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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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2psyop
1,601 posts
 
I have not had those problems with my setup. But as you stated YMMV and my home wifi network has not dropped out. When I had an analog rig, could never get used to those pops and clicks even with a good vinyl cleaning. With digital, my audio has never been so black silent when there is no signal. I guess when it comes to unwanted noise, we all have to pick our poison.
joncourage
185 posts
 
Just got a Lumin U1 and extremely happy with it.

For years I used a Logitech (Slim Devices) Transporter. Was always pretty happy with that, but it started showing it’s age once Logi abandoned it, and getting things done through the user forums was excruciating.

The U1 to me sounds far better, and seems a far better built device. I guess it should be at around 4x the $.

Far as ripping, use a laptop and EAC with AccurateRip.  I don't want ripping technology anywhere near my playback sound chain.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
The owner of Lumin is a HUGE audiophile. Not all companies are owned or run by someone who's into the hobby.  For you money, The Memory Player and it's less expensive server that I posted about above are the top ones, but Aurender and Lumin are outstanding and great values in their price ranges.  glad you like it.
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ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Not sure why my post was removed today after being on there since April.  It was a very positive post about Lumin and Aurender.  I then mentioned The Memory Player, that a few of us have gotten as being the best we've heard (Matt who has the longest running DAC thread on AG has one and has talked about how great it is).  

Not a commercial for it, just stating that it's such a small company and many haven't heard of it, but if you want the top server, it really should be in that mix.  Please let me know what was wrong with that post as I missed something.  Thanks.
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