Why are server setups so costly relative to CDP's?

A CD player is a driver mechanisms, D/A converter and an analog output stage. A server is all that plus a computer CPU, memory, disk storage space, software, wireless connectivity and a display. For equivalent sound the server will cost more, but then again it does much more.

a mac mini with itunes and a musical fidelity v-dac will set you back 850 bucks. i would bet that will beat your rega without any trouble.

In my mind, the key to stellar digital sound is the DAC. The transport is secondary. Rega makes very solid transports and uses great DACs. Even so, you choose the sound of the CDP based on the DAC. A separate DAC will cost you more but accepts signals from multiple sources. I chose the PS AUdio DAC because of its sound. Now I can use any CDP as a transport, plus the benefits of computer USB, and any other digital source. That is worth a little more in cost. Within a very short time there will be so many great DACs at affordable prices, the cost will be roughly the same. Alternatively, CDP manufacturers will have to put digital inputs into their CDPs so you can use the DAC for other sources. If they don't, no one will buy them. Why buy a great DAC if you can only put play CDs with it?

One additional advantage of the server is that it allows to rip CD as data reading multiple times until proper checksum is obtained. Most CDPs cannot do this working in real time. It might be important with less than perfect CDs. CDs will get scratched but HD data with proper backups will last forever.

Server is also convenient/allowing other formats to be played and playlists or catalogs to be created. Finding CD on the server is a matter of seconds.

i disagree. i think the ps audio perfect wave transport is better transport than the ps audio perfect wave dac. i own both and am reviewing a dac which i prefer th that of the ps audio.

the most important component is the component followed by the transport and the dac is last. use logic it is obvious that if you have a master tape, you will recognize its sound over a boom box.

i would rather own a great recording and a poor stereo system than a great stereo syetm with a poor recording.