Hey Mate,

Just done exactly that - raid 5 server for the media server then a separate htpc to deliver the sound into the 861. Sound card is RME digipad ~250 quid but it seems like any old card will do - the 861 will sort it out.

Use Media Center for music library and the dvdlobby / musiclobby suite for a very nice front end. I ripped all my albums in lossless APE format (roughly half WAV size). Supports better tagging too.


Chris

2 Meridian 7200SE Speakers, 17 Meridian DSP750 Speakers, 8 Meridian DSP730 Speakers, 8 Meridian DSW-600 Subwoofers, 3 Meridian DSP640.2 Speakers, 24 Meridian DSP320 Speakers, 3 Meridian 271 Digital Cinema Controller, 7 Meridian 218, 1 Meridian 818 v3, 1 Trinnov Altitude 32 Processor, 1 Trinnov Altitude 16 Processor, Barco Freya+