In article , Chris Isbell
wrote:
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.

That rules it (and most other computers) it out for me as a means of
playing audio. Even tiny noises from fans, etc, I eventually find annoying.

Alas, this is another area where magazine 'reviews' generally fail to give
useful info. Linux Format recently commented that the Dell is 'silent',
hence my mentioning it. However even there they didn't say if their comment
included the psu.

One of the things I do find baffling about consumer equipment is the way
people seem to accept items are noisy without comment. Particularly weird
when they are used to play music, etc. I still recall briefly trying a Sony
DVD Videorecorder. The fans in this were so loud I could hear them from
another room! Hopeless for even dialogue, let along any music below mf!
When I asked in the shop I got an baffled, "The all do it, Sir" type
response. Patently untrue, of course, as I found other machines that were
considerably quieter.

FWIW having been reading computer mags again in recent months I've noticed
just how little the 'reviews' actually tell you.

Slainte,

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html