Vortexbox Appliance or LIV Zen? Advice please

[dicy]

Hi all

I'm new to these forums, it seems a really friendly place, full of useful information and i'm hoping for some advice.

I've decided to go with vortexbox - i haven't got the time to build my own and would rather have the support tbh.

It looks as if the Vortexbox appliance or the LIV Zen (sold on ebay and Amazon) are the 2 standout choices (unless somebody has another rec?)

Just wondered if anybody has any opinions on either - or better still - which one is best?

i'll be using it with a squeezebox touch via a Rega Dac and my hifi and i'm based in the UK.

Cheers

Rich

[dougmon]

I checked out the LIV Zen (I'm in the US), and this is my thought: it's certainly more stylish than the standard vortexbox appliance, and I'm certain it will probably perform admirably. However, and this is my bias, I'm distrustful of the slot-loading cd drives. When they malfunction (and all cd drives malfunction) they are often more difficult to replace than the simple drawer type of CD drive that comes with the standard Vortexbox appliance.

If you're concerned about looks, here's what I do: the Vortexbox appliance is in another room wired to the network while the Squeezebox is running wireless in my living/listening room. (Coincidentally, the Squeezebox is running into a Rega DAC -- I think they work really well together.)

Just my two cents.

[garym]

I checked out the LIV Zen (I'm in the US), and this is my thought: it's certainly more stylish than the standard vortexbox appliance, and I'm certain it will probably perform admirably. However, and this is my bias, I'm distrustful of the slot-loading cd drives. When they malfunction (and all cd drives malfunction) they are often more difficult to replace than the simple drawer type of CD drive that comes with the standard Vortexbox appliance.

If you're concerned about looks, here's what I do: the Vortexbox appliance is in another room wired to the network while the Squeezebox is running wireless in my living/listening room. (Coincidentally, the Squeezebox is running into a Rega DAC -- I think they work really well together.)

Just my two cents.

+1. I have 3 VBA purchased from smallgreencomputers in the US. Looks are not relevant because they are stuck in a back cabinet, etc. connected to my local network via ethernet. That is, no where near the main listening room. I'm using Squeezeboxes (and NOT the VB Player built into the VBA).

[dicy]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Happy to say that i ordered a Vortexbox Pico from Vortexbox UK. The chap who owns it - Martin - has been absolutely first class.

Currently transferring my music library to the VB - will report back later.

Cheers
Rich