Enter to Win: Olive Media O3HD Media Server valued at $999!

[soulrider4ever]

Contest Questions:
1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server?
Answer. Yes I have one, but could use another.

a) if you are currently using, which do you use and why
Custom built windows 7 build with m2tech hiface into a DAC


2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why?
Sound Quality, ease of use (so my wife can use it), good looking.

3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)?

I'd like it to be WAF, and pay attention to SQ, jitter, etc.

 

[audioholic212]

Contest Questions:
1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server?
Answer. Yes I have one.

a) if you are currently using, which do you use and why
Windows 7 Media Center with eXtender.

2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why?
Sound Quality, Options, and of course : ease of use.

3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)?
not really....

 

[echopoint]

1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server?
I'm looking for a music and video server solution to replace my existing setup. I have multiple televisions and looking to wirelessly send music and videos to those locations.

a) if you are currently using, which do you use and why
I currently use a macMini which is using iTunes to serve up 1.5 Terrabytes of music and video to a single television/receiver. I can control this remotely via my iPhone. I want to expand this to multi-room. I'm considering an AppleTV for each remote location. This is a great setup, but I would like a front-end user interface that is a bit easier for my wife to use.

2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why?
Storage Capacity- I have a lot of data and want it in as small a footprint as possible (I also want to be able to back it up)
Performance/Reliability- This have to offer great audio/video quality, and be reliable and relatively silent as well
Price- I can build a system myself fairly inexpensively, but I'm looking for something a bit more elegant while still being affordable (I've been looking at Kaleidascope, but it's way too expensive)

3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)? What are they?

Must have digital output - HDMI is even better
Must have remote control
Onscreen navigation/ attractive user interface / easy to use

 

[slowlybuilt]

1) I have a HTPC running Windows Media Center that I'm using as a music server. I'm using because I it does everything in one box; DVR, music server, movie server, picture server and it is accessible from any media extender.

2) First is usability, clean UI is a must. Second is cost. Third is networkability, the ability to connect it to various displays around the house.

3) The device must be able to accept files that I've already archived, be they in FLAC, MP3, MKV or other formats, either via USB or over a network connection.

 

[JJMP50]

1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server? No. I have a Roku Soundbridge and have been using it for about 5 years.

2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why? Support of WMAL (my library is in that format), intuitive software, wifi.

3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)? What are they? As long as it performs well, no (Verizon Media Manger utilizing my Motorola set top box is unacceptable due to poor performance.)

 

[grateful4music]

1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server?
Yes (sort of).
a) if you are currently using, which do you use and why
I store all of my FLAC files on my desktop computer in the office, and
stream them to my HTPC which I connect to my home theater via Toslink.
That means I have to use the DAC in my Onkyo receiver, though...
b) if you are not, would you like one, why or why not.

2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why?
Sound quality, support for lossless and hidef music files (DSD/DSDIFF files would be a bonus!), remote control

3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)? What are they?
forcing me to use lossy files

 

[gregcss]

1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server?
I am not using or looking for a music server at this time. I think it would be great to have one so stream music without having to insert CDs all the time.

2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why?

hard drive space: would like to be able to fit all music and be able to add in the future.

great sound quality: a reason why i am not enticed by music servers is the potential loss of sound quality but haven't demo'd them to verify.

format support: support for flac since my lossless collection is in flac format


3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)? What are they?

poor sound quality

 

[oppman99]

Contest Questions:
1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server? Possibly looking
a) if you are currently using, which do you use and why
b) if you are not, would you like one, why or why not.

I would like a music server. Currently I am using my computer to play all of my music. Something with a view screen and that is easy to use would be nice. It would have to have a fairly large capacity because I refuse to compress my music.

2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why?

Sound quality, expandable storage space and the ability to play hi rez tracks


3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)? What are they?

Absolutely has to play wav and flac formats and be able to handle higer bitrates. Not being able to use an external DAC would be a deal breaker for me.

