Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Yes Matt, Ethernet is also packetized data.

Why not try a Laufertecnik Memory Player? It has a LOT of software innovations and the newly released MP MINI is only $3500 with 2TB of defractionalized SSD memory. The big brothers with built in dacs are over $20K.

I will reach out to the Lampi guys and see if they cant get you a demo GA after Axpona. the Pentodes are not swappable, so little chance of OCD for you. LoL

Matt, I agree with you (as you know) about purpose built servers.  I have one that Steve sold to me with the Hynes supply and it's killer.  I've brought it to more than a couple of shops and it has been the best server they've heard, but I am not a tech guy and I'm scared to put it on the net to run it via a pad.  Maybe I will call Steve to see how to do it, but MAN is it a great sounding piece. I'd never have made one myself though I couldn't physically have done what he did and most here couldn't).

Matt, Melco will soon announce a new version of their servers.  I don't know if thats out yet, but they are ethernet and it's what Ayre uses with their DAC's.  I'm still waiting a bit to see which way I go. I also have heard the Neil's Music Vault server that he custom makes.  It rips blu rays bit perfect with built in DBripping software, can hold how many T's you need, has Room built in as well as anything else you may want and the price is fair. His balanced connections seem to be the best on his unit if your DAC has AES/EBU.  I think he told me he could do a top isolated Ethernet connection if I wanted it though.  The boards to do that are NOT cheap though, but it may be worth it.  Since I use the Ayre, it has the balanced connections I I'd probably start off with that, but we will see.  I do like the idea of an all in one, plug and play that does everything, including RAID back up and cloud back up automatically.  Richfield Hunter has one and LOVES it.  

Dgarretson - I know all the necessary trinkets. NAS, miceorendu or SMS-200, linear power supplies. But that’s exactly what I’m saying. Need an LPS for NAS, Microrendu (or SMS-200), switch, etc. I have done a tone of research. But to get sound comparable to an Aurender, Antipodes, Baetis, etc you need to add REALLY good LPS, reclockers, etc and down the rabbit hole we go.

I’m not saying it’s wrong and I’m not saying it’s not possible to get great sound. What I’m saying is that I don’t think that just plugging an i5 NAS with Roon into a typical gigabit Ethernet switch and running it into a Microrendu, with all normal power supplies, is going to compete with a simple, 1 box, Aurender N10. I have a friend with an MR and he will be dropping it off shortly; so I’ll know for certain.

It's fascinating that this has become such an issue. I would guess that in the next few years it will get to a point where all DAC's will HAVE to come with a built in Ethernet Renderer and Music Servers from the big boys will be one box solutions with high quality external linear power supplies and built in reclockers that output Ethernet to the DAC's built in renderer. And possibly even have 2 bridged outputs and a way to allow them to run direct and avoid a switch entirely. And audiophile grade switches with linear power supplies will be common (I am auditioning an audiophile grade Waversa switch as we speak to see how how big a difference it makes). 

Its all so exciting!!

Matt, AQUA will be at AXPONA, or call Mark Sossa the US Distributor and see where you can get an audition. Here is Mark's website, http://wellpleasedav.com/about/  tell him Kemper sent you.

Thanks Matt.  Switching is where most of the noise seems to come from.  The designers of the Melco gear is a great guy and I've been in good contact with him over the years. I don't own his gear...at least not yet, but I like how he thinks.  That's why I'm waiting to hear what Matt thinks of the WAversa.  We have a common friend who own's it and he swears by it.  By audiophile prices, it's not expensive, but I agree with Matt....Soon we should see higher end, all in one servers that will use audio grade everything and will be plug and play.  I will put my server set up against all the big boys and have. It's won when I've brought it to shops even.  But it's not sexy to look at and it's got a huge external LPS (possibly the best made, but it's large and ugly).  

I am still using USB, but really want to be able to take advantage of my Ayre's ethernet connections.  When done properly, I've never heard USB sound as good.  Just haven't.