No flash memory mp3 SHELF stereo systems?
I'm early in the process of going digital re household music (video next on the list) and while it seems easy ~and relatively inexpensive~ to do either portable ipod-ish music AND entertainment server-based home theatre surround sound, the middle ground seems to be kind of barren.
What about a dumb-as-a-brick shelf stereo system? There are some parts of the house where I only want to slap in a sd card and hit the PLAY button and could care less about having the media center UI. Also, getting rid of the fan and disk noise would be a big plus in a study or bedroom installation. K.I.S.S. still is the best OS of all.
Having the Zen Micro jacked into an Extigy external Soundblaster card (with remote) and 5.1 CMSS digital speakers seems like the only way to go right now but, man, that's a bit of overkill don't you think?
Audiotron
I've had an audiotron for 2 years and love it. You rip the music to an old pc with a big hard drive (I use a 233MHZ circa 1998 with 200GB hard drive). You then plug the audiotron into your network and stereo and you're good to go. If you want can use the unit by itself, you'll just need powered speakers.
I am going for the MS Media C
I am going for the MS Media Center (on top of all the other junk I have LOL). Some friends of mine (in the US) got it some time ago. They used to love ToVo - not all they use is the MS box. You really have to be a dedicated MS hater not to love that box :)
I had the Extigy just lying a
I had the Extigy just lying about (from an aborted run of Dragon Dictate).
http://www.techwatch.com.au/articles/creative-extigy-launch/
It's apparently sort of a Swiss-Army Knife of digital audio. If it works as billed, it'll be sort of a receiver in the mp3 component system. It'll also give me remote volume control.
http://www.techwatch.com.au/articles/creative-extigy-launch/
I paired that up with the T5400 speakers
http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=4&subcategory=25&product=5077
Hey! Wait, looks like I found a possibility, Zen Jukebox
http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=9288&campid=20445
I use an IPOD
I use an Ipod with a docking station at work and at home... I just leave it play all day on random and tote it to work, plug it in and there it goes...take it home plug it in and there it goes.
At home I use a 1/8" to RCA and go directly to a shelf system, at work it goes to computer speakers, and in between it can go into headphones.
It was a really simple solution...but will run you around 100 per extra dock and charger...which is just a rip off, but lets me listen to music 18hrs a day.
Yeah, we're both ended up wit
Yeah, we're both ended up with the handheld as the mp3 server. I'm replacing a large-ish, 10-yr-old component system (200 CD jukebox, tape-to-tape, receiver) so no shelf system to use. I get 5.1 as a bonus, but didn't really need the watts in this room.
I'll save the blow-out-the-glass configuration for the family room.
Here ya go, Mikkel
http://www.tvix.co.kr/ENG/Default.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=1
Hook that up to something like this:
http://www.aliceandbill.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=47&sort=2&cat=all&page=1
iPod
Like Werty, I just use my iPod. I plan to start using Apple Airport Express to wireless stream from my computer to the house stereo.