Maldeguerre

Well, maybe I'm totally misconstruing the nature and capabilities of the Aries, BUT, if the Aries is performing the task of "reading" music files stored on a NAS, cabled to the Aries, with the Aries sending output to a DAC and the balance of a given playback system, the role of a computer is reduced to ripping the files. I can do that upstairs where I actually, you know, do my computer work, and leave the joys of music playback to a computer-less music playback system. I didn't venture into computer-based audio because I love computers, it was simply the best available option for meeting my audio needs for a stretch of time. I won't miss the Mac Mini when it leaves my main audio system, and I suspect that will happen in the near future.

So a computer remains necessary to "feed" the media library, if not for actual playback.

Wow, thanks for the prompt response, and the good news. Maybe you also know, does the Lightning app also serve to import new music, or is a computer still needed for that. Also, I tend to be very fussy about my album art, choosing to scan my own. Are there provisions within the Aries system for handling importation of art? It's be really sweet to arrive at a computer-less audio solution.

My, how this thread has GROWN since my last visit. I'm interested in knowing, and simply do not have the time to wade through the vast number of posts to learn, will the Aries & Lightning app allow for individual track selection "on the fly"? I'm a restless listener, and am usually just a single election or two into an "album" before I'm reminded of something else I just have to hear NOW.

The single notion of a highly 'optimized' music server is a fine starting point, but the mention of 'room correction' capability REALLY got my attention in a big way.

Thanks Eloise. So my current storage scheme could work 'as is', that'd be a relief. Is there any particular consensus as to the best choice, MinimServer / Asset UPnP / etc., for use by those of us utilizing Mac-based systems? I'll do my homework but if there's a prevailing opinion here, please share.

Thanks again firedog. My prevailing audio philosophy is "less is more", so if the QNAP HS-210 can 'cover the audio bases' for me and not drive me nuts with whirring, clicking, purring sound effects, then it represents my current front-runner for NAS. The fundamental question will be, does the Aries, with its inevitable system adjustments and additional expense, represent a meaningful improvement over my existing Mac Mini set-up? I imagine that as much as I would love the 'thrill' of being an early adopter of the Aries, I'll probably need to wait for some sort of reliable consensus to establish itself after release. I don't currently own either an iPad or iPhone, so I might want to wait until later in the year and release of OSX 'control' capability anyway.

Thanks firedog. I've read through Michael L.'s 'take' on the HS-210 and the Aries, and find his enthusiasm motivational. I had the same response to his endorsement of the Vega DAC, and have had the pleasure of living with the Vega, so I am somewhat trusting of his audio intuition.

Ouch, there goes my head hurting me again. I'm beginning to wonder if any sonic advantage the Aries might provide, over the performance of a optimally-configured Mac Mini, is going to be worth the grief. I can see where those of you who have already chosen the NAS / dedicated server path might very well benefit, but this is a whole bunch of hoops to be jumping through from my perspective. So, I really need to go elsewhere for a thorough study of NAS particulars. I was operating under the false-assumption that it was solely 'storage' tech, configured for network access. I had no idea that computing, and specifically computing power, were going to be a factor. From my modest investigations I had already deduced that sentiment seems to favor Synology over QNAP in terms of perceived performance. I have no vested interest in choosing one flavor of NAS over another so long as performance is substantial enough to drive my basic audio needs, AND performance is near-silent. I'm within eight feet of my audio array and noise represents a substantial 'drain' on audio quality, wherever it may rear its ugly head. If Synology has an offering as 'near-silent' as the QNAP HS-210, at a price I can afford, then that's what I would invest in. The whole issue of 'how much' NAS computing power is needed to do justice to an Aries-based system is something I would dearly love to see established amongst our resident experts. Me, I thought all the computing would be taking place in the Aries itself, including any upsampling.

I was hoping someone would say that. I've got an Audioquest Forest Ethernet cable in the house, but would prefer not to have to ante-up for something closer to the top of their line.

Ah, I feel less stoopid already, thanks much. So, I'm looking at the purchase of a minimalist NAS set-up to make this Aries thang work. I've done some slight homework and the QNAP HS-210 seems to provide the simple capacity I require, and it's presented as being a 'silent' solution, though I won't hold my breathe on that score. Still, quiet is best as I am situated close to my gear - within 8 feet. Anyone feel the HS-210 is a BAD choice? Also, no responses to my question about Ethernet cable quality for this application. Do I need to save my pennies towards a $500 cable to do justice to the Aries, and everything downstream from there? Thanks ya'll.

Help! I still feel 'dumb as a doorpost' in my attempt to fathom what, if any, limitations are facing me in incorporating an Aries as a direct replacement for my current Mac Mini-based arrangement. I think I'm getting clear indications that I will not be able to simply cable my existing external HD storage to the Aries and have it work. I'm deducing that it will be necessary to invest in a NAS storage solution, and will THEN be able to cable the NAS to the Aries directly, via an Ethernet cable, OR? I DON'T want to WiFi my system. If Ethernet cabling is the optimal direct connection to the Aries, how critical will Ethernet cable quality be? It's my impression that Audioquest and Synergistic Research are the only choices available beyond basic 'office' cabling.

So compatibility is limited to NAS, not DAS? All I'd want/need to do is direct-connect external HD storage, I hate to think that excludes me from enjoying the obvious sonic benefits of dispensing with computer playback.

I'm a little disappointed that the OS X version of the software will be delayed to later in the year, as I use my 42" Sony as a monitor, but I'll choose to look at it as a great opportunity to score an iPad!

Thanks to all responders. CJF, I could just raid my wife's vast stash of yoga props, I'm pretty sure she's got at least a couple of the items you described. Like Inferno, I'm a fan of Herbie's footers and will see if I've got a spare pair of Tenderfeet in a drawer somewhere, don't know why they didn't occur to me. As for the dubious matchup of other components with the Vega, I've gotten Vinnie at Red Wine Audio to build me a Signature 57 integrated amp, with an optional tube input stage. Vinnie has seen the Vega output numbers and is supremely confident that it'll be a fine pairing. The Job 225 will get kicked upstairs to system #2 and I'll probably put the Dodd preamp up for sale.