Local network HiRes storage and player

@hifi_jed_1986 

I have not seen answers to my questions about Roon and your budget, but I will go ahead an answer your questions:

1. What is best way of doing this device wise (separate everything or combine),
2. what devices are you using, and lastly
3. are FLAC files the ideal format to store or is there something better?

Answers, IMO:

1. While some methods may offer better sound, some better reliability, and some may be better than others based on the size of your personal library, there are multiple methods of storing "high resolution music files locally on your hardwired network and playing into a stand alone DAC".  There is no one "best method" as several of the potential set-ups and a variety of different equipment could be used to provide a high resolution digital signal to your DAC.  As mentioned by @ghdprentice, it is also my opinion that, relative to that digital chain (i.e., prior to the DAC), the streamer has the most influence on the sound you hear.  Some will say there are sonic benefits to separating the server and streamer, but there are several high-priced one-box (server and streamer) solutions by companies such as Grimm and Antipodes that likely offer current state-of-the-industry performance.
2. I use a separate server and streamer - two different components.  My sonicTransporter i9 (Gen4) is set up in a separate room along with my modem and router, and the digital output signal is converted to an optical signal, which is connected by a fiber optic cable to a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Deluxe streamer (located in the room with my main system) that either feeds my DAC through a USB cable or, depending on my set-up at the time, feeds a Singxer SU6 DDC via USB, which is then connected to my DAC via S/PDIF coax or AES/EBU XLR.
3. While there are other formats, FLAC files should sound just fine (particularly for standard redbook CDs) and will in most cases equal what you hear by streaming.  

I have the Eversolo A6 and I'm ready to throw it in the trash.  It's way too buggy and I often abandon my listening session as a result .  Each update seems to create new problems.  So I completely relate to your post.  I too am looking for a Streamer/Server in the $1k - $1.5K range.  

Buy a innuos streamer that has a excellent Teac disc drive to rip,

a SS  hard drive , several linear power supplies ,vibration isolation ,and upgrades 

when available for free, and a excellent sense app 

Eversolo support is the worst ....   still waiting on a fix since June of 24.     They only care about units sold.  Not the end user.     I don't understand the hype, they are average sounding and  buggy.   

Watch out for their new line, Luxsin...   nice rip off of the legendary name "Luxman".   Total POS company. 

Innuos is a safe bet.    

I actually don’t need to rip any CDs. The desire to store files on local network is based on desire to listen to live soundboard recordings downloadable in FLAC and other high res formats. Streaming is great but can’t get everything I’d like to have on those platforms.

user friendliness is important to me. I’m just feeling like the A8 is mediocre at best and looking for a very high quality streamer and/or network storage that can receive files downloaded from desktop comp