Music Servers & Sonos. XiVA Music M8, W4S ?

To the OP you've missed the point, Sonos doesn't need a server it is the server so to speak. What you want is a NAS to store your music on, with a NAS the only time you use a computer is to rip CD's to the NAS. The Sonos plays your music off the NAS, no computer needs to be on. Also you can control the Sonos with either their dedicated remote or a iDevice or an Android device. I think it would be helpful to you to if you visited the Sonos web site and read up on how the Sonos system actually works.

I am aware of exactly how Sonos works.

My posts says I am getting Sonos thats not the ?

As I said I want a host to hold my music not my computer.

I do not understand what is so hard to get about that.

My post clearly says I am getting a Sonos, I am looking for a server/host to store my music as I do not want to use my computer

My post also clearly says I will hook up whatever host/server I use to my stereo as well.

I'm sorry maybe I wasn't clear.. What you want to hold your music, or as you call it a "Server/host" is a NAS (Network Attached Storage) this is a hard drive that attaches to your router.

The NAS does not "hook up" to your stereo. The only unit that would connect to your system will be a Sonos zone player (now called a Connect, it used to be called a ZP90) there is nothing else that would, unless you plan on using a Dac in-between the Zone Player and your stereo to improve the sound quality, but that's not necessary and isn't a part of a Sonos system but rather an add on. You will also need a Bridge if the Zone Player will not be in the same room as your Router and Stereo. The Sonos will access your music files from the NAS via the ZP90 and play them as you want, with no computer needed past the initial setup and to rip cd's to the NAS.

I'm not try to be rude (as you were) but obviously you should read up on HOW a Sonos system can be designed and implemented because you are most assuredly not "Aware of exactly how a Sonos works" because if you were you'd be asking: "What NAS should I buy ?" not going on about hosts and servers..

BTW I've been using Sonos for better than 5 years and I've installed many many systems so I DO know what I'm talking about...good luck.

Do some research on the Xiva MusicM8 and the Wyred for Sound Music Server and you will see what I am talking about.

A server and a NAS are similar but the servers are more user friendly and usually a stand alone unit.........

I do not want a NAS, I want a server...

My post clearly is about a Music Server & Sonos.

Also yes you hook a music server to your stereo through a DAC

So sorry if you think my response was rude but I was very clear many times about what I am looking for. Also a server is a very known term for the type of equipment I am talking about... McIntosh, Wyred For Sound, Cary all make Music Servers.............

So you're going to use both? Side by side? Because Sonos will not interface with the W4S unit, or any of the others, it is a closed stand alone system, just as the Meridian Sooloos is a stand alone system.

The Sonos is also, as I'm sure you are aware a multi room, multi source system the W4S and the Xiva aren't, in fact it appears the Xiva is a NAS with server/ rendering software built in and needs a Dac) and the W4S which looks really nice (even though not available yet ) also needs an out board Dac, since it doesn't have one built in. The other thing with the W4S is that it's storage is built in 1tb, uses a single drive and can't be setup as as a RAID for back up.. it does look as though it has USB ports for expansion but their sketchy info doesn't elaborate much on it's features. (BTW I have a W4S Dac1 in a system and it sounds great)

You didn't mention cost but the W4S Server with one of their Dac's , i.e. Dac 1 will run about $3000.00

The only peripheral products (besides a router) Sonos will interface with are a NAS (for storage), outboard Dac (to improve sound quality) and of course a Mac/PC. So when you asked your original question it sure seemed to me as if you are confused as to how Sonos works, because it won't interface with anything else and certainly not with the products you mention.