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Best standalone music server?

So I am considering dipping my toes into the full digital world and was wondering what people here may consider as the best standalone music server, and here I am going to be specific.
I do not want to consider a home pc or mac based type of system at all!
Looking at adding one of the standalone models like for example the Wyred4sound ms1 or cocktail audio.
High on my list is ability to rip my cds directly at the unit itself, access to internet radio and other music apps (Pandora etc). High quality built in dac would be nice but if not then high quality digital out to run to an external dac. I will not be needing to access music files stored on another pc as my home pc is pretty old but fully functional for my simple needs. The only music looking to access from it right now are ripped cds and internet available music in whatever form.
So if it worked out well, yes it may be a replacement even for a cd player completely

Thank you
uberwaltz
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Foolish maybe but it is what I am looking for right now.
There are a number of higher end units that rip right to themselves and I would be surprised if ALL of them made a bad job of it?
But maybe I will have to revise my position on this, that is the point of asking opinions.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
Not foolish at all and what I wanted. Call Neal at Sound Science and you will be happy. I wanted to do the same as you, but I am not a computer guy. I hate computers, working with them that is. Did not want a stressful situation with my music playing. Neal set me up perfectly with a Music Vault dedicated music computer, Roon, Tidal, cd ripping and storage and back-up....

Load the cd to be ripped and the computer takes it from there using SOTA ripping software and automatically backs it up and puts it in Roon. In Roon I see all of my ripped cds and all that Tidal has to offer! All in one spot! 

I use my ipad and/or phone as a remote to search and play my music. What a joy and Neal made it so easy.  Not one problem in over a year now, 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
@grannyring
EXACTLY!
Sounds just the sort of deal I am trying to work out, likewise I know just enough about computers to be dangerous...to myself that is! I have wasted enough hours previously just to get a darn Squeezeboz to co-operate on my home network, think I was secretely glad when it just died!
I was also very keen on the idea of a system I could access through my phone as well.
I will be looking deeply into this, thank you!
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,592 posts
 
Best digital sound I have experienced to date and all at a tap or two on my iPad. I am a happy camper. Neal builds his computers to maximize sound quality, speed, and ease of use. I own the Music Vault II ...
ncarv
983 posts
 
Sorry about your experience with the Squeezebox, uberwaltz. Mine is still working fine using JRiver on my Surface Pro with external hard drive, but it can be a real PITA to set up and sometimes requires, um, attention. Haha!

Directly to your question, I have heard the Naim and it sounds excellent and is easy to use, a one box solution.

I haven't heard the Sony HAP-Z1ES, but it has gotten good reviews. Worth investigating.

My Wyred4Sound DAC-2 is quite good, so I'm guessing their server might be, too.

"Best" is probably too broad a request. Some cost parameters would help. The Blue Sound seems like it could be a cost effective solution.

Of these, I would bet the Naim would be "best."

Good luck!


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