Non-Portable Audiophile Rockbox based DAP

[LambdaCalculus]

Wouldn't a "low power HD-based DAP with S/PDIF" be "The iRiver H100 series"?

Yes it would be!

[preglow]

The point being that an Ambisonic file can be 'decoded' to any speaker layout (stereo, 5.1 7.1, or even height based systems)... and that the 'decoding' needs to be done in software.... but most users dont want to have to bother with setting up and using their computers. So a Harddisk with a CPU that can do some DSP is perfect.

The Gigabeat series would probably (depending on how fancy shelf filtering you want) be very capable of decoding Ambisonics realtime. They don't seem to come with any digital out capabilities to speak of, though. If you only want basic decoding, the Coldfire based targets will almost certainly be able to do that as well, but the output side of things will probably remain a problem, since not many players are designed for multi-channel use.

[DefineByte]

H100s are like hens teeth.

Even if I could find one, there's a few features I'd want that I forgot to mention: support for IR/RF remote controls (either), a decent (ish) sized screen (two line VFD would be great, a DVI or VGA port would also be...great ), capable of supporting a 2.5" or greater hard disk internally. I think that's it. x)

No-one seems to make such a beast. Surely there's a market out there?

[Llorean]

I constructed my most recent desktop PC, not including monitor, for $280. Admittedly it's a fileserver, and I spent far more on both RAM and processor speed than necessary for a desktop audio player. $100 could be trimmed there, and repurposed for something other than the motherboard's onboard sound (though I believe it has digital out, honestly in its duty I didn't check).

For stationary digital audio devices, I'm betting there's not *too* much market for "more expensive, yet less useful." Though there are the gumstix for something a bit smaller than a small form factor PC.

[DefineByte]

An ATX/mATX PC would certainly be the cheapest way forward but one of my main concerns is power usage (I forgot to mention fanless in the previous list too). I'd ideally like to shoot for around or below 30 watts if possible (not including the 7" LCD I've been eyeing up.). Via have 1 watt x86 CPUs that I'm waiting on but lower power would be excellent.

I've looked into the Gumstix before but I didn't notice a model with S/PDIF. I guess I could go the USB audio route. They're not really in the ideal form factor anyway (I forgot something else, would be good if it looked nice too).

[GodEater]

I constructed my most recent desktop PC, not including monitor, for $280.

Would you mind sharing (off forum if you like) what you bought? My PC is starting to blow hard when it walks up mild slopes and is in need of replacing....

[saratoga]

I constructed my most recent desktop PC, not including monitor, for $280. Admittedly it's a fileserver, and I spent far more on both RAM and processor speed than necessary for a desktop audio player. $100 could be trimmed there, and repurposed for something other than the motherboard's onboard sound (though I believe it has digital out, honestly in its duty I didn't check).

Hell just mod an Xbox.  XBMC already does all the formats rockbox has, FLAC included, and it has digital out.  Should be less then $100 bucks used these days.  And it takes a 3.5" disk, a CD/DVD or an ethernet cable.