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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
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uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
A question for those much more knowledgeable than myself.

I stream Tidal through my Vault to my Lyngdorf via digital coax.
Now under info on the Lyngdorf it says max of 96k even if it is supposed to be a 192k MQA file. Is this because digital coax is limited to 96k max?
If so would I get full 192k using the vaults analog outputs instead?
2psyop's avatar
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2psyop
1,601 posts
 
uberwaltz- Is your Lyngdorf a MQA enabled device?
I believe the Bluesound Vault 2 will only send the digital signal for full unfolding to 192 res if the receiving DAC is MQA capable and you have set the Vault 2 to do so. If you send the fully unfolded MQA from the Vault 2 out of it’s analog output you will get the full resolution.

“Bluesound Players are a full MQA playback solution. They will decode and render MQA playback up to 24/192. If however you are connecting an external DAC, the maximum output will be 24/96 and MQA processing is not happening in the DAC.

If you have an external DAC that is certified by MQA, you may bypass Bluesound's MQA rendering process in the Bluesound NODE 2 or VAULT 2 and send the pure untouched music bits directly via TOSLink Optical or Digital COAX output for processing by your external DAC.

  • In the Player Selection Drawer, press the Settings icon next to the selected NODE 2 or VAULT 2
  • From the Audio Settings page, set Tone Controls to Off
  • Set Audio output levels to Fixed
  • MQA External DAC will no longer be grayed out, set this to Yes
  • Close Audio Settings

The Bluesound NODE 2 and VAULT 2 will now bypass MQA processing.”


uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
@2psyop 

Thank you
That is very helpful and likely the reason for just sending at 24/96k right now.

However I do not think the lyngdorf dac is MQA capable right now, need to research that.
rlb61
789 posts
 
I'm interested in digital files as well. I'm ripping to pa PC via dbpoweramp. However, I don't have an ethernet connection where my listening room is located. So, for wi-fi, is there anything good to recommend?
2psyop's avatar
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2psyop
1,601 posts
 
rlb61- There so many ways to go with a digital library of music. As mentioned Aurender, Wyred4sound, Bluesound, Cocktail Audio make streaming devices and allow access to digital storage files. So does Sony, NAD, Cambridge Audio, Auralic and many others. For streaming services there is Tidal, Pandora, Spotify, Apple music, Amazon music and also many others. WiFi access in one’s home can be tricky, you may want to test this first. Some have reported that ethernet has been much more reliable than WiFi n the home. I also added an AC access point that I can plug the ethernet into! Works great! Let us know what you want to do EXACTLY. Make your own thread.
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