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So far so good with the Studio Hybrid. Seems dead quiet to me. I have not listened to classical on it yet in a critical way, but even sitting next to it all weekend ripping CDs into it, I could NOT hear it. Besides the form factor, I really love the fact I can use the HDMI out directly to my 52" 1080p LCD television as the monitor and I am using the optical digital out directly to my AVR. So far I'm really really thrilled with this. It's everything I wanted and more. With the 320GB HD I will be able to load my entire CD collection and then some (well over 300) in wav format. Oh, and the "antenna" for the wireless mouse and keyboard are built into the puter so I have one less cord dangling about. I picked mine up through Dell's factory outlet for $369. I waited for months to find exactly what I was looking for and and really tickled with this. The only issue I have right now, and first indications are it's a software issue, is that at the end of most tracks and the end of very CD I get a "ppsssttt" noice. Sometimes it's quiet and sometimes it's quite loud. As I said though, first indications are it's a known issue with MediaMonkey playing wav files. I'm hoping that is the case. Supposedly it will be fixed next release. Back to the hardware, I cannot fault it in any way so far. VERY happy with my decision. George Roffe Kingwood, TX (Houston)

Once again, thanks all for your comments. I've set up my Studio Hybrid and have been busy this weekend. My software selections were: aBpoweramp MediaMonkey So far both have been easy to install and operate. Very intuitive. I was up and running immediately. I have had an annoying problem playing ripped tracks through MediaMonkey. I occasionally get a "pssttt" noise (sometimes quiet and sometimes loud) between tracks and always at the end of a ripped CD. I'm not sure if it's the software or the fact I'm ripping at the same time or if it's the hardware. As for the hardware, this is what I'm using: Dell Studio Hybrid (320GB internal drive) Optical digital cable from the server to the receiver Denon AVR-1700 HDMI for video out to my Samsung 52" 1080p LCD. Any ideas? Other than the "pssttt" noise I've been fairly pleased so far. I've ripped about 1/4 of my collection so far. Having fun. Going to really love this. George Roffe Kingwood, TX (Houston)

Outstanding! Thanks so much for the comments. It helps a lot. I'll get dBpoweramp and MediaMonkey. I'm looking forward to getting this set up. I don't have time tonight or tomorrow night, but I'll definitely start on this Friday night. I hope to get the computer up and running, strip the unnecessary software, and load dBpoweramp and MediaMonkey Friday night. If that is successful, I'll start ripping my collection Saturday afternoon. Thanks so much for the help. Looking forward to reporting results. George Roffe

I just received my Dell Studio Hybrid today that I will be using as a dedicated music server. I have no plans to use this machine for any other media. I need to select software pretty quickly as I intend to set this machine up this weekend and then start loading my CDs. My plan is to copy my CD collection to the HD. I pretty much don't download music from the web and have very few mp3s. I'll most likely save them uncompressed or in FLAC. So, I've done some looking around and am having a very hard time selecting software to manage my music. I know iTunes is very popular, but I'm not a big fan of it for a variety of reasons. Some of the possibilities I've come across are: Songbird (don't think it can rip in the latest config IIRC) Media Monkey EAC (for ripping) J. River Win Amp Foobar 2k My head is swimming a bit and I'm looking for help/opinions on these or other selections. I've tried to look through this forum, but haven't found enough helpful info to make a decision. So far Media Monkey and J River seem to be choices I'm leaning towards, but again, I'm a bit over whelmed at this point. When I first started looking into this some months ago I thought I had a decent handle on software, but am more confused now. So, anyone care to offer some opinions here? I'm not a serious techie who wants to tweak things. George Roffe Kingwood, TX (Houston)

I'll definitely let everyone know. Dollar for dollar it has better specs than the Mac Mini. It fits my needs in every way. I got confirmation it shipped today so I expect I'll have it in a couple of days. I'm going to take my time getting it up, running, and sorted. I'm looking at software solutions right now. I'm expecting good things!

Just thought I'd post an update... I ordered a Dell Studio Hybrid last night for my dedicated music server. Got a 320 GB HD and decent processor and ram for $359 including wireless keyboard and mouse and Windows 7 upgrade. I should have it a week from today according to Dell. Now on to picking out software for this thing. I'm going to strip all the non-essential softward off it that comes packaged on it. This will be strictly a music server. In fact, the only reason I will conntect to the web with it is to play Pandora. More as it develops. Thanks for all the help and advice. I know I'm going a little different direction by not gong Mac Mini, but the price and configuration is right for me. This should be fun. George

I just ordered a Dell Studio Hybrid last night for my dedicated music server (it's been months that I've been toying with this). They have some great deals on refurbished machines right now. I've been patiently waiting for exactly what I wanted. I'm getting 3 MB ram (I realize this is not that important) with a 320 GB HD. The HD is something I really have been waiting for a good deal on. I have a 500 GB external drive I can use, but I think it may take me a while to use up the 320 so this is a big plus for me. I am also getting a wireless keyboard and mouse which is great since I plan to keep the server about 15' away from where I usually sit. Lastly, it was supposed to come with Vista Home Premium, but when I ordered it, I got the Windows 7 upgrade for free. And free shipping. All for $359. I love my music, but don't particularly consider myself an audiophile. I will at least initually not run an external DAC (on advice received here), but will run optical out directly to my receiver. I will place the server under my 52" 1080p TV and use that as the monitor using HDMI. Looking forward to getting this together. This is replacing 3 Yamaha CDM-900 110 disc mega-changers. Can't wait to have all my music available at my fingertips. What am I saying? I've had problems with the Yamahas for the last 3 years. I just can't wait to have access to all my music again. George Roffe Houston, TX

Thanks for the input Mark. The 3-4" is from the center channel, not the sub. As for price, I am able to pick up a Studio Hybrid with a 320GB HD and Vista Premium for about $360. It's a refurb, but that doesn't bother me much. I appreciate the comments about Vista. I know it's not well loved and it was a point of concern.

