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EndersShadow
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2008
- Messages
- 1,228
In thinking about how I listen to my music at work, I realized that just about any way you slice it the source components are my biggest issue. Most iPod's Classics lack a nice GUI for navigating menu's easy (compared to the Touch or iPhone), or are limited in HDD space for the price (Touch and iPhone). Even with expensive doc's (like a Wadia 171) you still need lossless files which are large by nature. Eitherway they simply lack enough HDD space to not eventually run out if you are storing files in a AIFF or FLAC format. So I thought in my head, why not just build a nice small powered HTPC that uses a touchscreen for your source. Pair that with a decent USB DAC to a headphone amp and you can have a very small stack of components capable of very good sound. Best part is you can scale up the HDD's as needed. Now I do realize I could just get a Squeezebox Touch and connect a HDD to it, but thats no fun 
. In looking at the market I know some folks would just add in a soundcard with a built in headphone amp and then just let the PC do all the work, but I know that separating out your components allows you the most flexibility to swap things in and out. That and a soundcard in a computer isnt the most ideal setting for ensuring you dont have any noise.
So I am embarking upon a little quest to build a nice small mini-itx computer. This computer might be connected to a network, but ONLY if I can stream pandora through Pandora.com using the wireless from the office below us (which I do on occasion but thats not this items main purpose). Otherwise it will be totally self contained and updated only when I bring it home to load more music onto it. I know Pandora streaming works with my current iPhone but no guarantee its going to work on a actual computer.
Here is what I have so far for components:
Motherboard (budgeted ~75 but willing to go higher if worth it): I decided upon the Hudson platform because its a total CPU, GPU setup and in theory it can run HD video, but I dont need that. Its got a dual core CPU and uses DDR3 memory. I am not totally locked in on the platform so feel free to make some suggestions, but keep it mini itx or smaller. I need a motherboard that has USB ports as well as a Coaxial or Optical port if possible. If it has both that would be even better but its not a must.
ASRock E35LM1 - I like this because its got a small heatsink fan (which I would replace with a more quiet one) and has SPDIF out so I have more options later on for a DAC. Its also got support for 6 gig per second HDD for future use.
ASUS C60M1-I - I like this one because its passive, but I lose the SPDIF output so I would be stuck using USB DAC's unless I were to add a soundcard on using the PCI Express x 16
Memory: Dont think I need tons of memory so this should be fine, I can always add another stick if needed.
Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066
Hard drive:
I will be reusing a 320 gig 7200 HDD I have currently for this project to save a buck or two.
Accessories:
SilenX LX-HDSS Hard Drive Cooler - I am not necessarily stuck on this particular one, but I will be incorporating one to cut down on any seeking noise as well as keep the HDD cool so I can keep any fans running low.
Cases (>100 if possible): Here is where I am having trouble. I want to keep the cost low initially and later on get a good case with a good power-supply but for now I am trying to go cheap here. I need a 5.25 bay for the HDD cooler initially as well as the fact that having a 5.25 bay opens up the option later on of adding a burner to copy music direct to the device rather than having to transfer it. Here are the cases that currently meet my criteria
APEX MI-008
Thermaltake Element Q - I like this one as I know you can modify it to hold a 120mm fan which would provide more than adequate cooling at a v
IN WIN BP655.200BL
APEVIA X-FIT-200
This is not a totally inclusive list so feel free to suggest other options, but please keep them small. I am not looking for something like the Silverstone Micro ATX cases that are MASSIVE.
Operating system:
I will still need to acquire a Operating system and I haven't decided if I want to stick with the Windows OS and go Windows 7 or if I want to go more open source and go with XMBC. Both motherboards should be able to handle that with no problem, but I am not sure how the output will look over a USB touchscreen.
Touchscreen:
Now the most expensive part will be the touchscreen and I am looking at some of the 7" options as I dont need it to be super big. Those seem to be almost as much as the actual system itself. I am totally open to suggestions on which ones to buy. I dont need anything MONSTER size, just something small say under 13" (prefer 10 or under)
Most of these configurations come in at under 150 bucks (without the touchscreen). For what I get out of it I dont think thats a bad idea.
I am curious as to everyone's thoughts on this build and open to any suggestions or comments about the Hudson platform, cases, etc.
. In looking at the market I know some folks would just add in a soundcard with a built in headphone amp and then just let the PC do all the work, but I know that separating out your components allows you the most flexibility to swap things in and out. That and a soundcard in a computer isnt the most ideal setting for ensuring you dont have any noise.So I am embarking upon a little quest to build a nice small mini-itx computer. This computer might be connected to a network, but ONLY if I can stream pandora through Pandora.com using the wireless from the office below us (which I do on occasion but thats not this items main purpose). Otherwise it will be totally self contained and updated only when I bring it home to load more music onto it. I know Pandora streaming works with my current iPhone but no guarantee its going to work on a actual computer.
Here is what I have so far for components:
Motherboard (budgeted ~75 but willing to go higher if worth it): I decided upon the Hudson platform because its a total CPU, GPU setup and in theory it can run HD video, but I dont need that. Its got a dual core CPU and uses DDR3 memory. I am not totally locked in on the platform so feel free to make some suggestions, but keep it mini itx or smaller. I need a motherboard that has USB ports as well as a Coaxial or Optical port if possible. If it has both that would be even better but its not a must.
ASRock E35LM1 - I like this because its got a small heatsink fan (which I would replace with a more quiet one) and has SPDIF out so I have more options later on for a DAC. Its also got support for 6 gig per second HDD for future use.
ASUS C60M1-I - I like this one because its passive, but I lose the SPDIF output so I would be stuck using USB DAC's unless I were to add a soundcard on using the PCI Express x 16
Memory: Dont think I need tons of memory so this should be fine, I can always add another stick if needed.
Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066
Hard drive:
I will be reusing a 320 gig 7200 HDD I have currently for this project to save a buck or two.
Accessories:
SilenX LX-HDSS Hard Drive Cooler - I am not necessarily stuck on this particular one, but I will be incorporating one to cut down on any seeking noise as well as keep the HDD cool so I can keep any fans running low.
Cases (>100 if possible): Here is where I am having trouble. I want to keep the cost low initially and later on get a good case with a good power-supply but for now I am trying to go cheap here. I need a 5.25 bay for the HDD cooler initially as well as the fact that having a 5.25 bay opens up the option later on of adding a burner to copy music direct to the device rather than having to transfer it. Here are the cases that currently meet my criteria
APEX MI-008
Thermaltake Element Q - I like this one as I know you can modify it to hold a 120mm fan which would provide more than adequate cooling at a v
IN WIN BP655.200BL
APEVIA X-FIT-200
This is not a totally inclusive list so feel free to suggest other options, but please keep them small. I am not looking for something like the Silverstone Micro ATX cases that are MASSIVE.
Operating system:
I will still need to acquire a Operating system and I haven't decided if I want to stick with the Windows OS and go Windows 7 or if I want to go more open source and go with XMBC. Both motherboards should be able to handle that with no problem, but I am not sure how the output will look over a USB touchscreen.
Touchscreen:
Now the most expensive part will be the touchscreen and I am looking at some of the 7" options as I dont need it to be super big. Those seem to be almost as much as the actual system itself. I am totally open to suggestions on which ones to buy. I dont need anything MONSTER size, just something small say under 13" (prefer 10 or under)
Most of these configurations come in at under 150 bucks (without the touchscreen). For what I get out of it I dont think thats a bad idea.
I am curious as to everyone's thoughts on this build and open to any suggestions or comments about the Hudson platform, cases, etc.
