I don't think there is an easy answer to your question. A lot of people have found that a computer or server into a good dac to offer great sound. There are theoretical advantages (low jitter, no problem with error correction on the fly because data is held in a buffer), but then, in theory all bit perfect formats should be the same, but, many are finding differences in WAV vs. FLAC and the software used. I heard a comparison myself and preferred WAV over FLAC files. In short, all the issues on how to implement computer/server have not been resolved as yet.
As to subjective impressions of what is best, opinions are all over the place. A friend of mine really likes the clarity and detail of the Naim NDS set up over the top of the line Naim 555 CD player. I actually prefer the CD 555 sound myself (warmer, greater weight, less of a hard edge to the initial attack of notes). I own both.
The server has, at least for now, replaced the player because of the ease of access to my music collection afforded by the server. There is quite a bit of hard work involved to get there though--particularly editing metadata on classical CDs. I've done almost 2,400 CDs so far, and I am a bit more than half way home.
As to subjective impressions of what is best, opinions are all over the place. A friend of mine really likes the clarity and detail of the Naim NDS set up over the top of the line Naim 555 CD player. I actually prefer the CD 555 sound myself (warmer, greater weight, less of a hard edge to the initial attack of notes). I own both.
The server has, at least for now, replaced the player because of the ease of access to my music collection afforded by the server. There is quite a bit of hard work involved to get there though--particularly editing metadata on classical CDs. I've done almost 2,400 CDs so far, and I am a bit more than half way home.