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I have a question about media servers; it's a bit technical, I'm afraid. As I understand it, one of the main functions of a media server is to gather the metadata from media files and put them in a database. Evidently, the first time the program runs it has to scan all media files. However, from then on it can/could rely on the OS to signal any changes (deletions, additions, alterations). That was the way my now defunct NAS worked: updates to the database were virtually instantaneous. But now I want to use a windows10 desktop as media server and notice that in some cases I have to set how often the files are scanned for changes. 'Scanning' to detect changes doesn't seem very efficient to me. So my question is: are not there media server programs around which do not have to scan all the time, but instead rely on the OS to signal changes? BTW, Windows Explorer seems to work that way. Does Windows Media Player (which can act as a media server too) use that information?

I have no experience building PC's and have been looking for a ready built fanless computer along the lines of the CAPS series. After reading countless forums on the the subject I know I am not alone. My research has come across this unit from Atlast Solutions in an attractive case that includes a single PCI-e slot for your audio specific USB card. Fanless cpu cooler with heat pipes, core i5 processor, 8gb RAM and Samsung 120 GB SSD for $716 ex VAT. I would really like to know what CA community thinks of this unit.The price and overall package seems like the best I can find out there in a ready made unit. Ultimate Fanless PC, Core i5, Dual DVB-T2 Tuner, 8GB, 120GB SSD [ASUS Q87T] - Atlast! Solutions

Gents (and Ladies too of course!)- I am Soliciting your input and ideas on how to build/buy my dream music server with the following specs: Hardware: WiFi Bluetooth 2-3 USB 2.0-3.0 1TB Internal HD Optional- SSD Digital out (optical or coax) optional - analog RCA L/R out Great audio quality Quiet cool Small-medium footprint (12"x8"x2" ish) Stackable, or at least can sit on top of a CD Player Supports: external USB cd rom external USB NTFS HD Software: Audio file management & playback Web browser Supports iTunes file formats including Apple Lossless Supports MP3 & FLAC Optional- DSD playback Supports complete iPad control. (No monitor, keyboard or mouse needed) Supports DLNA discovery Supports Pandora, Spotify, and TuneIn apps Ideally this would cost less then $1000 US. I am (mostly) OS and Hardware agnostic. I would mostly connect this to my DAC, and then into my integrated amp, etc. I liked the idea of an Olive one, less the LCD and the amp outputs, but that is seeming less and less likely. I welcome your comments and suggestions on how to build or buy this pie in the sky media server/streamer. Thanks all in advance!

I'd very much like to build a server based on the CAPS designs, but all of these designs seem to be based on USB technology. I'd prefer to use my Lynx audio card for a few practical reasons: I already own it; The distance from my server to my DAC is more than the approximately 16 foot limit associated with USB cables; and I already have a sufficiently long custom made XLR cable to feed my DAC. The Lynx card requires a PCI slot, and there aren't any in the motherboards specified for the CAPS designs. Further, I am unsure whether the specified cases would fit a half size PCI card. The card dimensions are 5.0" H X 7.4" W X 0.75" D. I would appreciate advice on an alternate motherboard that would include a PCI slot and otherwise meet the design parameters specified in the CAPS designs. I would also appreciate advice on the suitability of the CAPS cases and power supplies with the use of the Lynx card and alternate motherboard. Are there other design considerations that I am missing?

I am looking into a Bryston/Marantz/CAPS/Aurender type media server. Is there a difference in sound quality having Cat-5 Ethernet directly from NAS or router to media server versus say setting airport express in the listening room and running CAT-5 out of it into the media server? My problem is that we have an old house, and large distance between room where the router/modem is and the main listening room, and hardwiring everything will cost some $$$. Present Setup: a Synology NAS upstairs in an office hardwired via CAT-5 to an Apple Time Capsule. The Time capsule, however, is NOT hardwired to the Router (downstairs), but runs off WiFi. My listening room is also on the main floor (with the router/modem), 125 feet from the main router (and downstairs and 100 feet from my NAS) I can hire someone to hardwire CAT-5 from the NAS to the listening room or router to listening room,but not sure that is worth it as the NAS is essentially already wirelessly connected? I assume, if there truly is a benefit to hardwiring it, that I would also need to run CAT-5 from the 1st Floor modem/router to the 2nd floor NAS in the upstair office, and then also to the main listening room on that 1st floor. Then, how much of an audible difference would there be, to say just getting a $99 Airport, and extending the wireless network into the listening room, and hardwiring from that Airport to said media server? I am hoping this makes sense, and appreciate any help. Thanks

View Classified Antipodes K50 Media Server Do-it-all reference quality server and player Specs https://antipodes.audio/antipodes-k50/ Storage and ripping 3x 2.5″ SATA SSDs (plug and play) 2x USB Ports for USB Disks USB Ports For External CD Ripper (eg. Antipodes K10) USB Audio USB Audio 2.0 Output S/PDIF Output (OCXO Reclocked) Digital Output on BNC Digital Output on RCA Digital Output on Toslink AES3 Digital Audio Output on 3-pin XLR I2S Output (OCXO Reclocked) I2S Digital Output on RJ45 I2S Digital Output on HDMI Isolated Ethernet for Streaming DACs Ethernet Connection for Direct Streaming to Streamer on RJ45 Master Clock Output OCXO Word Clock Master Output on BNC Power Mains Power IEC Inlet – User Switchable 110-120V to 220-240V Reviews https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/digital-reviews/network-player-reviews/antipodes-k50-music-server/ https://www.stereophile.com/content/antipodes-audio-k50-music-server Notes I've been using it as a Roon Server + Squeeze Player + Internal OCXO Re-clocked SPDIF output Tested I2S on Denafrips DACs and it sounds fantastic, better than Gaia Updated to latest 3.12 firmware which bought about further improvement to the Squeeze sound quality. Fully broken in power supply (it took 6 months for full break in) Antipodes has the best customer support I've ever experienced Original owner, 8 months old Reason for sale: Upgrading Price Original K50: $15,000 Asking $11,000 (including shipping and PayPal FF) Removed K10 Seller nkbg Date 12/18/21 Price 11,000.00 USD Category Music Servers / Streamers