SonicBlue Rio Digital Audio Receiver

helloRockview writes: "I've recently purchased a SonicBlue Rio Receiver digital audio receiver, the poor-mans's version of the Turtle Beach Audiotron. It's an interesting piece of hardware and works quite well. I've put together a review of the little silver box and have included some info on its architecture and the communication protocols it uses."

Re:A much better alternative

[JoeShmoe]

Except this devices is hand-made in a garage in lots of a couple hundred each. This isn't meant to disparage the quality, but as such it might not be available when you want it where you live.

In fact the website says "The SliMP3 is not yet ready for sale. If you would like to receive an e-mail when our first units become available, please submit the form below." so I guess right now it isn't available at all.

Plus it's about $70 more expensive even though it contains less hardware (price of hand assembly).

However, both the SliMP3 and SonicBlue suffer from the same fatal flaw...lack of digital output. What is the point in streaming full quality 256Kbps digitally across my house only to lose that quality in the last few feet due to a cheap-as-you-can-mass-produce DAC? I don't care if you use Monster cable, analog just isn't digital and if I'm spending $200+ bucks then shouldn't I get the full solution?

I think both these devices should be updated to include a TOSlink/coaxial output (preferably both). Most people just run speaker wire across their house so these devices both seem to target power users/audiophiles.

I'd also like to point out there is a HUGE market for a similar device that can play video files, not just audio files. No one wants to put a computer in their home theater because it is too bulky and noisy. Wouldn't it be awesome to keep all your movies on a server in the computer room and then stream them to some small little elegant and quiet device just like these audio players?

I'd certainly pay for something like that.

- JoeShmoe