 

[Josuah]

1. I currently use a MacBook via AirPort Express for my music server.
2. Ease of use, price, and compatibility with iTunes music libraries.
3. Inconvenient remote control (not the hardware, the feature). I don't want to leave my listening seat to control it.

 

[Guinness6]

Contest Questions:
1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server?
Not now, as there are other components that I need to purchase first, but I think a music server would be a great addition in the future.

2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why?
1. Sound reproduction
2. Ease of use (both user interface & music ripping)
3. Size capabilities

3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)? What are they?
I think a remote is a pretty important feature.

 

[Haoleb]

1) No, But I would like one. I just cannot justify buying a seperate component when I already have all my music loaded onto my computer which then sends out a digital signal to a seperate DAC. Plus the ease of playing music off a computer seems to beat any server ive seen

2)Price, Capacity and how I would interact with it, and load music on it. I want to be able to browse and search as if I was in winamp on the computer.

3)Having an I-tunes like system where you have zero freedom in how you want to do things, arrange things and organize things.

 

[Anagoge]

1) I"m using the built-in DLNA server in my DVD player to grab music off a NAS. I'd consider a better setup someday if I can find one.

2) Fluid, quick UI, support for the formats I'd use (MP3, FLAC, OGG, WMA, AAC, and [optionally], lossless WMA), and I'd idealla have video support as well.

3) If the4 UI was not beautiful and quick, I'd pass. I already have one music server (LG DVD player) with a bad UI.

 

[fgiles]

My reply

1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server?

I own a (now) logitec slimserver, but it is not in current use. I'm considering looking for a combined internet feed/digital music server.

a) if you are currently using, which do you use and why

b) if you are not, would you like one, why or why not.

The current device isn't set up because I haven't gotten around to setting up an extra computer for the music files.


2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why?

1) Ease of operation. Current system is already not spouse friendly enough.
2) Would like capability to play internet media over the AV system.
3) Compatibility with current iTunes music library, which is largely apple lossless files (would not want to have to re-rip)

3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)? What are they?

The current plan for this functionality is to get an AV output card for the kids old computer and set it up as a dedicated server. The product would have to be easier/better than that fall back option to merit consideration

 

[jimbobby]

Media Server - My Reply

1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server?

I've been looking at music servers for a while. I don't have one but I'd really like to get one. I do have my computer hooked up to my Denon amp via hdmi-->dvi and toslink cables, so it acts as a media server, but it's somewhat of a clunky system.

a) if you are currently using, which do you use and why

Again, I have my computer hooked up to my Denon amplifier using hdmi-->dvi / optical cables. I have 2 1-terabyte drives in my computer but they're mainly used to store pictures / videos, not music files. Right now I'm using it because I don't have a more efficient system. Also, running the computer frmo my living room is somewhat difficult. I have to use a special remote control that goes through walls (but that's pretty cool actually).

b) if you are not, would you like one, why or why not.

I want one. I want one because I want my system to be more efficient, usable and efficient.

2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why?

• audio quality
• large capacity
• wi-fi

3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)? What are they?

Not really. Any music server, at this point, would be better than what I have now.

 

[jwenthold99]

1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server? Currently using one
a) if you are currently using, which do you use and why I use tversity running on my pc, it is free and supports flac

2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why? Support for all the file formats i use, ease of setup, and low cpu/memory footprint

3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)? What are they? Lack of flac support (mainly because I already have several hundred cds ripped into that format)

 

[arbeck]

1) No, I use Windows Media Center and Xbox 360 extenders to stream music throughout my house.

2) Size, Wife Acceptance Factor, File Formats plaid

3) Ability to play FLAC.

 

[Coult_45]

I currently have a computer hooked up to my stereo. It takes to long to turn on and isn't as easy to use. And the sound quality isn't great.

I would want it to be upgradeable with common inexpensive hard drives; I would want it to stream other sources; The Most important thing would be great sound quality.

The deal breaker would be a slow or bad UI

 

[BMXTRIX]

1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server?

