The First item available from The Audiophile Style Collection is the limited edition Computer Audiophile Hi-Res Hat! The Hi-Res Hat features a prominent stylized CA with raised letters on the front, silver button on top, and computeraudiophile.com on the rear. Featured discreetly under the hat's bill is the date Computer Audiophile started 11.20.07. Internally the hat features a custom Official Hi-Res Hat label and the words Low Jitter And Bit Transparent repeated on the hat's seams. Now that it's Summer CA readers need to let their heads breathe a bit. Put away the heavy duty hats and pick up a very limited edition Hi-Res Hat!
The only constant in computer audio is change. Let me qualify that statement so as not to create discomfort among hesitant consumers. The only constant in computer audio, for early adopters and those seeking better solutions, is change. It's entirely possible to purchase a Mac, PC, or canned music server today and use it for the next five to ten years. But just because it's possible doesn't mean it's probable. As new servers, operating systems, and playback applications are released with better features and functionality consumer interest in changing solutions increases. Unfortunately switching servers isn't as simple as copying files or moving an external hard drive from one server to another. There are major incompatibilities between music server solutions. Some solutions like Olive Media servers don't allow users to export their music collections in a format usable by anything other than another Olive Media server. Other solutions like JRiver on a PC or the Aurender S10 Linux server support open standards such as FLAC that enable easy transitions to different platforms. The most problematic server switches involve Apple's iTunes, the most popular playback application in the world, and OS X operating system. 
Sonic Studio is marking the release of Amarra HiFi v2.4 by giving away 50 fully licensed copies to Computer Audiophile readers. Amarra HiFi offers a simple yet sophisticated interface and auto sample rate control up to 192 kHz. Read more to find out how to obtain a complimentary copy.
Just a quick update on the mobile apps and site overhaul. So far the transition to CA 3.0 has gone very smooth. Thanks in large part to the dedicated CA readers who've accepted the change so graciously. Also, thanks to the readers who notified me of minor issues with the site. You guys really are the best!
Computer Audiophile has been completely overhauled. Everything from the server that runs behind the scenes to the software that CA readers see every day has been upgraded. The site now offers much better functionality and many new features that were nearly impossible to implement until now. Some highlights of the new site include both desktop and mobile user interfaces, easier navigation of reviews and articles, better search capabilities, user groups such as U.S. CA Readers, U.K. CA Readers etc., user and group photo albums, an audio events calendar, "real" user blog capabilities and much improved navigation of those blogs. Heavy forum users will also be happy to know direct links to forum comments within threads that are several pages long are now working perfect. No more scrolling to the bottom of the page and selecting page 2 or page 3 just to find a specific comment. In the coming days and weeks CA will be continually fine tuned to offer the best browsing experience possible. To that end a custom iPhone (iOS) and Android mobile Computer Audiophile application will be available in both the iTunes App Store and the Android Marketplace very soon. I hope everyone enjoys the new look and features of CA 3.0!
The SOtM sMS-1000 music server may appear somewhat familiar to computer audiophile readers. The server contains the much lauded SOtM tX-USB audio output card, is based on the popular Vortexbox software, and can be controlled by a number of applications including MPaD for the iPad. Where the sMS-1000 differs from similar servers is the external design including alluring casework and elegantly hidden slot loading disc drive, and SOtM's ability to make the whole greater than the some of the parts. The end product of this careful component and software selection and design is great sound quality combined with ease of use. The SOtM sMS-1000 is not a techie's toy for tweaking. Rather it's an Audiophile's tool to help increase enjoyment of one's favorite music without the hassles or subpar sonics of other servers. The SOtM sMS-1000 Audiophile Music Server is built well, looks good, and sounds great.
