Over the last several months I've researched different combinations of motherboards, computer cases, audio cards, and accessories that go along with these components. The goal of all this research was to put together a hardware and software music server solution that I would actually use and the Computer Audiophile readers could actually use. I would do the leg work, test & listen to everything, and provide the information for CA readers to put together the exact same music server. This sounds somewhat simple until one considers all the requirements that go into such an audiophile solution. Great sound, great looking, no moving parts, silent, fairly inexpensive, and 100% of the components must be available today. Along the way this server was named the Pocket Server by a colleague who was very surprise at its small size when I pulled it out of my carry-on luggage. The server is a bit larger today than it was at that time but the name hasn't changed. What follows is the story of the Computer Audiophile Pocket Server and all the information required to recreate the $1,500 C.A.P.S solution.

Thanks to some of the CA readers for mentioning MonkeyTunes recently on the forum. I decided to check it out and I am very impressed. Until now controlling MediaMonkey with an iPhone or iPod Touch using iMonkey was primitive at best. Fortunately the good people at Melloware, who originally developed iMonkey, we also unsatisfied with that application and created MonkeyTunes as a replacement. MonkeyTunes is really nice. It even uses Apple's Remote application as its interface. Why recreate the wheel if one doesn't have to?

Today Olive launched its new 4HD music server. Olive has been know for great design of both hardware and software. The 4HD music server appears to continue Olive's attention to details in these areas. The user interface and ease of use of the 4HD looks really good. The 4HD as a whole is a really simple solution with room to branch out. It's simple because one pops a CD in the slot and it rips.

I frequently receive emails about my music servers from readers interested in taking the music server plunge. Some readers are interested in a whole thesis with pros, cons, and longitudinal studies while others are interested in one small piece such as processor speed or disk storage. While it's impossible to tell someone what will work best in their system, I can let people know exactly what I'm using and what I prefer. I've listened to countless configurations on many operating systems and hardware platforms. In addition I continue to evaluate new, old, and state-of-the-art software and hardware frequently. What follows is a list of my music servers, network configuration, remote control options, diagrams of server placement outside of my listening room etc...

It all started with a simple idea and a few short emails between colleagues. What followed were four months of planning, testing playback and computer configurations, several trips to/from MSP, SFO, and LAX, renting the entire floor of Fantasy Studios, and truckloads of equipment shipped from around the country. I enjoyed every minute of the whole experience with the exception of moving components that weigh over 300 lbs.

Audiophiles using Microsoft operating systems have many options when it comes to customized music servers. Everything from micro sized low power music servers to ultra powerful space shuttle-like music servers (think noisy) can be purchased from numerous online dealers. However, the much preferred silent and solid state music servers are few and far between. One company filling this void is End PC Noise. In collaboration with Goodwin's High-End, one of the most respected names in high-end audio, End PC Noise is offering music servers built specifically for audiophiles. I've been using the mCubed hFX Music Server built by End PC Noise since I arrived home from CES and I continue to be very satisfied with the audiophile-esque build quality and 100% silent operation.

Earlier this week I published my extremely inexpensive music server based on a Dell Insprion 530. Now it's time to introduce everyone to the absolutely silent audiophile music server I've assembled in the last few days. Based on the Zalman TNN 300 PC case, this Windows XP system is worth the extra money in my opinion. No fans and no spinning hard drives equate to a very different user experience. Something seems amiss without any noise coming from a music server. If you've ever been in an electric or hybrid automobile you'll understand exactly what I'm talking about. We need some noisy feedback so we know everything is working. In the past this has always been from loud PC fans, power supplies, and hard drives. With this silent music server the only indication that it's still alive is the blue power light on the front of the case. It's very similar to adding a solid state power amp to your system.

It all started with a little post via the Computer Audiophile Twitter page. "Working on arguably the best computer based audio solution available. It is so inexpensive you won't believe it!" Since that original hint was dropped I've received countless emails and posts through the CA forum asking about this system. I've delayed publishing an article about this very inexpensive system because I wanted to be absolutely certain it could perform with the best systems available. Right now I am absolutely certain this system is capable of matching or exceeding the sound quality from any system I've ever heard, hard disk or compact disc based. The time has come to reveal the music server that's capable of reference quality sound for less than $1,040.

In Home Entertainment Magazine's December 2008 issue Peter Roth writes Computer Audio 101: Revving Up A New Spin For CD Playback. In the article Peter covers some basics for those very new to the game. He also marches up the high-end ladder quite a ways with the Weiss Minerva and the Wavelength Audio Cosecant. Having talked to Peter about the article several months ago I was hoping he would give CA a nod in the article and he sure did. Roth says, "After picking the brains of several industry gurus and surveying on-point forums e.g. ComputerAudiophile.com and AudioAsylum.com..." It's great to see the site mentioned in print.

 Just a quick update from the Apple notebook event. Apple has dropped FireWire 400 on its laptops. The MacBook Pro retains a FireWire 800 port, but loses FW400 connectivity. Getting high resolution above 24/96 from a Mac laptop just got a whole lot harder.