Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Hey Matt I'm curious why no USB input on the Berkeley is a deal breaker for you? IIRC your stated goal was the best playback of redbook. If that's the case not having a USB input really doesn't matter since you could just use an SPDIF input..

I also think you should seriously consider using something other than a Mac Mini as a source. There are several units that will handily outperform the Mini.. and for not a lot of money..I'd recommend that you look into an Auralic Aries, or a Moon Mind, both out perform a Mini and both will output SPDIF (the Aries has USB and various SPDIF outs) and they're both very reasonably priced, and with either you could still use the Mini for storing your files ( although a Nas would be better)

Or if you wanted to keep things even simpler you might want to consider an Aurrender, if you wanted to go with a one box solution.

In any case I think the Mini may start to be a limiting factor in the performance of any Dac you end up with.

Ericminer - you are correct. But I'm waiting another year or so for the next generation of music servers. The current kits come SO close to ideal for me, but not quite there yet.

When I replace my Mac Mini, I'll have spdif output and can try some days I'm currently shying away from.

I wish you guys could hear what I am getting from my Mac/odse/Burmester /die Muzik system. It's on another level. And that's in a terrible room.

First- better room.
Then new server....

But all of your points are valid.

Jon - are you OK? Lol. That was an interesting set of posts. I always agree with myself also. ;)

Matt,
I am ok, man. The audiogon server went a bit whacky and i thought my first post didn't get through, so i posted a new one and so on and voila!...they ALL finally appeared together! I was agreeing with you, not myself. Lol!

Matt .. room first, agreed. I think that might be where we started.. As for waiting a year or so for the next gen of servers, well I suspect that might be like waiting for the next best of any tech.. next year there'll be next year and on and on :-)

Just to keep a conversation going while I continue my burn in....

I did a quick search for current music servers

Here are my requirements:
-must be a fully self contained unit or system (ie. not dependent on a computer to store the data).
-must have USB and spdif digital outputs, fully hi-res supported
-must be from a company that will still exist in 5 years (I think this is the biggest challenge right now)
-must be obviously well designed and well made with quality parts and a well implemented/well dampedm chassis.
-must connect to the network so I can pull data/files off of my Mac
-must connect to network so i can access on-line services like Tidal.
-must have a simple well laid out App to control it.
-strongly prefer it does NOT have an internal DAC.

Here is a lost of what I have found:
YFS - HD-ref3 (this is basically a purpose built PC in a PC chassis)
Lumin S1 with L1 library/storage
Antipodes DX
Aurender W20
BMC PureMedia

Any opinions? Any experience? Any thoughts.

My only 2 thoughts are these:
1) Whatever I would buy will be essentially worthless 2 years later since it will be very very quickly woefully outdated.
2) None of the current major players really have a product like this yet. Why is that??