DBM Vortexbox Network Server

Typically a server connects to the network not to any particular computer or hifi.

I don't use the DBM variant of the Vortexbox server, my Vortexbox is from the Vortexbox Europe site. I connect via a gigabit switch to my router using standard ethernet cable. My NDS and UnitiQute are also connected via switches to the router using ethernet cable, so access to the FLACs on the VB and my other NAS is straightforward. I believe that the DBM variant of the VB can also be connected to a DAC via USB avoiding the need for LAN access. I found my VB to be quite noisy so I do not keep it in my listening room and have never accessed the files via USB.

It's interesting that the marketing blurb says that it will sound best via USB. I wonder why that might be?

It seems there are two ways to use it: via USB out into a USB dac, such as the V1, or over the network and accessed by a streamer such as the ND5XS. Used in the latter way would mean the you could control the music via nStream, whereas when accessed via the DAC, goodness knows.

Sorry did not read the spec.

i presume you mac has no cd drive, otherwise i struggle to see the point if you are streaming from it, unless your plan is to replace the mac with the box?

An increasing number of people use the VB as a USB attached device - usually using MPD which works well in most cases particularly if the VB has a SOtM USB card.

Tog

and what is the rest of the setup the USB DAC going to feed into?

I temporarily do not have access to my Uniti, so I'm using MBPro via USB DAC (Meridian Explorer) into old NAC32-5/NAP140. I use the "advanced user" setup options for  audio output via the Midi setup Utility thereby accurately accounting for sample rate. Though theoretically it should measure up, I am disappointed with the sonic result, it comes nowhere near the similarly powered Uniti 2. It aiin't got that foot tapping thaingg.

skipper.

The OP says they have no LAN, so whats the point of the vortex box, it won't even be able to scrape data.

Gary - you can use a VB device in two ways.

As a networked music server or as a usb attached music server using mpd.

Both work well.

Tog

i am probably being a spoon but is the op saying that want to hook the vb to a mac? Thats just a solution seeking a problem.

I thin vb is great but see no value connecting it to another computer.