The thing that I learned that was the most significant for me at this time I will pass on to those less technically inclined as I. A music server is inherently much more difficult to get sound quality from than spinning a disc. The server is basically a computer where all the various functions are spewing noise. The Meridian solution is the MS600 or ID40. With these goodies the upstream Sooloos is doing the noisy computing, but only passing the raw packets of data (whatever they call that) downstream. Then in the anechoic MS600/ID40 the actual sound processing is done where the sound data is converted to PCM and whatever other magic Meridian does.
Be careful about mixing apples and oranges.
Using a computer DIRECTLY to SPDIF vs a SqueezeBox/Sonos/Airwave etc. are quite different.
The SqueezeBox/Sonos/Airwave model is EXACTLY what Meridian is doing. Basically the ID40 is a SqueezeBox inside the 861. What many suggested Meridian do many years ago.
I'm sure some computers are better than others and their MS600/C15 *IS* a computer (running Linux or Embedded Windows).
Overall I disagree that CD is easier. CD drives make physical noise and raise the noise floor of your room.
Meridian is playing games with terminology. Meridian has been moving towards the "Computer" model for years starting with ROM drives. It's cheaper, more powerful and better performing when done right.
To me a requirement of an ideal solution has 0 moving parts in the listening room. No fans, No Hard drives, No CD Drives.
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