Music server for a newbie

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 ?

I wouldn't in anyway claim to be all knowledgeable about music servers. I like the general concept but when I investigated them within the past two years what I saw and read within my budget means simply fell short of my needs and interest.

I am the most average of computer users but I was able, with help from several people on several sites, to get a really efficient and good sounding system using a Mac Mini and peripheral software.

I think you have to be sure you know what you want a system to do for you before making any decisions on equipment. Some of the things I wanted were:

1. I wanted to be able to create, update and maintain a music library. You have to rip CDs, download files, update metadata, add artwork.
2. Of course you want high quality audio playback and flexibility in the ability to integrate the system with your audio system.
3. A user interface was important to me. I am no longer satisfied with the simple play tools of a CD like playback experience. I want a graphic user interface that is well thought out and very functional. I want the ability to display artwork and other information on the music being played possibly on an HDTV but as a minimum on an iPad.

There are many other things that can go into the design and implementation of a music server but to me if any of the components of making it a fully functional device are dependent on another device (a computer) to perform any essential function then it's not a complete product.

I bought a good used PC laptop for $300, stripped it down to just Windows 7 and Chrome, bought jRiver for $50, ripped to flac, set it to play from memory and feed a Wireworld USB cable without using Windows Media Player or Mixer, and go into a Benchmark USB DAC. Amazing what jRiver can do with different media sources, and it sounds much better, to me, than my old Wadia 3200 player going to the Benchmark over 75 ohms. So long CD's.

I prefer separates to minimize the cost of technology obsolesence. To me that means the ideal setup is
1. PC for ripping
2. NAS for storage
3. Streamer for playback, control and digital out
4. DAC

A PC is the last device I want to use for 1-3 combined.. its not hardware built to a dedicated purpose.

Icorem, I understand your confusion. I've been looking at this on and off for a year. I absolutely agree that I would love to see a shootout among servers, but I too believe that will not happen anytime soon. That wait is indeed worthless. It seems that every review simply compares these purpose built servers to basic or even modded pc's and mac's.

Also, while you are correct that each server maker thinks his way is the best way, how is that different from every other audio product, lol? Unfortunately, for guys like you and I, we are simply going to have to pull the trigger based on whatever pitch makes the most sense to us. I know I want a single box solution that rips, stores, and plays back with high convenience, low hassle, and good sound quality. I think that each of these servers can do the job to varying degrees, and the sound quality is probably similar, even if they take different roads to get there. I have various threads on Computer Audiophile, Audio Shark, etc on the topic of these servers, and have followed, read and/or commented on dozens of other threads regarding one or more of these servers. I am no closer to fully understanding which is best than I was last year, so I will make the best decision I can based on my criteria, with the assumption that the sound quality will be reasonably close.

Now, to throw one last wrench into things, there are some variables that may make the server's sound quality less of an issue. First, the BADA USB to SPDIF converter supposedly works like magic, and may take the SQ issue (noise, jitter) off the server's back, requiring less money be spent on a server just to improve SQ (although you WILL be paying 1800 for the BADA). Second, some new dacs, like the Chord dacs and the new PS Audio Direct Stream, supposedly use FPGA chips that again take the SQ onus off the server. I realize you have the DCS, so the latter option is not valid for you, but just sayin...

Once again, unfortunately, unless you or a magazine or a wealthy audiophile decide to test/compare all these servers and variables, we will never know the absolute best path.

Finally, for me, I think I'm down to the Antipodes or the Musica Pristina. Hey, gotta make a decision sometime?

Good luck...