Music Servers

I am currently using a MAC Book Pro computer as my music server. Do any of the above listed servers (Music Vault, Baetis, Aurender, Musica Pristina A Cappella II, etc) completely replace my MAC Book Pro Computer? How do I rip CD’s to my external hard drive? Can I stream anything I want from the Internet including Tidal, Pandora, Calm Radio, Radio Paradise, etc? How do I control these music servers? Do I need an iPad, iPhone, etc? Can I connect my LaCie 3TB d2 USB 3.0 Thunderbolt Series Hard Drive to these music servers?

Unfortunately, I have limited Wi-Fi access in my living room since it is far away from my Apple router. My assumption is the above music servers require Wi-Fi access from an iPad, etc. Is this correct?

Based on my research, it seems my MAC Book Pro computer provides the most flexibility and options when it is used as a music server. Some people have said that the above listed music servers provide a higher quality sound then the MAC Book Pro Computer (I do not know).

Any comments?

Don't know the answers to all of your questions, but give Neal at Sound Science a call. I'm sure he'll quickly walk you through them. Here's my (admittedly only somewhat confident) answers:

Will it completely replace your MAC Book Pro- Yes.

How do I rip CDs to my external drive- Just designate it as the location where the files are to be stored, if it can be connected with a USB cable.

Can I connect my 3 TB USB hard drive- Don't see why not. Mine has about 10 USB ports.

Can I stream anything I want from the internet? Sure, if you have internet access.

How do I control it- Easily enough with a mouse. I'm told there is remote software although I do not know how it works.

Neal can also set you up with ethernet over AC wiring adapters so you can overcome the limited wi-fi access problem. My MV is virtually silent unless it's ripping a CD.

Hgeifman,
Swampwalker did a good job of answering your questions. I can also recommend Neal at Music Vault. Being an analog guy, adverse to all things digital, but recognizing the possibility of better sounding digital and the ease of access to ripped CDs and streaming - I took the plunge with Neal. He is top-notch. Service oriented, he guided me through the whole process and the MV sounds fantastic (for digital ;)).
Results:
- Enhanced quality of digital from ripped CDs (and I have a no-slouch Esoteric K03). - - TIDAL really sounds so superior to Pandora which I was using, although I still like the intuitive radio stations of Pandora.
- JRiver + JRemote works for my iPhone and iPad. (by the way I also moved from a MacBook Pro and iTunes to MV and JRiver - not looking back)
- WiFI connectivity is "easily" fixed using TP-Link Nano Powerline Adapter. Check it out....
Hope this helps,
Good luck.