Mini-ITX system

[admin_exported]

Hi guys, first time poster but long time browser. Thought id finally contribute something myself.

I'm in the process at the moment of building a mini itx system as a source for my system and wondered if anyone else here had, or was contemplating, a similar setup. The popular method at the moment seems to be to use netbooks or mac mini but my logic is that an energy efficient desktop system with a small footprint like the itx form factor provides much better connectivity options and upgrade paths than a portable system, at least at a cheaper price point. I would love to hear if anyone has any arguments for or against the idea.

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I do not see anything against the idea. Pay attention to (fan)noise, though, If you post your potential system components, you may get more detailed feedback.

 

[Anonymous]

hey, thanks for the reply. I operate on a very limited budget so forgive the lack of interesting kit. At the moment i listen to music either on my old pentium D pc or using my bdp 150 as a source, connected to a yamaha ax 396 stereo amp, using the headphone out with a set of grado sr 60i's. Hardly setting the world alight, i know . Now, building pc's has always been a keen interest of mine so i thought id use that knowledge to improve and streamline my audio system. My plan is to build a mini itx pc based on an asus atom 330 motherboard and 2gb ram, and connect to a CA Dacmagic, via optical, and thus to my amp. No need to comment on the shocking quality of the amp, its the next thing on the upgrade path, but at the moment im treating this more as a project to see what results i can yield, moving from the source onwards. Advice and personal experiences would be very much appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

I looked at building my HTPC in a small form factor case using an Ion board.

Then I bought an R3610: http://www.simplyacer.com/revo?gclid=CM3K94Hz0Z8CFRhp4wodP3rtKg since it was virtually the same cost as the parts for a BYO.

Completely silent unless you put your ear to it.

Using the SPDIF (optical) into my modified DACmagic and the HDMI into my TV as a monitor

Playing FLAC files ripped with EAC with Foobar 2000.

V pleased with the results.

 

[Anonymous]

that r3610 looks to have very similar specs to my intended system but i prefer byo's just for the satisfaction, and im looking at the compucase 8k07, because i love the design. How are you finding windows 7 as a media operating system? because i havent heard too much feedback on it yet. At the moment i stick to xp on all my systems using 3rd party media software, given that vista was a bloated resource hog that was hardly condusive to a silent and efficient media centre.

 

[PJPro]

I've been thinking about doing something like this for some time. However, the WDTVLive came along and I can't get myself enthused anymore. If does everthing I need from a music source prespective, is small, silent and without the noisy power supply usually associated with a PC. It still needs a PC to rip the files...I use my PC and drop the files over my wired network.

The only thing it doesn't support is a swanky remote. But hey, I can live without it.

Take a look here.

 

[Anonymous]

W7 on an Atom netbook is no problem. Do not expect miracles in performance, but for normal tasks it is fine, and looks great.

If you are renewing the lot consider putting all your money together for a minimalistic option without DAC and new amp and buy active speakers (like the AVIs) to hook up directly..

 

[Anonymous]

yeah PJ ive looked at the WD and similar but for me its the diy aspect that holds most fascination and its the tweaking etc associated with pc's that makes it a keen hobby of mine. i tend to build a lot of htpc's and gaming systems but now im aiming at a purely audio system, as much for the experience of building it as for anything else.

 

[Anonymous]

No complaints about W7 - works fast enough on my dual core atom.

Using the WASAPI plugin for FB2K to bypass the kernal audio mixer and give bitperfect audio output.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi

I have a mini itx PC. I use it for my Sonos system.

Here are the components I bought from http://linitx.com/ . All the below was all I needed to get it up and running. You could always buy each component individually if you wish.

1 x Jetway JNC91-330-LF JC110 1.6GHz Dual Core ATOM Barebone System @ £123.00 ex VAT = £123.00 ex VAT
1 x Kingston 1GB 533MHz DDR2 @ £13.60 ex VAT = £13.60 ex VAT
1 x SAMSUNG SN-S083 SlimSATA 8X DVD-RW Drive - Tray Loading @ £29.00 ex VAT = £29.00 ex VAT

I then bought a WD 1TB Green drive and installed Ubuntu on it.

Boot up time is so much quicker than my, supposedly better spec WIndoze PC.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Jay

 

[PJPro]

Anathaema:yeah PJ ive looked at the WD and similar but for me its the diy aspect that holds most fascination and its the tweaking etc associated with pc's that makes it a keen hobby of mine....
Well, I can't argue with that.