Music server for a newbie

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...

As you know from the above posts, you have many choices.

I like using the MAC computer since it enables me to play my albums and also supports music streaming using Safari. I sometime listen to Pandora, Calm Radio and iTunes Radio in addition to my CD’s stored on the LaCie hard drive. Safari provides other streaming options such as Paradise Radio, TuneIn and many more. I decided on the computer route because I wanted the maximum amount of flexibility in my music source selection. The MAC Computer has a very small foot print and disappears when not in use. I looked at single box server solutions and discovered that many of them required an external monitor. For me, I thought the MAC computer was a better choice because of it small size and ease of use. If you are not familiar with MAC, you can attend a free one hour MAC computer class at your Apple Store for your orientation.

I find the MAC computer easy to use and you can also ask another MAC user for help if you needed. This is a big plus if you need help. Another option is your local Apple Store.

I am using the Apple MAC Book Pro Computer 13" with the following configuration:

2.9GHz Dual-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM — 2x4GB
128GB Solid State Drive

My MAC is connected to the Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC using the Synergistic Research Active SE USB Cable connected to the Luxman L-590-ax connected to Sonus Faber Olympica II Speakers. All files are in AIFF format (uncompressed) and stored on my external LaCie 3TB d2 USB 3.0 Thunderbolt Series Hard Drive.

I am using iTunes for ripping my CD's and everything is working fine. iTunes does a good job of managing my CD library and provides various options for alum selection.