Bob D

Juergen, I agree in that running VNC is not good at all. I use it with an iPad but the hand controls with VNC on the iPad are not for everyone. However, the overhead of running VNC on the Intel i3 PC I have is not a problem. I too am interested in a better iDevice to drive JRiver. I have no experience with the solution you mentioned but am willing to experiment.

Noel, <br /> <br /> Thanks for the response. As I stated the big driver for me in using the Asus board is the HDMI and native USB 3.0. I think swapping it for Chris' design makes sense for me unless I'm missing something. I've read on the ASUS site the board is particular about memory brand. I need only 1 PCIe slot for a firewire card since I'm using the Weiss DAC202. <br /> <br /> I did have a question for anyone regarding the use of External USB drives for flac file storage. I don't think retrieving file from a NAS via ethernet vs a attached but external USB drive should matter. Do you?

Chris,<br /> I really feel am intrigued by your 2.o design. If possible, I'd like your input and others regarding a few requirements I've thought about.<br /> <br /> HDMI & USB 3.0:<br /> I have need for HDMI and perhaps USB 3.0. I'm thinking about using the ASUS AT5IONTI motherboard which has native USB 3.0 support. http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_CPU_on_Board/AT5IONTI/<br /> <br /> 1) Do you think connecting USB 3.0 External Drives (used for flac file storage and retrival) would be an issue as it pertains to server performance of any kind? If so, how so?<br /> 2) Do you think using a SOtM power supply filter on the external USB drives would be of value even though I can/would comment them into my PS Audio Premier Power Plant?<br /> 3) How did you install the SOtM Power Supply Filter in the M10 case?<br /> 4) Is anyone aware of other alternatives to consider for motherboards that would meet the HDMI need and have USB 3.0?

Chris,<br /> <br /> Thanks for your creativity in advancing high performance and affordable music servers. <br /> <br /> I have a few comments and questions...<br /> <br /> In addition to your design requirements, I have need for HDMI and firewire for use with my Weiss DAC202. I'm considering the ASUS http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_CPU_on_Board/AT5IONTI/ motherboard given it has HDMI. In addition, it does support USB 3.0 which may offer a very fast means to deliver music data files to the server via USB 3.0 external drive(s). <br /> <br /> Here are my questions:<br /> 1) Would using the motherboard USB ports attached to external USB disk storage compromise the spirit of your overall design basis? If so, how?<br /> 2) Would you suggest using perhaps a second SOtM power filter and external power supply on the external USB drives assuming the voltage rails are within operating tolerances of the drives? Currently I do have the AC-side of my USB external drive power supply plugged into my PS audio Power Plant. I'm not certain if the power supply noise is introduced during the AC rectification process or is simply noise from the originating AC. I don't know if the the idea of filtering the Power on the USB drives is necessary. Your thoughts?<br /> 3) Where in the M10 case did you mount the SOtM?<br /> 4) What brand and model of a Firewire card would you suggest for the ASUS PCIe slot?<br /> 5) What didn't I ask that I should have?<br /> <br /> Thanks Chris.<br /> <br /> <br />

Chris, I'm auditioning the Berkley and Esoteric this weekend. Have you had a chance to compare the two devices? If so, I'd welcome you input and that of anyone else's that has familiarity. Thanks in advance.