Music server for a newbie

Apple Mac Mini with Amarra. it sound better monthly with free update for less than $1K.

I just learned of a new company called "Bluesound" that has a sound quality focus and an integrated product line that includes a server device as well as network players, amps, speakers etc. One stop shopping it would appear, similar to Sonos. Pricing does not appear too bad but you do still pay a premium for the integration and convenience out of the box as opposed to setting up one's own music server on a home computer themselves.

Consider instead a Linn or NAIM streamer along with purchase of a Synology or QNAP NAS. These are basically plug and play setup,their only gap is they don't do DSD yet and they should have better future resale than a music server.

Some suggestions to check out for single box solution that rips, stores and plays (I, like you, have no interest in building or messing with computers):

Musica Pristina
Music Vault
Baetis
Antipodes

No need to understand computers, no need for a separate NAS or ripper, great setup support and ongoing technical support. All have multiple versions/options within, and most much cheaper than, your budget.

Let us know how you progress and what you find out along the way.

Jeffkad

I'm kinda puzzled so far since I no nothing about computers and when contacting some of the brands you metioned, everyone tells you that his solution is the best, the most easy to handle and the most flexible etc.
I thought I will wait for some kind of a shootout between the main brands from an unbiased knowledgable guy but since this area changes rapidly and every day there's a new solution, I think the wait is worthless. My gut feeling tells me that the main differences between those names are not in the "audio" side per se but in the "computer" side meaning - ease of use and upgradability. Any input anyone ?