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Best standalone music server?

So I am considering dipping my toes into the full digital world and was wondering what people here may consider as the best standalone music server, and here I am going to be specific.
I do not want to consider a home pc or mac based type of system at all!
Looking at adding one of the standalone models like for example the Wyred4sound ms1 or cocktail audio.
High on my list is ability to rip my cds directly at the unit itself, access to internet radio and other music apps (Pandora etc). High quality built in dac would be nice but if not then high quality digital out to run to an external dac. I will not be needing to access music files stored on another pc as my home pc is pretty old but fully functional for my simple needs. The only music looking to access from it right now are ripped cds and internet available music in whatever form.
So if it worked out well, yes it may be a replacement even for a cd player completely

Thank you
128x128uberwaltz

Showing 10 responses by jond

jond's avatar
jond
5,928 posts
 
I ripped my cd's on my laptop using dbpoweramp it was super quick and easy, 800 cds but I did it in spurts over time. All not on a 4TB Synology NAS. I hear what you are saying uberwaltz but trust me and others, do it right and do it once. You may end up ripping all your stuff on some box and having to rip it all again. Its not hard at all and its very intuitive and 500 cds are not really that many to rip. Happy owner of an Auralic Aries Mini here.
jond's avatar
jond
5,928 posts
 
@uberwaltz I would very seriously recommend getting dbpoweramp or similar ripping software that will allow you to rip flac and not wav files. You will be grateful that you did wav files are very large relative to flac and to me at least sound identical.
jond's avatar
jond
5,928 posts
 
@uberwaltz that won't be faster write to your computer first then transfer your files to an external drive if you want to. Writing directly will likely slow things down further.
jond's avatar
jond
5,928 posts
 
@uberwaltz just curious are you ripping your cd's as flac or mp3s?
jond's avatar
jond
5,928 posts
 
Sorry but you guys are wrong about Tidal its the total opposite of a rip off. Think of it this way how much do you spend a month on cds? In my heyday of buying cds I would easily spend $100 a month. Now for $20 I have essentially 250,000 or however many titles are on Tidal, probably more for the price of two $10 cds. I see that as a bargain as do most who've tried it and its cd quality and now some hi-rez stuff as well.
jond's avatar
jond
5,928 posts
 
uberwaltz of course you are entitled,  sorry I was just objecting to the characterization of Tidal as a ripoff. I should point out that this statement:

"Now just as an example, I bought some cd,s say and I decided I did not like them, well I am going to rip them to flac files anyway and then resell them.
And that is a choice I get by buying cd,s, to resell or not, at least I have an option."

Pretty much makes my point for me if you think about it , but I am certainly not here to argue glad you're enjoying your new vault so much! Cheers!
jond's avatar
jond
5,928 posts
 
@soundsrealaudio Jim I hope you include yourself in "this audiogon bunch" :-p
jond's avatar
jond
5,928 posts
 
soundsrealaudio I'm more of a bloody mary guy myself but a bottomless brunch sounds pretty good to me! You buying?
jond's avatar
jond
5,928 posts
 
@uberwaltz ha glad you finally broke down and gave Tidal a spin I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
jond's avatar
jond
5,928 posts
 
@uberwaltz let me say sir you are very graceful in defeat! :-) Seriously glad to hear you're enjoying Tidal it is a really amazing service! Happy listening!
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