Listening:

Ok, so how does it sound? In a word, terrific. Played back files sound full bodied, dimensional, and utterly not digital. I would challenge any mortal to hear a difference between the ripped FLAC files, and the same tracks played back on a quality CD player. One of the cd’s I ripped was Frank Sinatra's "Nice n Easy" (cd, Capital Records, 2002). Frank's voice was as smooth and clear as I had ever heard it, and the Nelson Riddle arrangements really sparkle. The MSR-1 brings to life the excellent 24 bit remastering. Next up was the 1963 Joan Baez album "In Concert" (cd, Vanguard Records, 2002), and her amazing vocal range is dazzling through the Nuforce.  Not a hint of digititis on this classic old analog recording. I’ve used a couple of examples that highlight vocals and non amplified instruments to see if I could trip up the MSR-1. No such thing happened. Instrumental textures were totally believable, vocal timbres were lovely, with superb resolution that was true to the original performance.

I further tried to challenge the MSR-1 with hipster alternative (Tindersticks), neo classic singer songwriter (Paolo Nutini), grandiose pop (Sarah Brightman, Celine Dion), and a load of other genres. Not a chance of a slip up. This is one excellent sounding machine; and that's coming from a die hard compact disc spinning music lover.  It must be noted that the MSR-1 offers an incredible amount of love for classical music fans, with a built in database to help organize and often hard to define collections. This is a very nice touch indeed.  

Getting back to the organizational capabilities, I had to keep reminding myself of the myriad of options available to categorize the music by genre, artist, themes, tempo, style, or any custom tag. Plus, one can search the entire collection by any of the categories above, or a number of other parameters. I would have loved to have had a touch screen monitor on hand to let my fingers scroll through my ripped cd collection. Talk about interactive.

Specifications:

NuForce MSR-1 Music Server Sonata Edition:
MSRP: $2250
•    Audio output – Zone 1 Audio RCA, Zone 2 Audio RCA
•    S/PDIF output – 44.1 – 96kHz Coaxial 75-ohm output RCA
•    Video output – 15-pin DB Sub-15 (VGA) output
•    500GB 2.5” quiet, low power consumption hard disk
•    USB – 4 ports
•    Network – RJ-45 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
•    Standard ports – PS/2 style Mouse, Keyboard, RS-232
•    Power: External 90-240VAC, 12Vdc input
•    Power consumption: 45W
•    Operating Temperature - 0 to 55 degree C (Ambient)
•    Nominal temperature:  36 to 40 degree C
•    Chassis is made of high-grade anodized brushed aluminum to reduce audio resonance
•    Noise level:  < 25dBA
•    Dimensions: 2.35”H x 8.5”W x 15”D Weight: 7 lbs.
Accessories:
•    RF Remote Control with track ball.

NuForce
www.nuforce.com
356 South Abbott Ave
Milpitas, CA 95035
Office: +1-408-627-7859, 1-408-262-6777

Reviewers Associated Equipment System 1:
Cd Player: Naim CD5x with Flatcap 2X
Preamp: Audio Research SP16
Amplifier: Audio Research VS55
Speaker: Harbeth Compact 7ES
Cables: Kimber/QED/Acoustic Zen (AC)/Transparent (AC)

Reviewers Associated Equipment: 2
Cd Player: Marantz 5003
Music Server: Squeezebox 3
DAC:CIA VDA-2 with XPS
Preamp: Belles Soloist 3
Amplifier: Revox A722
Speaker: Spendor S5e
Cables: Kimber/QED/Transparant/Shunyata(AC)/PS Audio(AC)

Comments

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Dave B   |2009-09-11 05:56:20 This product has lots of advantages given it's dedicated music-server design. But folks should know that if they rip lossless audio tracks to their iPod, that Wadia's iPod-Doc (for less than $350) extracts the digital output directly from the iPod hard drive to output to an external d/a converter of their choice... basically turning your iPod into a high-end audiophile-quality music server... assuming that you've ripped your music losslessly. 2   4

Butch   |2009-09-11 07:36:08 How come I can build one of these for under $1K? $3500 for a computer that only performs 1 function is ridiculous! I understand the need to make a profit, but does it really need to be 300% ? Personally, I don't want my audio system connected to the internet, yet, every one of these music servers requires it. As long as I have to maintain a 40 to 60 dollar a month internet connection in order for the supposed convenience, I won't be buying into to these things. I'd rather spend half that to expand my music collection. 2   4

Swampfox   |2009-09-22 17:48:36 The review is mere introduction and does not touch on the biggest point. Products like this are all about the digital output. I'm sure the analog outputs sounded nice but really, if someone is going to spend $3500 they are going to hook up a DAC. I'm surprised the reviewer didn't bring up anything on the subject; and when you consider the cost of a separate DAC, touch screen, and more hard-drive storage, the cost for admission gets pretty high. 2   0

Hobbs  - Better options available   |2009-09-23 12:22:57 1. Airport express ($99) (has optical output) to wirelessly stream music to any music system in the home. Also has an Ethernet port. Control is via a home computer running iTunes. 2. Apple TV ($229). Can wirelessly sync to computer or store digital media locally on its HD. Has HDMI, digital output, ethernet port, etc. Can do movies, internet (e.g. Youtube), photos and music. Has a simple remote, but can also be controlled using iPod Touch or iPhone. The NuForce product seems to be overpriced for its function. 1   0

Andre Marc  - Swampfox...   |2009-09-24 18:26:07 ..I did not experiment with external DACs as the interntal chips and DACs in the NuForce are excellent and unless you spend quite a bit, you will be making a lateral move. The only external DAC I had on hand was the CIA VDA-2. A great DAC, but I dont think there would be any improvment, plus an addition of an extra component and more cables. 1   1

Gary  - this article needs to be proofread   |2009-09-26 11:52:46 This article has at least 4 typographical errors. Please proofread before publishing! It looks sloppy. 1   2

Jason Lim  - MSR-1 price correction   |2009-11-29 05:23:49 MSR-1 list price should be $2250. 0   0

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