Music Server Recommendation


Hello AG community,
I have embarked down the path of getting my music off my computer (iMAC>USB Drive>Ethernet) and on to a dedicated music server.  Primarily I am looking for significantly improved sound quality and instant on. It will feed my DAC (most likely via USB). Need 4TB in onboard storage (no attached drives/NAS). I would really prefer to stay with Roon (have a lifetime sub) but will consider others with equal or superior functionality/sound/remote app.
Budget is $4-5k

My current primary equipment:
PS Audio DirectStream Jr/Oppo BDP-105
Ayre K-5xe Pre
Conrad Johnson MF2500a Amp
Vandersteen Quatro Woods
AQ Niagra 1000
AQ cables

I have been considering the below:

In the lead:
Antipodes EX (+ 4TB SSD)/Roon $5100
Innuous Zenith MKII Std/Roon $?? (can't figure out the US cost yet)

I really like the Antipodes especially the modular approach (ability to add a CX down the road), reviews and their reputation. Innuous seems like it may rival the Antipodes in sound quality. Both are not the easiest to buy or figure out sellers/distributors/pricing.

Trailing:
Aurender N100H $3000
Melco N1 MKII $??

Aurender is readily avail. Conductor app is generally well regarded. Would prefer the N10 but it is out of my range. I have heard some negatives regarding this unit being a bit shrill (definitely not anything I would be happy with). The Melco is very interesting and meets the sound quality std but is probably the fussiest from a setup perspective. Their software/remote app is probably the weakest of this group. Also confused about the 2 x XTB setup (is this a raid array or combined storage)?

What other products should I seriously consider in that price range? Is the budget sufficient for my requirements or should I look used or wait and save more?

Thank you in advance and look forward to your feedback

fdemello
I've looked at the SGC builds and they appear to be nice computers, but again, they do little/nothing to differentiate themselves from a standard PC or NUC.  I've asked on other forums for something that makes them different and have not been able to get the owner, Andy?, to give any details.  Other than fan-less, which in my case doesn't matter except that it lends itself to one less noisy device on the main board beyond the fan.

I'm looking to go well beyond what a PC can produce.  Well done power supplies, isolation, removal of PWM fan controllers, isolated USB outputs, I2S output.  No fancy case, no extra fluff.  It will live in back room in a AV cabinet never to be seen.
@jb0194 @david_ten SGC was on my original list but as @bbarden45 suggests - there is nothing available that outlines what goes into this unit. Website is more marketing/feature based. There isn't even a peak inside the unit.  How much different is this than my MAC serving up my music currently at a cost of $2-$3k? 

My server will live in my rack in my living room.  Would prefer something that looks good but sound quality is paramount and I could live with a no frills black box if that presents the best sound/value 

Anyone familiar with Baetis? 
Have you considered a Music Vault from Sound Science. Neal has a great reputation and supports his products. He has various models which to choose.

I just order his Diamond IIA model which includes the following from his email:


"Your Vault comes with 16GB of RAM and a very fast processor. It gets the most out of Hi-Res files and DSD. It utlizes an energy efficient i5 quad-core processor with passive heat sink and It comes with16 GB of RAM. Included is a Western Digital 3 TB MyCloud for auto-duplication of your music,, plus a 250 GB SSD for the Operating System and control software.

Plays any sample rate and DSD effortlessly. The only Server that's faster than the Diamond IiA is the M7.

The Diamond IIA has bit-perfect output over SPDIF, AES/EBU and USB.

The Diamond IIA is a digital source designed to offer your DAC perfect bits with the lowest jitter which is what your DAC needs for optimal performance.

The Diamond IIA comes with a Blue-Ray drive. This drive was chosen for its superior ripping qualities and has the benefit of allowing the Music Vault to perform as a DVD Player. With optional software it can play back Blue Ray discs too. CDs in perfect shape can be ripped perfectly in this drive in as little as 2 minutes.

The Diamond IIA operating system is housed on a lightening fast solid State Drive which makes it very responsive to commands and keeps the 3TB hard drives working as accurately and quietly as possible. Separation of control and data opens up the data disks to a full 3TB of music storage.

The MV Diamond IIA comes with Jriver for playback and DB Poweramp for ripping as well as Log me in for my remote support.

Your enclosure has a
Footprint of 17.5"W x 13"D x 6"H
Weight 30 lbs"

PS  I ordered mine without Roon but could add at any time in the future.