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Best standalone music server?

So I am considering dipping my toes into the full digital world and was wondering what people here may consider as the best standalone music server, and here I am going to be specific.
I do not want to consider a home pc or mac based type of system at all!
Looking at adding one of the standalone models like for example the Wyred4sound ms1 or cocktail audio.
High on my list is ability to rip my cds directly at the unit itself, access to internet radio and other music apps (Pandora etc). High quality built in dac would be nice but if not then high quality digital out to run to an external dac. I will not be needing to access music files stored on another pc as my home pc is pretty old but fully functional for my simple needs. The only music looking to access from it right now are ripped cds and internet available music in whatever form.
So if it worked out well, yes it may be a replacement even for a cd player completely

Thank you
uberwaltz

Showing 2 responses by ncarv

ncarv
983 posts
 
Sorry about your experience with the Squeezebox, uberwaltz. Mine is still working fine using JRiver on my Surface Pro with external hard drive, but it can be a real PITA to set up and sometimes requires, um, attention. Haha!

Directly to your question, I have heard the Naim and it sounds excellent and is easy to use, a one box solution.

I haven't heard the Sony HAP-Z1ES, but it has gotten good reviews. Worth investigating.

My Wyred4Sound DAC-2 is quite good, so I'm guessing their server might be, too.

"Best" is probably too broad a request. Some cost parameters would help. The Blue Sound seems like it could be a cost effective solution.

Of these, I would bet the Naim would be "best."

Good luck!


ncarv
983 posts
 
Not finding your network should be able to be solved, though I know it is not always easy.

I'm using Tidal for digital so much lately that I rarely use my cooked up server, neither of which sound as good as my CD transport, all running through the same DAC.
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