For some there's nothing better than the warm glow of indicator lights coming from a huge stack of home theater equipment. Others, though, prefer consolidation, and that's what Okoro Media Systems's upcoming OMS-AX100 will offer: an HTPC with an integrated 5.1 channel amplifier from D2Audio (a 7.1 version is also avail). With 100 watts per channel you can plug your non-powered speakers right into the unit and, through HDMI and component inputs, connect other sources, too. However, with only one of each, you're going to have to choose favorites among gaming systems. Orders can be placed now to ship in June, and a base Windows Vista-equipped machine with 500GB of storage, 4GB of memory, and an AMD
Athlon 64 X2 5050e 2.6GHz processor will set you back $1,650. A Blu-ray drive bumps the price another $190, which seems like a worthy upgrade -- if only because you might have a hard time finding an empty input for an external one.
[Via
eCoustics]
posted May 20th 2009 7:58AM
it's just the Moneual Labs Moncase 312 case with a mATX mobo inside.
Seriously, thank you for this. I looked at this and thought, "well, this looks great, but I have all the parts of an HTPC ready to drop in the box, so I really wish I could just get the case and speakers." I will be researching this thoroughly.
Just a clarification, as I tried searching for it and only got one result (this comment). It's actually the "Moneual Labs MonCaso 312". I found some good threads on it at AVS Forums.
Thanks for posting that info! I too will be looking into this.
One thing I don't get is why the AVR manufacturers (Denon, Yamaha, etc) don't get that modern tech consumers want good AV gear, but don't need a ton of legacy connectors and inputs, or a huge 40-pound receiver?
I just recently bought a new AV receiver, and wanted only a few requirements:
3-4 HDMI ports
ability to process HD audio from HDMI instead of just pass thru (no need for separate audio cable)
ability to transcode non-HDMI video to HDMI (only one HDMI cable going to TV).
But to get those things, you have to buy an AVR that is at least mid-range, which includes a metric shit ton of analog audio inputs, s-video, phono, many multiple outputs, etc etc. I don't want or need some huge audiophile HT freak style receiver, I just want a compact light AVR that does the few requirements I listed. They're stuck in this old model of having a bunch of "tiers" of receivers, with low tier having 1-2 HDMI, and adding an HDMI and a few other features to each model up.
First manufacturer to build that, can name their price and I will open my wallet.
So this looks like a really nice box, and if I can build it myself, awesome!
I guess it all depends on the quality of the amp, but if it's good, $1840 might be a pretty good deal for an amp, HTPC and Blu-Ray player. Can any AV geeks out there comment on the implications of having computer parts in the same case with audio parts? Any noise or interference issues to worry about?
Although the single HDMI port is a real shame and may be a deal-breaker for many people. At almost $2000, there's just no excuse for that.
Actually, is this an error in the article? The product page mentions nothing about only one HDMI input. In fact, it doesn't mention anything about inputs at all, only outputs.
Hmm that seems a little steep for parts and the whole bundle but i'd probably be worried about the amp making more heat to throw in with the components in the case. Not a bad design though looks slick.
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Well, an amp can cost anywhere from $100 to $10000, a BR player is around $300 and an HTPC is anywhere from $300-$1000. So, this can actually be a good deal. It all depends on the quality of the components.
They use a digital amplifier with around 93% efficiency.
In other words, it will certainly add heat, but nowhere near what a traditional amp would produce.
The read link doesn't seem to work. Also, once you get to their site they are pushing Media Center 2005, a now obsolete version of Windows. It doesn't really fill me with confidence.
This looks like it would be awesome if used with MP3's or streamed radio.
Sounds like this is based on a MSI Diva / 7411 / AMD MAUI mobo. You could DIY this for maybe 60% of the asking cost (I've been pricing a home-build based on this mobo w/ similar specs for myself). The reviews on the audio via the integrated amp are favorable, but suggest that you will get maybe 30W per channel, which is still plenty loud for a HTPC.
Those are spitting copies (if not the actual brand) of B&W speakers 600series. Which have and LOVE.
I just built a htpc with that case and a specs that blow it away for $650.
With so many parts in one box, I'd be worried that a failure of one part would require the whole box to go in for repair, leaving you SOL while it's repaired.
Now, if you had the cash for a pair of them (one live/one backup, with the data on your network), that would be much more compelling.
This is a slick case. I have been waiting for a system that this. My friend has an Okoro and showed me all the components of his system. They use quality parts and he has not had an issue. They have a great build quality reputation. They have some great reviews. I can wait to get one of these in my home. Plus, you can get an SageTV option with SageTV HD extenders. That is sweet!
100W peak per channel, really. As a rule of thumb, noone should ever buy amps advertised with their peak wattage.
I suppose they use the AAIC100x5 from Intersil and I'm pretty sure they were overly enthusiastic with this spec. Actually Intersil's spec is just "100W Peak (Power Outputs)" which sounds more like it's 100W combined. Which would be on the very low end for a 5.1 speaker set.
But even if it is 100W peak per channel and RMS would be around 40W. Thats 6*40 = 240W for your ATX power supply. (It's a pci-e card with 1 molex connector)
Personally I wouldn't want to drive quality speakers with my ATX PSU, let alone those beautiful ~15 year old Bowers&Wilkins they used on their pic, which still go around 500$ a pair on ebay. I'm not saying it wont sound good, if they did their job right with the class-d amp. But if you got this nice, passive 5.1 set at home, you maybe want a little bit more bang and you endup with buying a real amp anyways.
But then I might be wrong, and they don't use this amp
http://www.intersil.com/audio/DAE3pc/Media%20PC%20Product%20Sheet.pdf
http://www.intersil.com/audio/DAE3pc/Reference%20Design%20Platform%20(AAIC)%20Reference%20Guide.pdf
5-Channel x 100W (AAIC100-5) Card
• 100W Peak, Channel Drive, 8Ω
• THD+N: 105 dB
• Frequency Response: ±0.5 dB (20Hz to 20kHz)
• 93% Efficient Power Amplifier
Slight miscalculation, the amp is only 5 channel according to Okoro (and Intersil), so it's 5*40 = 200W
And you need an active subwoofer.