Takedown of pricey servers, streamers OCD HiFi guy

Wow.

First I find the logic that SOTA music servers are "just computers" is akin to saying that a state of the art CPU or power transistor, is just a few pennies worth of silicon, copper and plastic; or that a capacitor is just a bit of metal and a dielectric. 

Pulease.
  
At some point we must all pay for some form of human endeavor in the form of technology.
If you don't believe that servers are more than the some of the parts assembled, then buy a desktop, better yet put one of your own together.  So easy a child of 12 could do it.

Not only the aesthetic, but more importantly (to me at least) the sonic differences between many servers from DIY $500 dollar units to cost no object devices is not only real but also SUBSTANTIAL.  This truth is no different here than it is in absolutely EVERY OTHER audio component!!!

If you don't think that custom power supplies, custom I/0 solutions, and custom software solutions make any difference, then don't buy a custom server, and while your at it, sell your entire existing system and buy a 60 dollar solution that has EXACTLY the same functionality from E-bay.

Interesting comments from each of you.  I do not stream still spinning CDs.  My buddy just purchased the Rockna (looking forward to hearing it).  I have also heard an older MSB at his home that was upgraded to the newest software.  It was like a $14K unit new that was bought for $5K used.  I make my own products but they are all tube based products.  The MSB was a very nice sounding unit.  My buddy liked it for the resolution, it is quiet and has a digital volume control so he can probably sell his BeSpoke passive preamp.

What makes us different is that I prefer a more musical sound and he only wants quiet and resolution.  I placed a Counterpoint tube preamp in his system (completely modified) and he hears what I like.  Depth of sound stage, better separation, more dynamics compared to his passive but not as overall quiet.

So everyone has a sound that they like which is what the hobby is all about.

Happy Listening.

Not only the aesthetic, but more importantly (to me at least) the sonic differences between many servers from DIY $500 dollar units to cost no object devices is not only real but also SUBSTANTIAL. This truth is no different here than it is in absolutely EVERY OTHER audio component!!!

Because you use capitals it must be true!  Sorry, but many other components have lots of claims that are not true too. After you eliminate electrical noise, there is really not much you can do unless you are purposely manipulating the bit stream, assuming your DAC is good at jitter reduction if SPDIF connected, and with async USB, not much to improve.

Because you use capitals it must be true! Sorry, but many other components have lots of claims that are not true too. After you eliminate electrical noise, there is really not much you can do unless you are purposely manipulating the bit stream, assuming your DAC is good at jitter reduction if SPDIF connected, and with async USB, not much to improve.

Interesting...  

Nice trolling, but your not goning to catch any real fish with that bait..;-)

Your comments "not much you can do" and  "not much to improve" swims dangerously close to "everything sounds the same."

Don't get me wrong, I am an extremely technical guy.  
FWIW I have a dual degree in Engineering and hold several Patents in my field.

However, I learned a long time ago that, that when it comes to audio, it is far better to let one's ears inform one's intellect (and system of beliefs), rather than the other way around. 

Take a moment to think about that.  This distinction is extremely important.  If your ears hear a difference and you confirm that difference is reliable and repeatable, then find a logical reason how and why it can be so.  Do not let theory sway your judgement, rather let your judgement inform the theory. 

It is interesting that OCD Mikey's comments come without much comment on the sonics of servers/streamers at various price points and many comments on this thread follow the same hypothetical path. 

Personally I have HEARD many many servers in my system, from an entry level laptop to a custom built desktop PC optimized for audio to the latest servers from Baetis, Laufer Teknik, and Aurender

They all sound significantly different in my system and range is SQ from pedestrian to amazing.  I finally spent my hard earned money on a third party solution that cost over 5 figures, even though I would have loved to have had success in my own DIY effort.

As a good friend said to me, until you've driven both, the difference between servers, like the difference between a Porsche 911 and a GT3 is simply no more than speculative.

Don’t get me wrong, I am an extremely technical guy.
FWIW I have a dual degree in Engineering and hold several Patents in my field.

Okay ... Obviously not Electrical Engineering. I have patents too ... In audio.