I am looking for a media server, not so much a music server. I have a couple already and am not thrilled.

a) if you are currently using, which do you use and why

I picked up a Xiva iMerge server a number of years ago and it works well enough for music. The storage capacity is limited these days and it is arcane to what is available now.

I also have a AppleTV which is great - if it didn't require me to keep another PC on, and on my network 24/7 for it to work.

2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why?

Video capability. Seriously, I think the stand alone music server died several years ago. The ability for playback from iMerge, Apple, Sonos, AudioRequest, and about 3,000 other products at prices all over the spectrum has been in full tilt for over a decade now. There is very little about the current products which are even worth getting excited about. On the other hand, flawless BD ISO playback from a local or networked hard drive from a Networked Media Tank is a product still pretty much in its infancy and truly worth getting excited about.

3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)? What are they?

Yes! As I've been saying. The lack of video playback is a huge failing point for players. Even video servers often lack Blu-ray Disc support. So, if I am considering just a music server, I have to ask why I'm buying such a limited product when a good music server should be incorporated within a good video server as well.

Still, the 12 foot GUI is the benchmark for a quality product and it needs to be wrapped in reliability and expandability. 500GB of lossless audio may be enough for YOUR music collection - but when it's not enough for mine, then how am I going to be forced (gouged?) into going beyond the limitations of the product.

My iMerge ran $2,000 MSRP, it was not expandable, not sharable across a network, has a decent GUI, but is horrendously outdated these days by the typical iPod. I'm just not sure where a music only server lives anymore.

 

[GranteedEV]

1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server?

No, I am not, as there are a few other things in my listening system I want to get taken care of. I see this as a nice addition to a complete system, so yes, I would definitely love to have one. Right now I'm using an awkward combination of the USB-in of my receiver with an external hard drive and an mp3 player, and the HDMI out of my laptop complete with video handshake headaches, and my PS3 at times. Ghetto, to say the least, but it'll suffice until i've got a subwoofer, an external amp, some bass traps, etc. "Get the sound right, then get the sound easy."

2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why?

Addon plugins. As someone who uses foobar2000 for his music listening, i've been subjected to some amazing plugins. I don't know if I could live without some of that stuff. In fact my dream music server would basically just be based on the foobar2000 platform altogether.

Easy to use GUI/screen - As a plasma owner i don't want to use my TV screen or even really deal with HDMI handshake and I definitely don't want to spend 20 minutes trying to find the song I want because it just happened to be tagged poorly. I want lots of control over organization basically. Likewise, I expect fast processing and no lag.

Use as a purely digital LPCM transport- not that i necessarily mind a high end DAC, but I feel digital is the way to go. Especially since a receiver or processor may want to do its own processing for whatever reason (IE room EQ), so I don't want to cascade a DAC with an ADC and another DAC.

Those three are the most important, but if I had to add one more, it would be that the music server can cooperate with my portable music player so i can move files to and from.

3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)? What are they?

*Are there, you mean.

Anyways I would definitely never buy a music server that has poor firmware support, infrequent firmware updates, or worse of all, un-upgradable firmware. The last thing I want is to be stuck with an electronic that has one nagging issue which could easily be fixed with a firmware update that never will be. Feedback and a focus on improving performance are something which draws me towards some electronics companies over others.

Inability to play FLAC / ALAC / APE would probably be the other one. It's all about the lossless.

 

[Boerd]

1) Are you currently looking for or using a music server?

a) if you are currently using, which do you use and why

Answer:
I am using squeezecenter from Logitech installed on my PC + squeezebox v3
It's cheap and sounds great + I am using a computer I already have so the server side is "free".

b) if you are not, would you like one, why or why not.​

2) When purchasing a music server, which are the three most important considerations to you and why?

Answer:
a. price
b. SNR/THD/Channel Separation or in other words performance.
c. features - configurability

3) Are their any deal breaker features in music servers (meaning you wouldn't buy one with that feature)? What are they?

Answer: Nope - the only deal breakers are lack of features