DaiNut

like others in this thread, i've chosen the man301 for some key reasons, which are similar what's already been expressed: -- proven manufacturer who is committed to updates, support of the unit -- simplifying my system - one box to rip, organize, play -- no need for me to guess at what's the best thing to do - but if i want to tweak i can - otherwise the default settings will give me exceptional sound i owned the dac202 and loved the sound but did not enjoy trying to figure out how to make my laptop work optimally. i ran into little frustrations along the way and it caused me to not listen to music. since i've gotten the man301 i've listened more than i have in a long time, and i even was inspired to explore new music and purchased a few new cds. ultimately that's what matters the most to me. i ended up trading in the dac202 for the man301 w/ the internal dac. i was looking at the aurender as well, but i'd still need a separate computer to rip, and all that tweaking software to rip entails to make sure i'm doing it right, and i didn't like that the hard drives were inside the aurender. anyway, the system sounds really amazing. the dac202 is great, as is the man301. hopefully future updates will improve the unit's speed processing larger libraries.

Thanks Chris! I appreciate the patience as I've asked forum members some pretty basic questions. Count me as a newb who's finally figured out the basics and can now help other newbs!

I needed to use supplied sound files from Weiss. I tested my setup using the Weiss files and it successfully passed the test, my system is 24bit/192 bit perfect! I think all I have to do now is rip my music... WOOT!

After making several mistakes, I finally have a stereo that's based on a music server setup and making music for me. And it sounds really good!! BUT - I checked my DAC202 to see if what I was hearing was bit perfect or "transparent", and it isn't. I'm guessing that means as good as it sounds, it can sound even better. I have a feeling this has something to do w/ how I'm playing files back through JRiver. I checked the CA Academy and followed the instructions there, but one thing that wasn't available was the "Enhancements" tab, when I went to setup the DAC202 in Windows. What I was able to do: -- set computer's audio device as default, not the 202 -- set the volume to 100% -- checked the "allow applications to take exclusive control" box and the box under it as well -- set output to WASAPI When I opened the Weiss software, I set that to 192khz. I also set the DAC202 to 24bits/192khz in both Windows as well as in JRiver MC15. Hardware setup is: -- Dell laptop connected via eSATA to external drive w/ WAV files. -- Firewire to Weiss DAC202. -- RCA to VAC Phi 110i beta integrated Any clues on what's not right?

such a nuub. I guess I thought I could somehow make the player on the computer play through the external drive, or that the DAC could somehow see the computer through the connected drive. Back to the shop w/ this computer, time to get a different one.

Finally have all the pieces to put together my system sitting in my living room. I've got a test track all ripped. Only thing my laptop does not have firewire, but my Oyen external drive does, it's connected to my laptop w/ an eSATA cable. I'm using JRiver. Can I stream the music off the external hard drive directly to the Weiss? /sigh

"Moist! Wet" ... sorry couldn't help it when I heard the word "WET!"

I'm looking at DACs for my new setup, and a used Medea is close to price of a new DAC202. Made me stop and wonder if I'd get better sound w/ a used Medea. I think I can upgrade the Medea to Firewire at a later point, but if I went that route, I'd have to get some sort of converter to USB - Empirical Audio Offramp or the HiFace. What do you guys think? I don't need the volume control on the DAC202.

Curious to hear if you guys use power conditioners - especially any Weiss owners. Has a certain brand - or certain type (active/passive/balanced/etc) been better than others?

The point of green drives isn't higher performance, it's low sound, low temperatures. Some of them can reportedly be so quiet you're not even sure they are on! Anywho, I went w/ the Samsung Ecogreen 1.5T.

Wondering why these aren't on the C.A.S.H. I've been researching drives to get in my Onnto enclosures, and this drive seemed to be just as reliable as the Seagate and MUCH quieter and power efficient. Check out the review here: http://www.storagereview.com/1000.sr The 1.5T version is $99 on Amazon. I'm planning on getting two, with two single drive enclosures from Onnto, one serving as my media library via eSATA and the other as my backup.

I just pulled the trigger on a refurbished Dell. Current model, 4310. Deal was too good to pass up: $800!! Includes a 3 year warranty, and check out the specs: -- Latitude E4310 Laptop Genuine Windows 7 Professional -- Genuine Windows 7 Professional 32-Bit Operating System DVD -- 13.3 inch WXGA Anti-Glare Laptop Screen -- Processor: Intel Core i5-520M Processor (2.4GHz, 4 Threads,3M cache, turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz) -- 64 GB Solid State Drive, 2.5MM -- 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz (2 DIMMs) -- 8X DVD ROM Drive I know I must sound like a salesman or something, but gawwwwd $800 bux for this laptop is kinda insane. I'll get it next week, will get a couple GDrives to use as media storage and then backup, and I'll be good to go!

Interesting. So were you able to setup your miniMac remotely using a PC? That's what I would have to do to make this work.

I definitely would be up for using the CAPs but the only problem is I don't have a separate monitor, just the laptop I'm using now. How do I set it up w/out a monitor? The Dell Outlet laptops are really cheap... $800 and it's already built, has a monitor, and has everything I'd want, plus I could take it and use it for another use at a later point if I ever wanted to... thats my thinking anyway.

gawd i really gotta stop posting before looking around. check this out, a remote for JRiver using your iPod touch! http://melloware.com/products/rivermote/