Best standalone music server?

Getting back to the original posters request, a Server which includes ripping, a possibility I haven't seen suggested is Innuos. This UK/Portuguese collaboration has had a very good review on HiFi Plus and comes in a variety of forms to suit most budgets. It is now available in the US I believe. Not sure what pricing is like over there, in the UK it is quite a bit cheaper than Aurender and Melco. It also includes SSD and HDD drive options, up to 4 TB's.

 I use a traditional Mac Mini into a DAC, in my case, an Ayre QB9 and am wondering what a HiFi component has to offer, in terms of sound quality. I am going to a UK show soon, where Innuos promises to have the three parts of the upgrade path, Zen Mini, Zen and Zenith, available to compare. I will report back on the results.

  There seems to be an unresolved dispute, shown in this thread. On the one side, all you need is a computer/NAS, on the other,  a Server, streamer will always be better. What would be great, is blind comparison between say a Mac Mini and, Innuos, Melco or Aurender, Server. I can not remember seeing one. If there has been one, please direct me to it.

"Mine as I have stated is to have something tangible in my hands when I have paid good money for it.
Now just as an example, I bought some cd,s say and I decided I did not like them, well I am going to rip them to flac files anyway and then resell them."

 That's interesting Uberwaltz, is that legal in the US, it's not in the UK?

Here, you are entitled to copy, rip a CD, but only if you keep the original CD in storage somewhere. I'm not sure if anyone would ever be caught, but I do keep all my ripped CDs. This is partly because I still don't trust even backed up storage.

 I have just started using an Innuos Zenith. This is a UK/Portugese Server and certainly very keenly priced, here in the UK. It should be good in the US, with the current $/£  exchange rate. It has recently become available over the pond, I believe. Here it is a good bit cheaper than Melco or Aurender and has a ripping port, excellent support and is very easy to use.

 I had been using a heavily modified Mac Mini, which took me weeks to get up and running, being not an IT wizard. The Innuos took a morning, with very good telephone support. I would'nt have needed any help at all, but for my Ayre QB9 DAC, refusing to speak to the Innuos. I don't know why, just bad manners I think.

 It comes in various versions, with HHD and SSD options, the Zenith is the SSD one. It contains a ripping port and the whole process of ripping, backing up etc, is simple. There is an option to check metadata before ripping and adding a photo if none is available on Metadata.

 Even out of the box, no warm up, it is way ahead of the Mac Mini, crisp detailed sound, great dynamics and soundstage.

  All in all, highly recommended.