Request the Beast
ReQuest Audio has designed a high-end audio server that can be used without a computer or internet access and comes with its own ripping station and ripping software. Known as ‘The Beast’, it’s available with an internal SSD with a capacity of 0.96TB or 1.92TB, but more storage can be added in the form of an external NAS drive. ReQuest uses its own software, which enables users to specify where particular media files should be stored: in SSD or NAS. ‘ This means high-end recordings can be stored on the internal SSD and lower-quality files on external storage,’ said Boris Granovsky, of Absolute Hi End, which distributes ReQuest in Australia. ‘ In addition to ripping from CD, The Beast can also rip and store both DVD and Blu-ray formats and, by adding a ReQuest Film Player, it can be used for video playback and storage.’ Operation and control of features and settings is accomplished via a 178mm HD Touchscreen located on the front panel. All operating system software in The Beast is Linux-based and written by ReQuest’s own engineers, though metadata comes from Gracenote. The Beast can be fully integrated into a custom installation system via its serial port or over IP and two-way interfaces are available for all popular control systems (Crestron, AMX, Control4, etc). A user-friendly web browser Interface allows easy editing of metadata and can also be used to configure The Beast.
A built-in interface also allows users to control it from any mobile device or computer, or log in from anywhere in the world to add or upload music or edit server data. Owners can also activate ReQuest’s ‘Arq Link’ service, which allows the company to remotely monitor each The Beast for correct operation, and upload software updates automatically. The Beast encodes media into your choice of lossless format (WAV or FLAC) but can simultaneously encode the same media in MP3 format for syncing and streaming purposes. (The server will always play the lossless file.) Manufactured in Switzerland, The Beast uses USB interfaces and DACs developed in a joint venture with MSB Technology and has both balanced and unbalanced analog outputs as well as digital outputs. ‘ We’re very excited to be distributing The Beast for ReQuest,’ Granovsky told Australian Hi-Fi Magazine. ‘ It’s a high end luxury music server that’s absolutely packed with features and is available with optional add-ons such as MSB’s Diamond Volume and Femto 140 or Femto Galaxy clocks, yet pricing starts at just $40,000.’ For further information, please contact Absolute HiEnd on (04) 8877 7999 or visit the website at www.absolutehiend.com