PAQ

[robstroh]

I've been using my new PAQ PC system for a couple of weeks now and I have to say I'm over the moon with it. It's the quietest machine I've ever used by a long way and rock solid reliable. Nice to see the Cubase performance meter barely ticking over too!
Peter is an ultra helpful guy who's been very generous with his time and thought - the personal touch makes all the difference (having dealt with one or two less than helpful music PC companies who shall remain nameless...)
Thanks a million!
Rob.

[marten]

My PaQ-case arrived last week, and it's already doing a great job in my music studio. It's really hard to hear anything from it. If you know what to listen for, you can faintly hear the hard discs when they are working hard. Among other instruments, I recorded a classical guitar with two condensor mics. The mic preamps were turned up quite far, with the computer case in the same room only six feet away from the musician, and you can only hear the music in the recording - no fans, no hard discs, just the music. This quiet case even revealed that my studio monitors are humming a little! Listening to mixes next to the computer is also easier without a constant noise floor.
I've ordered the case and cooler bundle, so the cpu has an extra exhaust duct at the rear. and there is a reassuring stream of warm air out of it. Good to know that this air is not re-circulating inside the case.
The case also looks very cool. You can't really tell from the pictures on the web site, but it looks like a box made of black mirrors. Plus, it is very light (aluminium composite). The front door has a magnetic strip along one side to keep it closed without any mechanical locks, and it shuts like the door of a Mercedes Benz. Really feels solid! Some parts seem a bit improvised, though, as for example the pci muffler which is basicly a big chunk of foam - it does its job nicely, though.
I don't think the case is too pricey, buying a standard off-the-shelf case and fitting some noise reduction kits is just as expensive.
Even though I had to wait quite a while for my case, it was well worth it. The concept seems very well thought out, and the resulting silence is amazing.
Keep up the good work, Peter! Now I'm a happy camper.