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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 3 responses by randyhat

randyhat
158 posts
 
I am in a very similar situation as you.  I have hundreds of CDs that I would like to begin transferring to a server and would like to access online streaming services at some point.  My dealer has recommended the Bluesound Vault 2 as a simple one box solution for ripping CDs.  I think their streaming hardware is called the Bluesound Node 2.  
randyhat
158 posts
 
Regarding "best" standalone server.  I too am looking for something with an integrated DAC, storage and ability to stream Tidal.  I am thinking about ripping all my CDs (about 1000...sigh).  I considered the Bluesound Vault.  It certainly is inexpensive and appears easy to use...however I am concerned about sound quality.  The only reason I would go to the trouble to rip my CDs would be for convenience AND sound quality.  If my ripped CDs don't sound as good as they do on my CD player I doubt I will listen to them very much.  I want a streamer/DAC that will sound AT LEAST as good as my CD player if not better. A product like the Aurender A10 looks appealing as a higher end alternative to the Bluesound.

 I have a Sony 5400ES SACD player and a Meridian 805.24 CD player.  I realize neither of these players are anywhere near state of the art so maybe it will not so difficult to equal or surpass there performance.  My other option is to abandon the Music Server idea altogether and replace my two disc players with one high end player like the Esoteric and use it's DAC with an inexpensive streamer for online content.  Any opinions?  or alternatives?
randyhat
158 posts
 
It's not that Bluesound is not "high end enough" for me.  From what I've heard the DAC is good and the digital output connection is good.  Unfortunately I have neither a separate DAC nor do I have a preamp with digital inputs.  I would have to use the RCA outputs to my preamp...which may be the weak spot.  In any case I am curious enough about it to give it a try.  It shouldn't take me too long to determine the sound quality vs CD.  I do like the built in disc drive/ripper.  It's not that it is difficult at all to rip CDs to my computer...I just dread the chore more doing it this way than just popping them in the drive and letting it do it for me.  The other product I've considered is the Aurender A10.  It has everyone in one box except the CD ripper....and is considerable more expensive than the Bluesound. Another option would be to upgrade my CD player to a model that has a good DAC and then have the best of both worlds.
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