innerspaceboy

My computing needs have been consistent for the last 10 years - I need a 24/7 workhorse media server with an external DAC for lossless audio, 6TB of internal storage mirrored to 6TB of remote external storage and a 2nd mirror on the cloud, an ISP with no data caps, and just enough power for database management, image editing, occasional video work, and 0 lag on large media libraries of 100,000+ files.

My current server is dual booting Ubuntu and Windows 7 64bit, has an AMD FX-4300 CPU, 8GB Dual-Channel DDR3, a Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2 mobo, and a U-Control UCA202 DAC (a fallback after my Cambridge Audio DACMagic died).

A local computer repair shop built the custom tower for $350 three years ago and I picked up a second-hand DELL E228WFP 22" widescreen monitor for free. As a rule I never spend more than $350 on a workstation.

Additional cooling set me back $19 and keeps the server at a happy 10-35°C.

This box provides me access to over 13,000 of my favorite albums and 16,000 of my favorite movies and TV shows from any web-enabled device (god bless unlimited data.)

For sound, I'm running a Denon DP-60L rosewood TT with an Ortofon 2M red cart, Focal 814v floor speakers, a Harmon Kardon copper faced tube powered 1950s tuner, AudioQuest Python balanced interconnects, XLO Ultra cables, Tributaries Silver series RCAs, and various pre and power amplifiers including a McIntosh C39, an Integra ADM2.1 power amp, formerly a McIntosh MAC 4280 vintage receiver, a Sonance SonAMP, a Yamaha 640 70s receiver, and a NAD L40 CD/integrated amp. Each of these are connected with my music server (and I've a Philco 47-1227 9 tube console radio-phonograph on the side.)

For monitors I run Sennheiser HD 380 Pros.

I couldn't be happier.

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