Thanks all for the wonderful replies. I'll try to fill in blanks and I have a few remaining questions. First of all, I've looked at the Mac Mini. With the great endorsements by y'all, I'll look at it again. I'm not a big tinkerer, so that is not my attraction to a Windows-based system. I do think there is much more activity in the Windows world, but I also hate Microshaft, so it's a toss-up. The big reasons for thinking about the Dell is it's about the same size, has pretty much the same specs (including optical out) and I can pick one up for about half the price of the Mac Mini. One thing it has going for it that the Mac does not have is HDMI out. I plan on using this only for music, but the HDMI out will allow me to use my 52" LCD TV as the monitor for this unit. Here's a link to the Dell: http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/desktop-studio-hybrid?c=us&cs=19&l=en&ref=dthp&s=dhs While I do have a budget, it's flexible. If I go with the Mac, I will most likely delay my purchase. I'd be ready to order the Dell anytime after Friday (assuming I don't get riffed - Friday is the big day). That said, I will take another hard look at the Mac on your suggestions. Interesting thoughts about connecting directly to the Denon AVR. I will probably try this first with a plan to add a DAC later. While I don't consider myself a true audiophile, I do love music and if I can really improve the sound for $100-300, it will be in my plan somewhere. As for hooking up to Internet radio, that is the only real reason I will hook this machine to the net. I LOVE Pandora and really look forward to playing it through my system rather than my computer's horrid speakers. One question that remains is proximity to my center channel speaker. I would like to place the Dell or Mac about 3-4" from my center channel. I'm concern about the speaker magnets that close to my HD. I would assume the CC is shielded well enough that it shouldn't be a problem, but have zero experience with this. As for software and formats, I have a good idea where I want to go with this (either direct copies or some lossless format) but I'll post another thread about that if I have any specific questions. Again, thanks everyone for your input. Clearly I need to take another look at the Mac. It's nice to know either way I may not have to spring for a DAC right away. I'm really looking forward to doing this. Since the CD jukeboxes have died on me I haven't played music as much as I typically do. Having my entire collection instantly available is a dream for me. I appreciate your helping me out as not only a noob, but truly not an audiophile either. George Roffe Houston, TX

Hey y'all... First of all, let me say upfront that I'm not what I would describe as a audiophile. I'd love to be, but the reality is I'm not quite that committed. That said, I love music and want better sound than the average consumer junk. Here is where I'm at... I have a Denon AV receiver (10 years old, but sounds great for my budget), Paradigm speakers and previously had 3 Yamaha CDM-900 110 disc megachangers. Well, two of them don't read the CDs anymore and rather than replace them or repair them, I've decided the best route to go is a dedicated music server. This will be music only and directly wired to my receiver. I will not be using it to serve music wirelessly around the house. I simply want a better solution to several megachangers and if I can improve the sound some, that is a plus. I've researched this a fair amount and what I've found is: this is the only place I trust to get the info I need. I may not be a true audiophile, but the other info I've found is either really dated or what I would generally consider low level, cheap applications. FWIW, this site may find more like me joining for the same reasons. There is surprisingly little quality info to be found with a reasonable level of searching. So, down to the guts of it. First of all, I understand that just about any old computer will do. I've tried to locate a really cheap or free solution without finding something I would trust. I'm currently getting very serious about picking up a Dell Studio Hybrid. It appears to be sufficient to the task and has great form factor as well that will fit in well with everything else I have. If anyone has any strong feelings on this solution, I'd love to hear it. The techie side of this that I feel really unsure about is what other hardware I need. From what I've read, the only other thing I really need is a USB DAC. Is this correct or no? Long term I'd like to get a really good DAC, but for now, to get the equivalent sound to the megachangers I'm replacing, from what I've read I think most any external DAC should fill the bill. Thoughts on this? If I'm missing anything from a hardware perspective, I'm all "ears." I'm not concerned about the software side as there is plenty of info on-line about this. I'm not expecting to be "spoon fed" so if anyone has links to info that would answer my questions, I'd be as grateful as direct answers and even a little hand holding on this. Again, thanks for humoring me. And to continue something I mentioned earlier, this seems to be the best site readily found for this information. As such, an FAQ on this subject might help cut down on such noob questions as mine. Thanks all. I'm looking forward to doing this. Assuming I'm not riffed next week at work (next week is the big cut day) I'll probably get very serious about ordering the server soon thereafter. George Roffe Kingwood, TX (Houston) PS: Sorry about the length.