Dedicated Music Server/Player

I looked at Baetis, Aqua, Innuous, Taiko, Aurender, Antipodes.  They are all good in their own right.  What you get with Lucas is customer service.  Sometimes that is the added bonus you get with a boutique Company.  They can build it to your exact specs.  My speakers are boutique also --Viking Acoustic Grande Voix Dual horns.  I was able to discuss all of my parameters with the owner and builder.  I personally love that interaction.  

To follow @willgolf

Absolutely yes! I fiddled around with PCs, MacBook.. and portable devices for years. It is only sending bits, right? No! I got an Auralic Aries G2 and realized it is like every high end audio component, every component matters, particularly at the beginning of the signal chain… actually like a turntable / cartridge… the source. Suddenly, digital was sounding better… like worth listening to.  
 

Then I got an Aurender N100… then things got really good. Finally I ordered a $22K Aurender W20SE. I was concerned It was worth the money, that is a lot… after less than a minute I realized it was a bargain! Jaw dropping good… finally a source on the same level of analog. I am listening to it now… I listen to it 99+% of the time. I have 2,000 pristine albums and a fantastic TT and phono stage.

Take a look at Wolf Audio as well.  Many people are happy with their Innuos Zenith Mk3 streamers/servers although some issues with their latest software upgrade.  Best of luck. 

Me too Aurender N10 and when I upgrade my dac to Aesthetix Pandora it will probably surpass my analog

Enjoy the Holidays

Tom

Has any one have Emma labs/ meitner? Streamer/Dac

Or the Aqua streamer/dac combo?