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  3. 128205-90127

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
128x128uberwaltz
asahitoro
244 posts
 
Forgive my technical inexperience but I’m in a similar position. I have a modest system with:
-Yamaha 1060 AVR (used as preamp w/HT ability)
-Parasound A23 Halo

I want to add Rune and a have a something that can manage my digital content either Tidal/Spotify or MP3s. My Yamaha AVR can handle streaming services but not Tidal yet AFAIK? I don’t need the ability to rip CDs as I have an external HD full of them and prefer the portability of having external HDs. Can I get a Bluesound Node 3 and connect my HD to it via USB and then connect it via digital coax to my AVR and have all I need to run Rune and manage everything? From what I understand the Node3 is just a Vault2 without the ability to rip and built-in storage? One other thing, for my MP3s to work on our iPhones/iPads I need my files in AIFF form not FLAC correct? As I get more MP3s, I want the best quality I can for our devices.

Thanks for any advice or input.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
You should go to their site again and get to know what each piece can do.  I"ve seen many systems using the Bluenote gear without the Vault as they already have a large NAS drive they use with it.  
asahitoro
244 posts
 
Yeah, I’ve basically confirmed I can pull off what I want to do but wanted to ’think out loud’ a bit about it here to hear others with way more experience and knowledge than me offer any opinions or things I should consider before going this route.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
It's one of, if not the easiest way.  For it's price range, the Bluesound gear is really solid stuff.
asahitoro
244 posts
 
Thanks. Yeah I wish my Yamaha AVR worked with Rune (easily) and I could connect an external HD to the rear rather than the front panel. Would any USB->HDMI or coaxial digital convertors work? The Node 3 sounds like the way to go.
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