Music Servers-Why so few?

Alot of people want the advantages of computer playback without a computer in the audio rack. I was set on a Mach2Server until it got more complicated as I kept looking into it. I dont care for Media Monkey and J River interfaces. I just need the basic ipod playback functions and a remote app for my ipad along with a great playback system. I dont want to have to tweak and play arond with just to keep the playback optimized.

Bryston seems to be the only one who has produced a stellar playback system without the PC. It looked like the Linux based systems would continue to evolve. They will play back bit perfect without a fuss. I was all set to get the Auraliti but never heard back from them.

I guess it will take more time for things to materialize. It should be interesting.

Another option is a DIY but pre-designed server that can be upgraded. One that is a computer, is small, and made to go with your audio components.

You can check out the C.A.P.S. v2.0 that was designed by Chris Connaker, the founder of Computer Audiophile. It looks like a fun and rewarding project and something I may do as well. There is quite the ongoing thread with this post.

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Computer-Audiophile-Pocket-Server-CAPS-v20

I heard a demo of the Lessloss Laminar Streamer at RMAF. It is very promising IMO. Not sure where it will fall price wise though.

Forgot to mention, that the C.A.P.S v2.0 can be purchased pre-built from Small Green Computer, and you can use an app to control it from different pads, etc.

I suspect reasons are that the technology is still evolving rapidly (hence products become outdated rapidly) and the uniform standards needed to make such a product work well for a large and diverse market are not fully in place yet. Give it time. In the meantime, there are many cost effective and robust options for those motivated to put their own music server together. The Logitech Squeeze system is the one I am most familiar with and can recommend. A fair degree of computer literacy and motivation is recommended before undertaking though still. Music servers are great when they work but there are still many snafus that can come up and make things things head south. Dealing with Terabytes of data fast and reliably is always a challenge.