Auraliti Music Player (and DAC)

[Ashok]

Well, I decided to try one, and have sent in an email for pre-ordering a unit. I like the fact that it is dedicated to playing music only, and is based on MPD.

 

My present solution uses a networked media tank, which does more than play audio. I do use MPD on it too, but there are some issues with playing back 24 bit files. MPD supplies 32 bit data, while the NMT needs it to be at 24 bits exactly. So, the person who ported MPD to the NMT decided to truncate 24 bit audio output to 16 bits, at the actual sampling rate.

 

Such issues should hopefully not exist with Auraliti.

 

By the way, is there any body here who has pre-ordered the Auraliti? Did you receive an email confirming your pre-order? I have not had any response from Auraliti to my email.

 

[1audio]

It seems that 24 bit support in Linux applications has been spotty at best. I worked with the developer of MPD to get 24 bit support working. Through the soundcard and driver we are using we get the full 24 bits at the original sample rates consistently. We use a Berkeley Audio DAC and RR 176.4 recordings to confirm performance (the HDCD telltale light). I have tried several other cards with the system with unsatisfactory results. We are working toward doing the same with USB but the higher speed USB interfaces still aren't available. We will be exploring some kernel optimizations to try to improve the USB response in the system to get better results.

 

You should have a confirmation of your order shortly. Before we actually ship we will get back to anyone with a preorder. The biggest challenge has been securing a supply of the core components. Computer parts have a shelf life matching fish. What is available from distributors today may be gone tomorrow when you place the order, or have a different price, new delivery date. . .

 

-Demian

 

 

 

[ldolse]

It helps if you follow Intel's embedded roadmap to make some of your hardware choices.

http://edc.intel.com/

http://edc.intel.com/Platforms/Roadmap/

 

Intel basically makes a commitment to support those processors and motherboard Chipsets for several years, typically 3-5. The rest of the industry follows intel for that lifecycle, so it's relatively easy to find motherboards and RAM for those specific designs. You just want to make sure you pick a chipset that's at the beginning of its' lifecycle, and then you'll probably need to talk to the motherboard manufacturer to be certain they're planning to keep the board around for that lifecycle.

 

Of course that doesn't help you as much for things like case and power supply, but if those are customized for your application you can usually have the manufacturer make more over the years.

 

Might not help for your current run of 100, but if things go well maybe it will help for the next version.

 

[1audio]

I'm familiar with the roadmap and have meet with Intel. Unfortunately those are more relevant to tier 1,2 and 3 players. We are way down on the food chain. (A Dell exec told me that they don't even answer the phone for orders less that 10,000 these days.) The computer industry runs on very small margins and needs lots of volume to survive. We are dependent on smaller distributors to be able to build anything on this scale. They, however aren't too excited about an order of 100 or even 1000 pieces.

 

-Demian