Is this a reasonable Audiophile Mac-based Server?

I called Benchmark's technical support and spoke to them at length about your assertion that USB is superior to Toslink coming out of the Airport Express. They assured me repeatedly that Toslink would be "identical" to USB.

I know Benchmark says that it sounds identical. However, I can tell the difference between Airport Express (AE), Slimdevices transporter fed via toslink to the DAC1, or directly to USB. Direct via USB it better with a tighter sound, less glare in the highs, and more low lever resolution.

That allows me to save several hundred dollars by skipping the USB.

I would go with the USB version of the DAC1 in any case:
- More flexibility down the road as you can try USB direct.The excellent USB implementation in the DAC is one of the main reason to go with the DAC1USB in first place.
- Better driver stage in the USB version which is supposed to sound better than the last incarnation of the DAC1.
- You save yourself the $100 for the AE.

As for the interface, it's a matter of personal taste: Frontrow on a larger LCD screen, clicker software with a PDA, Laptop in you lap. Try them out if you can before settling on one.

Henry -

hard to see the walls... but if I were after the ultimate I would take both the wireless and the Toslink out of the design, wireless first.

Wireless is prone to interference which a hardwired solutions are not. You have a choice of Ethernet cable and the Opticis Fiber Optic USB cable for going any conceivable distance it takes to route it. Both are inexpensive, low profile and flexible.

This leaves you with a Squeezebox, Transporter or their new device the Duet at the end of the Ethernet cable which is nice because you can use the remote to access the server (Ethernet is two-way.) Check out the Bolder modified Squeezeboxes and the Modwright Transporter with the modified tube analog section.

The cleanest set-up would be to hang a NAS on the Ethernet network thus taking the computer completely out of the equation except for ripping.

If USB is your preference it is hard to do better then the Wavelength Audio USB DACs since they go from USB to I2S entirely avoiding SPDIF and Toslink. A lot of people seem to be real happy with the Benchmark and Stereophile has a review in the issue that came yesterday.

You can also use any number of devices to go from USB to SPDIF or Toslink. Hagerman and Blue Circle are two of the better known names offering this type of device. Use a very high quality SPDIF or Toslink cable (critical) and go into whatever DAC you own or can get a screaming deal on.

You will need to have a laptop or a Mini to control the server. Check out Front Row (an IF remote) that works with iTunes, that might work for you.

Also browse around for other small remotes - a lot of people have been playing with them and posting recently.

"RDC's experience is atypical"

No doubt. Apple wouldn't sell those AE's like popcorn if they didn't work at all. Henry did open the thread with "best sounding music server, regardless of price"

I doubt AE, SB3 or Sonos is that. Transporter probably isn't either from what I've read.

Re-thinking Henry's set up, if cost really isn't a factor I'd probably eliminate the desktop in the other room and put a mac mini and the best sounding USB Dac near the hi-fi rig, then use the laptop or some other cool apple device to control it from the listening chair.

And I still think I would hardwire the streaming if at all possible and leave wifi for controlling playlists and other computer tasks...

Henry,
It is a 'reasonable' music server. the 'audiophile' designation is up to you.

It is very similar to
my mac based system (DIAGRAM of LAYOUT) My system is based on equipment I already had as well (except the external DAC) Though I would have to agree with Ckorody about the airport express drop outs. Initially I used an AE connected to my receiver and found it dropped out occasionally ( about once every 3 days). I have since hardwired the connection using Toslink from the office to the living room about a 8 foot cable run. I still use AEs in my garage and bedroom. In either case (wireless or cabled) a DAC is a noticeable improvement.

To put my comments in context--doubt if I can link to my system over on another site-- here is a cut and paste ( a basic audio system )

Digital Source Digital Audio: Apple Power Mac G5 (see below)
Signal Processors Monarchy NM 24 DAC
Receiver Denon AVR 4306
Speakers Tetra 120u
Subwoofer Martin Logan Abyss
Speaker Cables Anti-Cable
Interconnects Ven haus cryo pulsar silver /Audio Art Cable IC-3/ Monoprice digital
Power Conditioning Belkin Pure AV
Other Components Music Server PC: Apple Power Mac G5 Dual 2.3 PPC / LaCie 500GB Big Disk Extreme | Music Server connected to Denon AVR via TOSlink Optical | Apple Airport Extreme/Express network to remote powered speakers in other rooms

the above system also part of an AV system

I found that there is a disadvantage to running iTunes from a laptop as a source to a system: when it goes to sleep(or one closes the lid) the music will stop. I really like the NetTunes application, a sort of VNC into your main server, it provides virtual control of the itunes on the main server. there is a slight graphics lag on the laptop side but acceptable to me. when you close the laptop the music still plays. I also use my ipod for basic FF/RW and pause remote control....that is with Signal Remote.

good luck
ed

Just to add on to Edo who has certainly put together a nice rig -

Running out of a G5 is a nice way to go. Before I moved to USB, I ran the Wireworld SuperNova Toslink from my G5 to my TriVista and it was very very good. Fine solution to 15 feet. No cables longer then that.

There is no "but" except that you really need to pay attention to the quality of the cable. Also be aware that not all Toslink implementations are created equal. So YMMV depending on the DAC.

However you may not need or want a G5 (full size tower) for your listening environment. It works for me because the rig is also my office - I just put up with the low level noise. If you are using a tower, one thing I would recommend is to take advantage of the SATA drive implementation rather then the LaCie USB/FireWire implementation. SATA is much more robust to live with (no FIFO/LIFO nonsense) and doing back-ups between SATA drives (which is essential to plan for) is much faster. Besides again in the office context it makes sense for me,

A lot of guys are doing Mac Mini implementations which seems like a very nice way to go if it works in your room. Both the iPod Touch and the iPhone can control it remotely. Front Row is free etc.