Best standalone music server?

soundsrealaudio
177 posts
03-12-2017 11:01pm
So not to be labor a point. The Melco has been rated Class A, big deal right? So it has 4Terabytes of storage plus as many external as you could want. Plus, and it is a big plus it has integrated software that is easy with a capital E to use. Is it as good as the Aurender, probably. It doesn't rip. Using AccurateRip technology you get the most exact CD importing. It even works with worn or damaged discs that might otherwise be unplayable. To rip grab the Buffalo BRXL-16U3 for CD ripping ion Melco Music Libraries for $159.00. Check it out.
I dumped my computer, couldn't stand the beta versions software BS.

http://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/melco-ha-n1a-part-1/

I love the Melco units.  Can';t wait for their updates ones to come out in a few months.  I am waiting to see what they end up changing before getting one. As I've said from day one, it's the best NAS out there from what I've heard and what I will use even if I don't use the streaming feature etc...  That said, if you read what OP wanted, it doesn't have everything for him.  I forget when it was left out.  It may even have been cost.  It also doesn't do Roon and unless they change their language it still won't.  I will need a work around IF I can get it to work seamlessly.  That will mean using my rebuilt mac mini running Roon on the net and then using the Melco ONLY as a server. I'd use the ethernet connection for everything in they system/network.

My vote for the NAD M50.2.

True all in one with MQA included.

I've just seen this thread for the first time.
I have the Bluesound Vault 2, and in other rooms in the home I have a Node 2 and the Minipulse.
I had tried a PC based system and frankly it was to much hassle.  I have no desire to be dealing with IT issues at home when I want to relax with music, and no one else in my family liked it.  Bluesound isn't entirely hassle free but I have found it to be much more elegant than my former Mac based system, and it covers the whole house as well.
  The DACs contained in the Vault and the Node are decent  but not exceptional.  In my two channel system where the Vault resides I run it into my external DAC, the Mytek Manhatten and it sounds as great as any other source in that DAC.  In the kitchen we listen to a lot of Internet Radio .
 I have recently started using the Vault to pull in the files that I had on my Mac and so far find it much easier than just the pc by itself.
  Different strokes for different folks.  If a PC based system works for you, then fine, but not everyone will find them so accommodating.  If they were Universally easy, then there would be no market for seperate servers.  I do find myself scratching my head here when the OP clearly stated he was not interested in a pc based system and yet others are badgering him or her to go that route

@mahler123
Exactly my thought process right from the start
Nobody in my house wants to be an it expert after a hard days work, just select a few tracks or pick an internet radio station on the bluos app and let it play.
Glad to see my choice was a path others have already taken for much the same reasons
still enjoying my unit and maybe adding a Node for my daughter to use in her room, probably just connected to a soundbar...lol, evil I know!

Yes, all too often we (me too) try to tell folks what sounds better etc...when all they want is a simple all in one solution.  Once they use that solution and it's easy, they enjoy music. Real music.  I too am going through trying to become an IT guy to get the best sound quality and it's taking away from the fun.  I keep waiting on that one component to come out that will be the be all end all. Roon core and a decent hard drive, ethernet that is isolated and have all the noise taken out of the signal chain.  Yes, I want it all, but right now, that's not out there.  Melco is the closest, but no Roon core and it won't have that.  I may wait for the new Melco units to come out, get the Roon NUC from Roon once that comes out and call it a day.

Glad you love your VAult2