On Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:16:52 +0100, Jim Lesurf
wrote:

In fact, I'd be interested to know if anyone here has used any machines
like the Dell mini 9 with a USB DAC and Linux. More generally, I'd be
interested in knowing of small machines that are, mechanically, totally
silent (incuding the PSU if a laptop, etc).

I use an ASUS EEE PC 701 running Ubuntu with an Edirol UA-25. It
sounds quite good through my electrostatic speakers ;-)

The EEE 701 is unfortunately not totally silent. If has a fan that
cuts in when the computer gets warm.

It does have the advantage of not being grounded when mains powered,
so does not provide a ground loop path.

--
Chris Isbell
Southampton, UK