account.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Agree lhc (do I have to out "the" in front?). My ZP90 is probably the best thing I've ever bought. It's given me access to so much new music, and the instant ability to check out a band I come across during a film or when listening to internet radio stations.

 

[idc]

My laptop works fine as a server. But if I had the dosh I would have a specific music server and the laptop would go back to just surfing the interweb and posting drivel on forums. So the answer to the original question is yes and no.