If your whole system costs $40,000....

For roughly 12-percent of $40,000, you can put together a music server that will rival CD playback systems costing as much as 50-percent of your $40,000 system ($20,000).
For less than $5,000, you can purchase a new comprehensive high-end music server (player/renderer, controller, server/source, WiFi router and cabling).

If digital music is your primary source for listening to music, your digital source is then a fundamental link in your system chain (not a place to skimp). Therefore, I think 10-percent, in your case, should be a minimum.

Hi Herman

I wasn't picking on you at all. If it came off like that and if I offended you I'm very sorry. I honestly didn't mean it. When I wrote my post above I was just thinking about how some members can be mean to others in the various threads I've read in the past. I really wasn't thinking about what was said in this thread. I had only glanced at some responses. I wasn't taking a swipe at you or anyone else who had posted previously on this thread. Again my apologies.

At this price point it is cheaper to house Symphony Orchestra in the living room - nothing beats real thing.

I think a puccinni is overkill but a K01 is dead on.

Okay... How about $600.00 or so for a used NAD 565BEE as part of the following $40,000 system:

Linn Basik TT $550.00 used
NAD 565BEE CDP $600 store demo
Linn Klout Amp $1440 used
Linn Kairn PreAmp $650 used
Linn Kan IV Speakers $400 used
Audioquest Quartz ICs 1M pair X 2 = $200 used
Pangea 14SE PCs 2M X 3 = $210 NEW
Pangea 9SE PC 2M $180 NEW
Hydra-6 $650 used
BDR Cones for CDP and TT QTY: 6 = $120
Transparent Opus Speaker Cables 8’ Pair $35000 NEW

If you want to splurge, you might want to audition the Sony XA5400ES, which can be found for about $1100.

Hope that helps.