Best music server for the money

Septmous, in the sub $3k there is nothing even close to the Baetis Revelation II. The design of taking the sound right off the motherboard; the flexibility of 8 USB connectors; six of which are 3.0; a BNC out right from the mother board; wifi capable if you want it. Nothing comes close to design, quality and flexibility. If attending the Newport Show, please visit room 608 at the Hilton; the Baetis will be used as his digital server and Jonny Wilson can answer most questions about it. Steve N is a dealer for the Antipode, but it is rudimentary and obsolete in its design, but he pushes it anyway because he's a dealer. I have 11T of music attached to my Baetis now with room for one more 4T HD external drive. This player also plays back Blue Ray discs beautifully. Don't buy any of the other recommendations until you do your home work and research and listen to a Baetis. An updated Reference version is in the works and will be released sometime this fall.

Maniac, Are you sure Steve is a dealer for Antipodes. Antipodes lists Perotta Consulting as an authorized dealer, which is where I heard the Antipodes server.

I'm curious about both of these servers. Have you heard them both?

Hifimaniac,

Have you AB tested your Baetis to other servers? I am asking because there seem to be very few people who heard more than one server let alone AB tested it, and every such experience and sharing of info is priceless in this underdeveloped and under reviewed area.

Best value for what is needed is any decent PC with adequate USB disk storage for main and backup copies accessed via a network connection.

The server only serves data the same as any client/server computer application. No music is made on or by the server.

The client player device/streamer and its associated DAC and connection is where the music is made and difference in sound quality will occur, so this the place to focus on for good sound quality, assuming the rest of the audio component chain downstream is up to par already.

Mapman- You are correct, IF the user is well versed in setting up/running/maintaining a home network, getting the right software and integrating it correctly. That's a big IF for many of us. Add a wireless router into the mix and the IF gets even bigger.

If you're not real computer savvy, then a dedicated server may not be a bad idea. In that case, customer support is very important. Neal Van Berg, who builds and sells Music Vaults, is very good in that regard. The MVII is a pretty good unit, w built in auto back-up and wireless which some of the competition does not have.