This may not be the place for this, but I couldn't find another forum that seemed appropriate...
I've been eyeing a 'music server' for quite a few years, but the technical expertise apparently required to assemble a home-built computer-based system is beyond me. All the advocates of these that I've talked to tell me 'it's simple' but their explanations quickly devolve into technobabble; I'm not particularly computer savvy. So I've waited for the audio manufacturers to answer the call with a ready-made component, which they have done.
Now, I'm rarely an early adopter, as I've found that waiting will generally get you a more 'mature' product (last try at early adoption resulted in my owning a DAT recorder...LOL). I'm on a budget (retired on a fixed income) so I don't have unlimited funds; I'm looking at $2.5 K or less. Some are simply too expensive, but clunky OS's, limited features, and less than sterling reviews have kept me away so far. I've also been holding out for one that looks like a 'component' that can be installed in a cabinet along with the rest of my gear, which has further limited my choices. I started looking at the Sony unit, but it's limitations turned me off... So that brings me to the X40...
This is a superseded model so pricing is very attractive. It's replacement (the X45) appears to be a fairly minor upgrade, making the X40 even more attractive. I've downloaded the owners manual and it seems to check all the boxes in terms of what I want it to do, and appears that most of its internal wearing bits are non-proprietary, which should make future repairs easier. What reviews I can find are generally good, but there's very little US-based information; most is from Europe. They don't appear to have much of a presence in the US, with only a couple of US retailers. There's also a ample supply of 'factory refurbished' units at greatly reduced pricing, but that does give me a bit of pause...
So, are there any end-users out there with opinions? Thanks!
I've been eyeing a 'music server' for quite a few years, but the technical expertise apparently required to assemble a home-built computer-based system is beyond me. All the advocates of these that I've talked to tell me 'it's simple' but their explanations quickly devolve into technobabble; I'm not particularly computer savvy. So I've waited for the audio manufacturers to answer the call with a ready-made component, which they have done.
Now, I'm rarely an early adopter, as I've found that waiting will generally get you a more 'mature' product (last try at early adoption resulted in my owning a DAT recorder...LOL). I'm on a budget (retired on a fixed income) so I don't have unlimited funds; I'm looking at $2.5 K or less. Some are simply too expensive, but clunky OS's, limited features, and less than sterling reviews have kept me away so far. I've also been holding out for one that looks like a 'component' that can be installed in a cabinet along with the rest of my gear, which has further limited my choices. I started looking at the Sony unit, but it's limitations turned me off... So that brings me to the X40...
This is a superseded model so pricing is very attractive. It's replacement (the X45) appears to be a fairly minor upgrade, making the X40 even more attractive. I've downloaded the owners manual and it seems to check all the boxes in terms of what I want it to do, and appears that most of its internal wearing bits are non-proprietary, which should make future repairs easier. What reviews I can find are generally good, but there's very little US-based information; most is from Europe. They don't appear to have much of a presence in the US, with only a couple of US retailers. There's also a ample supply of 'factory refurbished' units at greatly reduced pricing, but that does give me a bit of pause...
So, are there any end-users out there with opinions? Thanks!
