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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
128x128uberwaltz
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,426 posts
 
Bryston BDP-2
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
@uberwaltz,

With ethernet already wired into your room and already having an existing network, you are well on the way to a network based player solution. It's no big deal to connect a NAS(network attached storage) drive to your router. It's no big deal to connect a network player like the mentioned Aurelic Aries, Sonore microRendu, Bluesound, etc. to the ethernet cable and your DAC.

The difference between a standalone music server and one that lets you store the music on a NAS is just the additional choice you get in terms of storage capacity and expandability. 
Either way, you rip discs to a hard drive, one with "their" software which is probably OEM licensed, & supporting a small user base or the other with free software of your choice, EAC & XLD which have thousands of happy users and proven support.
Either way, metadata will need to be edited by typing edits using a piece of software chosen by you or "the box guy".
When playing music you will use a remote control with some and an app with others. Your should try out or look for youtube vids by real purchasers to see the interface before you buy. 
The Olive example is a good warning. Proprietary stuff leads to many dead ends. 
Have you looked at any system pages here of rigs with network based solutions? IMHO most are pretty clean looking and the network aspect makes it almost invisible. For example, mine is here...
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/133

Just food for thought...good luck. Cheers,
Spencer

defjam
3 posts
 
I'm no expert and a relative noob, but Naim has been doing the whole 1 box ripper/dac/pre/amp thing for quite a while. They are just releasing their new Naim Uniti line of product. Take a look.
maxnewid
449 posts
 
I am intrigued by the Musical Fidelity Encore Connect which does what you are looking for. I have had good luck with Musical Fidelity components in the past and suspect that the sound would be a step up from the Vault 2, although with a $3000 price point. Like you, I want a single box I can plug into my existing rack, connect to a router, and be done. Maintaining marital bliss by getting all of the cd's out of our family room and back into my man cave would be a life saver.The challenge is finding a Musical Fidelity dealer in the South.
digipartstrader
2 posts
 
I have the Sony Hap-z1es. Great build and sound quality and control app. You can rip direct to the unit or to a computer and sync to the unit. They list for $2k and you can usually find them cheaper. 

Once its it's loaded up with music it's easy for everyone in the house to use. You can find reviews from various magazines if you search. 
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