My New Old Audio Kontrol 1 DAC

As you know I'm aiming to revive my station on a dedicated PC with Windows XP installed. Reason being is that it's the most energy efficient and least buggy of all when using Zara. It never seems to falter and never seems to need reboots. Since it's s not going to be connect to the internet don't have to worry about security (I do want to include automated weather reports, but rather than use an online source I bought a PWS (personal weather station) and a device to inport the data directly to Zara in the required html format.

But here's the thing, I really wanted to give Salamandra a try but it requires 64bit, XP is 32bit, however there was an XP Pro 64bit.. they are not that hard to find today but the prices are usually over $100 and I'm not going to pay that.. However, Windows Server 2003 was 64bit too which was essentially the same thing as the XP 64bit with some added features to streamline online applications, and they can often be found for under $20... So I almost bought one last night - but didn't, for one thing it appears it doesn't include the media server which XP had, and I'm pretty sure that's what Zara used... So anyway I guess I'll just stick with Zara and XP 32bit, I know it works perfectly. So that leaves the Salamandra option off the table.

Anyway, I needed/wanted an external soundcard because I don't trust the one inside my 10 year old laptop. Took a chance and bought an "new old stock" Audio Kontrol 1 DAC - $20 (+ $8 shipping) which is about half the price they normally go for on eBay..

It's better than any DAC I've used before (in the past I use an MAudio DAC, which I was satisfied with) I've talked about them before because I was very intrigued with Audio Kontrol 1's mapping capabilities (very similar method as used in the DWJukebox software which I recently posted about in an unrelated thread). This DAC has the rare capability of mapping the physical buttons and knob for multiple different task without having to even look at the computer screen - whatever you can do with your keyboard or mouse you can map it to the buttons on the DAC.. I'm really not sure if the feature will be much use to me, I may never use it but if I wanted to skip a song, or prompt up a weather report, or make an announcement, or whatever, I could do it it with a click on the DAC itself..

Anyway, he had it listed under "New" category as "A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging..", which I thought curious, but in the actual description he just says "Never Used. comes with box and manual". "Buy it now $39" and $11.89 shipping - but the starting bid was only $20, so I put it in my watch list curious what it would bring. In the last hours no one had bid, so I bid $20 and got it, it does appear brand spanking new, though the box is wore ..

You know.. if I was getting to a point, I forgot what it was... I'm drawing a blank, so I guess I'll just conclude this post.

Hmmmm... What was I getting to?