In message , Chris Isbell
writes
On Sat, 3 Jan 2004 12:31:53 +0000 (UTC), "db"
wrote:

Yes, try the Yamaha HD CDr1300 - 120 hours of uncompressed audio. SPDIF &
TOSLINK in and out, and all the bells & whistles. 2 year waranty.

Thanks. I took a look at its specification, price and even read the
user manual.

I could buy a PC for much the same price with S/PDIF I/O and a CD
writer. This would have the advantage of an Ethernet port - a missed
opportunity on the Yamaha device IMHO. It could also use cheaper
media.

This approach would have the advantage of using my existing DAC/ADC
and keeping the analogue signals well away from the PC.

(This idea has also been suggested by other contributors to this
thread.)

The main problems I can see a

* The extra effort required to assemble such a system - especially
the software.

* The fan (and disk) noise typical of most current PC systems.

* The inconvenient form factor, which will not fit well with my Hi-Fi
equipment.

However, I was shown a catalogue from Novatech earlier today which
contains PCs that look a bit like 'midi' audio systems, as found in
the high street chains (and typically sold as 'Hi-Fi'). Does anyone
have any experience of this type of system and its suitability for
inclusion in a Hi-Fi system?

Thanks,



Have a look at www.mini-itx.com

I use the VIA M-series mini-itx board and it is very good (if you can
manage with a 900MHz processor). It has SPDIF out and a pretty good
audio section.

There's some attractive small cases on the website above as well.
--
Chris Morriss