Is it worth it to add a music server just for FLAC files?

One of the most profound changes in the digital end of my system was to finally put in a high end music server. The first step was a Auralic.. then I moved to Aurender. The difference was profound. Now the sound quality of CD player played, LAN stored, internally (on streamer), and Qubuz have the same sound quality… well the Qobuz is frequently better as they are higher resolution files.

For years I upgraded DACs and amps, speakers, headphones… passing over the source. My first dedicated music streamer changed all that. Now I recognized the source, like the turntable in analog reproduction is the first critical step in getting great sound quality. My streamer is now the most expensive component in my system (well, equal to my tube amp). Worth every penny. I never play those albums on storage. I listen to Qobuz and have access to more music to explore than I could listen to in a lifetime.


After owning a couple good steamers, audioning a bunch, and several Aurender, I favor Aurender. They really get how to do streaming. The critical importance of the power supply. The audio circuit in mine runs on battery.

I believe the OP was asking specifically about his files stored on a HD.  The query wasn’t about streaming services.  So then the question becomes do files stored on a HD sound better if played back on a bog standard personal computer vs.a dedicated server/streamer.  This goes back to the issue of whether dedicated server/streamers sound better than computers.  In general, they do, but PCs can be optimized for audio playback using a relatively inexpensive program such as Audirvana Plus.  

We have sold aurender and they did sound better then direct streaming

However the innous and 432evo servers offer far better sound then aurender

Roon gives you the ability to upconvert 16 44 to high res or even dsd

We are a krell dealer and the addition of a good server dramatically improves the dac

We can even send you a server to audition

To date anyone who has demoed our 432Evo servers have bought one

https://youtu.be/m_sYbgFvUOg

They sound that good

Davea And troy
AUDIO INTELLECT NJ
US IMPORTERS 432EVO MUSIC SERVERS

The real question seems to be whether a new streamer platform can offer improved sound. Others have said it here, but just agreeing that 'yes' you can improve your sound by upgrading your streamer. I have been experimenting with standalone streamers this year and keeping everything else the same (i.e. DAC, etc.) there are noticeable differences between streamers.

@ mahler You are correct. I am mainly interested in local FLAC files from a hard drive. Since Qobuz is only about 5% of my listening that is not part of my equation.

The 'less is more' side of me is telling me to stick with just the hard drive -->> keep it simple, less moving parts, cables, etc.

The other side of me is thinking that maybe an Aurender model might smooth things out like is mentioned above.

Am I correct that the hard/solid state drive in a commercial streamer is an off the shelf drive? Meaning like one you could buy off of Amazon or is the storage a specialized/audio centric storage device. 

I really do appreciate everyone's feedback. Thank you.