Music Server Recommendation


Hello AG community,
I have embarked down the path of getting my music off my computer (iMAC>USB Drive>Ethernet) and on to a dedicated music server.  Primarily I am looking for significantly improved sound quality and instant on. It will feed my DAC (most likely via USB). Need 4TB in onboard storage (no attached drives/NAS). I would really prefer to stay with Roon (have a lifetime sub) but will consider others with equal or superior functionality/sound/remote app.
Budget is $4-5k

My current primary equipment:
PS Audio DirectStream Jr/Oppo BDP-105
Ayre K-5xe Pre
Conrad Johnson MF2500a Amp
Vandersteen Quatro Woods
AQ Niagra 1000
AQ cables

I have been considering the below:

In the lead:
Antipodes EX (+ 4TB SSD)/Roon $5100
Innuous Zenith MKII Std/Roon $?? (can't figure out the US cost yet)

I really like the Antipodes especially the modular approach (ability to add a CX down the road), reviews and their reputation. Innuous seems like it may rival the Antipodes in sound quality. Both are not the easiest to buy or figure out sellers/distributors/pricing.

Trailing:
Aurender N100H $3000
Melco N1 MKII $??

Aurender is readily avail. Conductor app is generally well regarded. Would prefer the N10 but it is out of my range. I have heard some negatives regarding this unit being a bit shrill (definitely not anything I would be happy with). The Melco is very interesting and meets the sound quality std but is probably the fussiest from a setup perspective. Their software/remote app is probably the weakest of this group. Also confused about the 2 x XTB setup (is this a raid array or combined storage)?

What other products should I seriously consider in that price range? Is the budget sufficient for my requirements or should I look used or wait and save more?

Thank you in advance and look forward to your feedback

fdemello
You know I'll just make this easy for all of you I won both the innuos and Antipodes ex

The EX is better. The work they put into making the CX and EX is superior than what innuos had done to date. 

Innuos is ok but I had to put all kinds of filters to get it to sound close to antipodes. Currently using the innuos as a server and EX to render. Eventually the CX will make its way here. 

I think even antipodes old products sound better than the innuos. 
Hehhaw, we have to comment on your statement as some of what you posted needs clarification.

First you have only two posts both denigrating the Innuous, you also make ridiculous statements like you won both how is this possible? Also the Innuous Zenith MK II is vastly outperformed by the newer MK 3 units.

Also there are no "filters" in the Innous that affect sound quality, they are Ethernet noise filters that eliminate the incoming line noise and then present a cleaned and optimized signal to the Dac.

In what way is Antipodes work and technology better?

Over the last five years Innuous has continued to grow with products which use all bespoke parts, the Statement uses a custom designed USB reclocker, as well as an Ethernet reclocker, all units use custom motherboards, custom cases, sophisticated power supplies, vibration reduction, incoming Ethernet noise filters, and outgoing Ethernet filters.
Add to that a great custom built setup software that makes the entire out of the box to a fully running product a five min chore.
Innuous is even working on their own Roon like operating software.

For all of these reasons we see Innuous continuing to grow.

In looking at verifying that claim Antipodes own website is very mum on what they actually put in their boxes, there is no mention of custom motherboards, power supply design, how the USB and Ethernet outputs are derived, clocking is accomplished,or how noise is eliminated.
Even the pictures of the current Ex in Positive Feedback doesn’t show much other than a copper heat pipe on the processor. and an Rcore transformer with a few smoothing filtering caps.

VS

Innuous Zenith which you can see an incoming ethernet filter, a large sophisticated mutli rail power supply with Mundorf caps and a huge amount of voltage regulators
https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/antipodes-cx/https:
compare this to the entry level Zen model
https://hifi-ifas.de/test-innuos-zen-mk-iii-high-end-musikserver-highlight-sylvesterknaller
The higher end Zenith ups the anti with a three rail power supply, adds Mundorf capacitors, an SSD drive.

Then to the Statement
http://www.the-ear.net/how-to/power-supply-design-innuos-statement

Dave and TroyAudio Doctor NJ Innuous dealers
@audiotroy You want Antipodes pics....go here...
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/antipodes/
In the end, what really matters is how they sound and how well the interface works for the end user.
While @hehaw77 is entitled to his/her opinion just like everyone else on this forum, that opinion is suspect based on my experience. As a former Auralic G1 and Roon Nucleus Plus owner, the Innuos Zenith MkIII is a superior server/renderer/player by a wide margin. I do miss the multiple digital outs that were present on the G1, the Innuos team obviously spent their time maximizing the USB and maximize it they did. Its exceptional and so easy to integrate. Buy it or don’t buy it, no skin off my nose but I just can’t imagine a simpler better sounding solution for anywhere near the money. Several boxes went away, replaced by one clean, dead quiet and richly rendered signal to my dac. @audiotroy is right.
@mitch2 


Thanks for posting the link.

I haven't used one but is anyone else curious why 6moons/Srajan uses an all in one 27' iMac as his server/source? I can't imagine that having the monitor, cpu, a hard drive, ethernet, etc etc built in makes for a very quiet environment electrically. Even having a monitor near a playback chain could prove problematic. If that is his day to day listening chain...Anyway...I'm sure the Antipodes are fine pieces of gear.