The quiet options

[Labarum]

What are the best deals for a quiet PC to be at the centre of a TV/HIFi setup. I am really only interested in Stereo though my Quad HiFi, and Freeview is not an option - I have a Virgin box and I can get Sky, but nothing terrestrial.

A Macmini looks very competitive, but a Windows PC would keep more options open if I am streaming lossless audio and video around the house.

There is a quiet Shuttle these days, and there is this

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-000-FS&groupid=43&catid=1079&subcat=

and this

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-013-OK

I would be looking for the very best audio - maybe with a Beresford DAC, which has a switchable optical input.

So what should I be considering for the PC at the centre?

 

[Hamish]

MacMini is silent (can't even hear mine with my ear next to it), sexy and reasonably priced. However no HDMI out or bluray could be a problem. If you're not overly bothered about expandability or 1080p output have a look at an Apple TV (no fans). If space isn't so much of an issue a normal PC might be better than a shuttle: In my experience shuttles aren't as quiet as they are made out to be and a PC with a few 120mm fans will almost always be quieter.

 

[Fothsn]

The Verso looks a very good sepc for the price I would personally use a windows box you don’t see many Mac minis used as HTPC so there must be something in that.

 

[pinkaardvark]

PS3 running Linux with an upgraded HD? Seems a very attractive low noise option, I keep forgetting mine is on as it's so quiet. However not having tried linux on mine yet i'm not sure of what limitations there are?