Music server recommendations needed.


I have a large CD collection (4000 - 5000+) and so far I have only been managing my digital music files on my MacBook Pro through Apple Music only. (Partially digitized from my CD collection, partially commercially bought digital music files.) The music is largely an exhaustive jazz collection totaling some 6000 albums, by my estimate.

 

I need to digitize and collect all of my music on a music server. Ideally I would like to do this in just 2 components - a CD player and a Music Server, or a Music Server that comes equipped with a good CD player. The ability to effortlessly digitize the CDs, and then properly catalog, search and listen to my digitized music is the end goal. The CD player must be able to play SACD media. Would be nice if I can keep the DAC out of the music server. I'd like to keep the cost reasonable, but at some level I don't know what is reasonable either. Whatever I pick, I want it to stay for the long haul. What would you knowledgeable folks suggest as a solution?

I currently own a Jay's Audio CD player connected to a Benchmark Audio DAC3 HGC and Galion Audio TS120 SE integrated tube amp and Triangle Antal speakers.

 

Thanks,

Amit

 

amitb

@mgrif104 Expectations create reality.   If  you expect some thing to make a certain kind of change, then thatʻs what youʻre looking for and will likely get.

Computers process and transfer data.  Bits is bits.  The sound all depends on your DAC.  Regardless of the source, whether itʻs a streamer or a cheap PC, the same data comes down the wire.  There are reclockers you can put between a PC and a DAC, but Iʻve never heard one that made a difference.

I use the Melco N 100 server and I purchased the their Optical Ripper, along with another Melco storage device.  The optical ripper can be used to spin CDs as well if combined with the N100.

  The Melco doesn’t contain a DAC and I didn’t quite get what the OP was saying about the relationship he seeks between his DAC and his server.  If I was him I would get combine the Melco with an SACD player that has inputs to allow it to be used as a DAC.  
  As usual the OP is asking about a storage solution and is being bombarded with responses that he should be exclusively using a streaming service in its place.  I think a more helpful response would be along the lines of “I prefer to use a streaming service, but to respond to your question, this suggestion might be tried…”

@russbutton 

You do realize your LP12 is the same as a Thorens. I can find one on eBay for $165. Vinyl is vinyl. 

But hey, Expectations create reality. If  you expect some thing to make a certain kind of change, then thatʻs what youʻre looking for and will likely get.

@amitb I’ve read good things about many of these products. I don’t allocate audiophile amounts of change to my system, but I have a ver satisfying sound. I got a used set of NAD Master’s series M50 and M51 as a streamer/DAC combo. My M50 is old and only the streamer works now, but an M50.2 would provide the features you want with the awesome BluOS ecosystem. Good luck!

 

M50/51

Belles Soloist integrated

Vandersteen 2CE,

upgrading to Quattro Cloth + Ayre 7AXE

@mclinnguy You must be looking at a very old photo of my rig.  The Linn left me years ago.  Now running a Rega P5.  Iʻm soon to sell off the record collection and table.  Trying to simplify my life.  I do hear differences between vinyl and digital, but theyʻre not big enough for me to care anymore.

If I were starting over, Iʻd run a pair of the Dutch & Dutch 8c and my Linux PC.  No fooling with exotic cables, interconnects, etc.  But Iʻm fine with my Linkwitz Orions.  They still kill it on voices and piano.