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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
128x128uberwaltz
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Rob, I still whole heartedly recommend the bluesound vault 2.
Needs a hardwired Ethernet connection to stream and connect to home network.
It is child's play to setup and configure
No volume knob.........
willemj
1,036 posts
 
If you alreay have a good DAC with optical input, why not try a Chromecast Audio (and its digital ouput)? There are apps for Spotify, Qobuz, TuneIn and many other services. You can also access your computer’s drive/NAS with BubbleUPnP. It will do files up to 24/96. See here for measurements: http://archimago.blogspot.nl/2016/02/measurements-google-chromecast-audio_27.html
firefightingrob
30 posts
 
Heres a new guy question:  Can my sonos play Hi Res (above CD bit rate) if it goes into an upsampling dac?  Seems that it would be limited by the sonos, but what if it has modifications that allow 24/96, or DSD, or MQA?

Chromecast looks interesting and cost effective- which app does 24/96?

Uberrwaltz- Bluesound may be my solution to streaming.  I will probably wait until Axpona to see what the rooms are using, but I want to have a few products to keep an eye out for.  Blue sound will definitely be one.  I want simplicity, much like you, and of course I want high fidelity as this is for my main rig.
willemj
1,036 posts
 
All these apps can do 24/96. The question is if the streaming service does this. The answer is basically no. Highest quality level right now is 16/44 for Tidal or Qobuz. That is true for the Chromecast Audio, but also for all other streamers.
Streaming from a NAS is a different story, of course.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Rob
One of the reasons I am still happy with the Vault is Tidal
$20 a month for their hifi service gives MQA at up to 192 speed, yes the whole MQA arguement is raging hard elsewhere but I know what I hear in my system and that is better sq that redbook!
I prefer the digital out from the Vault compared to its analog outs which sound a little soft and flabby imho.

For about $1000 the Vault is hard to beat and its simplicity is half of its appeal to me, I am sure there are better solutions out there but for me it was/is near perfect.

Does not hurt that I can listen to any cd form my collection without getting my backside out of my chair either...lol
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