Quote Originally Posted by Ajani
Ummm Gents, the reason to consider any of those servers/streamers is not just convenience... a $300 Squeezebox Touch or a $50 used computer would make a convenient music server...

The issue is sound quality... I'd have to connect the Squeezebox/computer to a DAC to get decent sound... So IF the Marantz, Rotel, Cambridge, Olive units maintain the kind of sound quality those brands are known for, then you won't need a DAC to get good sound... Just plug them into your integrated amp (like a CD player) and listen to some sweet tunes...

My existing setup is a Squeezebox Classic ($300) connected to a Benchmark DAC1 ($1K) with an Audioquest digital cable ($30). So total = $1,330... Considering the reputation for sound quality of Marantz's cd players, the $800 NA7004 music server might sound just as good as my $1,330 setup (plus look a lot nicer - just one box)...
You left out part of the sentence?

Here is the post that got my attention and yes you made the assumption about the name brand. And when you stated that the Dac's in the squeezbox were only some budget level, I only posted the spec sheet to prove that their are quality parts used in the design of the unit. Now I re-read those ads again, the Cambridge does not even state what Dac's it has and the the Rotel use the Wolfson Dac's. So as you point out that I had holes in my points, but I only showed that the information on these are incomplete, so to say,hope or wish they are better is a reach. So even if I did tried to compare spec's only the SB would still come out ahead due to lack of information from the others. For some reason you think me and others are attacking you, but that is not the case from me for sure.