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Digital media server/players for a Skeptic?

I have all my music on a windows pc running itunes.  I mainly use airplay to listen on my apple TV connected to my receiver.  I then often use an ipad to change tunes and such.  My receiver also has airplay and sometimes I use that but can't really tell any difference between it and itunes. 

I do hate itunes though.  Slow, crashes a lot, hard to really manage a lot of files (~35,000 songs).  My music is mostly coded using whatever the highest rates of MP3 are. VBR 320 or something.  And I've given up on the various tools that try to fill in missing tags.

My current system is Ascend Sierra 2 mains, orb sides, Marantz 5009 receiver, Rega TT, nad preamp, nad cd player.  I will probably upgrade the marantz next year.  Don't even ask me about my interconnects.  I am not a belieber in the audio hoodoo. I use good cheap wire and cables.

So how much sound quality difference and usability/convenience do some of these music servers, decoders, whatever the heck they are really offer over using apple TV? 

Thx!



wolfernyc
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
Whether it's Pi, microRendu(my fav, but $650 + power supply cost) or other server, in most cases you will want to rip the music files to a NAS and send the digital output of the server/streamer to a separate dac. Yes, you can get a cheap built-in sac on Pi or many other low cost servers but as many have suggested, a separate dac is going to give you much better sonics and ability to upgrade/change later without having to  change the server.
Some servers have internal hard disc that can store a fair amount, but many have argued(including me) that putting the files on a NAS in another room and connecting ideally via ethernet is generally the way to go. Top $ Aurenders being an exception. Cheers,
Spencer 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,179 posts
 
Agree that the DAC used will largely determine how things sound.
foghorn1
13 posts
 
I've very interested in this discussion regarding digital servers,  but no one has mentioned Cocktail Audio; specifically their X40 music server.  I would be interested to know if anyone has this unit or knows anything about the company or their products?


cocktailaudio.com

wolfernyc OP
41 posts
 
Thx all! - I think I need to start with NAS and move all of my stuff off my PCs and Mac.  A good one that has backup options.  

Then I can start to rip more of my collection to lossless and see how I like it.   

Media monkey looks like a nice improvement over iTunes.  Does it support synching with iPods? 
erik_squires
16,046 posts
 
MM does a very nice job with iPods. :)

It also lets' you select what music to synch and which not to.  I try to avoid synching classical to my car iPod for instance. :)

Best,

Erik
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