2. digital
  3. 191559-170489

Music server recommendations needed.

I have a large CD collection (4000 - 5000+) and so far I have only been managing my digital music files on my MacBook Pro through Apple Music only. (Partially digitized from my CD collection, partially commercially bought digital music files.) The music is largely an exhaustive jazz collection totaling some 6000 albums, by my estimate.

 

I need to digitize and collect all of my music on a music server. Ideally I would like to do this in just 2 components - a CD player and a Music Server, or a Music Server that comes equipped with a good CD player. The ability to effortlessly digitize the CDs, and then properly catalog, search and listen to my digitized music is the end goal. The CD player must be able to play SACD media. Would be nice if I can keep the DAC out of the music server. I'd like to keep the cost reasonable, but at some level I don't know what is reasonable either. Whatever I pick, I want it to stay for the long haul. What would you knowledgeable folks suggest as a solution?

I currently own a Jay's Audio CD player connected to a Benchmark Audio DAC3 HGC and Galion Audio TS120 SE integrated tube amp and Triangle Antal speakers.

 

Thanks,

Amit

 

amitb
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,605 posts
 

@amitb 

What’s your budget?  You can go from really cheap to holy cow, I can buy a car for that.

panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
515 posts
 

I'm curious about something called the Brennan B3. From their website:

"Martin Brennan is a Cambridge University physicist. He  has designed more than twenty silicon chips and written over a million lines of code.

Martin designed and built his first audio amplifier as a teenager. 

He designed the JB7 in 2007 as a better way to enjoy his CD collection.

B2 superceded JB7 - adding internet and Bluetooth. B3 is the latest and fastest generation of player."

So he certainly has the bona fides. Anyone actually have hands on experience with one of these?

vinylshadow
480 posts
 

24/96 sounds worse than 16/44 if the original music was recorded in 16/44, which is nearly always.

Upsampling music almost never sounds better than Redbook. 

kingbr
286 posts
 

Keep your current streamer and get yourself a Brennan B3. I have the Brennan B2 and have all of my 300+ cd's ripped to it. I too am new to streaming (held out as long as I could) and LOVE it! I have the Eversolo DMP-A6 Master and LOVE it! I have a Denafrips Pontus 12th DAC and have my Eversolo and Brennan connected via USB and Lifatec Toslink (HIGHLY recommend the Lifatec cable) respectively to the Pontus and love the flexibility to switch between the 2. It's perfect! I have the best of both worlds...

jonwolfpell
383 posts
 

Amit: as a few others have said, you just described what the Innuos Zenith Mark III does really well. It’s easy to use, sounds great & its app on your phone or tablet is easy to use & works well. I got it for all the same needs you have. Only sad part is my beautiful old but still very good turntable sees very little action now. 

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