High end streamer/server profound choice


Lots of pieces to consider, power supply, clockers, switches, formats, connection issues, dac issues, ethernet noise, optical rendu, etherregen, etc.  


Too much to handle?  I think so.

so i am considering stretching and getting a higher end component $8 to $12 and avoiding all the nonsense.  And feel better with a nice piece of gear.  Avoiding clutter.


doesnt this make more good sense?? 
jumia
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yesiamjohn nailed it
Our approval won't get you there.

@jumia, As @richtruss reports above, and others, have stated above, successful Streaming REQUIRES all the devices that get the Internet signal to your server to be working perfectly. This include the router, switch boxes, modems, the ISP connection, the ISP junction boxes, ISP amplifier and an optimized Ethernet connection, etc. IN OTHER WORDS, there are many moving parts in front of the server that might need work.

For example, my outside cable junction box cables were corroded and needed to be replaced. My outside ISP amplifier was not working correctly and needed repairs. And, my ISP cable signal was out of the correct frequency range and needed to be adjusted.

It seems, unfortunately, I had issues with most everything down stream that took time and patience to get repaired. AND, yes, everything is working fine now and it sounds wonderful.









I recently went from an Antipodes server to Mojo Audio’s latest DejaVu EVO server and have been very pleased with both of them. Having enough on-board SSD storage for my saved files and working flawlessly with Roon, Tidal, and other streaming services are important to me, and both of these servers/streamers work flawlessly in those areas. Both have robust power supplies optimized for low noise. The Antipodes DX3 G3 has an on-board disc drive and automatically rips CDs and then stores them internally. Those on-board drives are becoming less common and even the newer Antipodes models don’t have them but it is easy to rip your CDs using your program of choice and then upload your lossless FLAC files to either of those servers. I have had nothing but good luck dealing with both Antipodes and Mojo Audio (which is in the USA, if that matters to you). Both sound great whether playing from the internal SSD or streaming from Roon.

As you can see from many other similar Audiogon posts, the selection of a music server is NOT an easy decision or process. It seems, everyone has a DIFFERENT server recommendation. I suggest you make a list of the important features your music server needs and your questions. For example, please review:

1) What is your price range for a music server. 

2) What features does your server need? For example, I wanted my CD albums stored in the same box, wanted Tidal and Qobuz Streaming Services and also Internet radio stations. And I also needed the ability to add more additional streaming services when they become available. My Aurender has all these services.

3) Do you want a DAC built into the streamer or a separate DAC? For maximum flexibility, I decided on an external DAC (Bricasti M21 DAC)

4) What digital outputs do you need? I decided on a Music streamer with BOTH USB and AES/EBU digital outputs to my DAC. In most cases, I prefer the AEB/EBU connection (a very high priority for me). Some music servers offer an Ethernet audio connection for output.

5) Is a Roon interface important to you? If needed, you need a Roon enabled server. I decided that Roon is NOT required. In my case, the Aurender Conductor App is easy to use AND DOES exactly what I need. However, several of my friends purchased a Roon enabled server and likes it very much. Another friend purchased the Roonlabs Nucleus by Roon Music Server and recommends it.

6) Your server needs a controlling App that runs on an iPad or something similar. You need to review the App to ensure it supports your needs to easily find and manage your music selections. The Aurender Conductor App has these features.

7) Does your server offer Remote Internet Technical Support? The Aurender does. I used this once and they solved my user operational issue very quickly (my error).

8) Since I have owned my Aurender N10, Aurender has made several software updates that have greatly improved the features and function of the N10. These updates were contained in various software updates that are easy to install. Your selected server needs to have the ability to be updated quickly.

9) Sound quality is the MOST important. In my case, I asked many questions, talked to many people, read many reviews and auditioned various servers to help me make the right decision. I selected the Aurender N10 Music Server for its excellent sound quality.

I hope the above helps you make a decision. Thanks....

NEW INFORMATIOM: On September 30th, 2020, I replaced my Aurender N10 Server with the Aurender N20 Music Server. My Aurender N20 Music Server is installed and working great. The N20 is supplied WITHOUT hard drives installed. This means hard drives are the customer’s choice. Each of the two rear panel mounting sleds accommodates a 1, 2, 4 or 8TB 2.5-inch SSD or up to 5TB 15mm height 2.5inch HDDs. Since users have different storage requirements, Aurender feels this is the best way to satisfy everyone. Aurender recommends Samsung EVO (I used Samsung EVO) or QVO series internal SSD drives, and Western Digital or Seagate HDDs.

My new N20 sounds excellent. The music is clearer, the bass is better, has more air and it has more musical details. The overall musical presentation is much improved. I am listening to jazz now and the sound quality is much improved.

In summary, the N20 sounds terrific. I really like it. This is a substantial sound quality improvement. I find the Conductor App very easy to use and find the albums to play. I can very easily navigate between mystored CD albums, QoBuz and Internet radio stations. The Aurender N20 Music Server is highly recommended.




It all comes down to tradeoffs and picking your poison. One box solutions provide elegant simplicity for a use case at a point in time. Separates sacrifice some of that simplicity for flexibility as your needs or technology changes.
When dealing with the same questions I found that separate NAS for file storage, separate linear power supply & optical isolation for the streamer/network player and separate DAC all were significant factors in the level of sound quality at any given price point. That and the control software UX that keeps it a joy vs. burden is where the rubber meets the road.
IMHO, the research phase you're in now is most of the pain you'll get pursuing separates. Once you have them, it won't be an issue.
Network stability, interference, software updates from Apple,etc. messing up what worked great yesterday, etc. are where you're find your aggravation.
Cheers,
Spencer
So the brands to choose from are Aurender, Auralic, Lumin, Antipodes, PS audio, Naim, Bryston.  All make pretty boxes. Working with $10k to $15k range to get a player/server, and dont want to burden box with an embedded dac.

am leaning to Antipodes, K50 or K30,  like their hybrid power handling approach,  player flexibilty is nice, separation within box, still trying to better understand clocking and all the connections  offered. 
My own server is many box, but if a good one box solution is in your budget, I could see that being very worthwhile.

A long time ago, as computer audio was heating up around here, someone said they didn't want to import computer headaches in their audio room.

That's always stuck with me; while I absolutely don't regret going down the computer audio road, the computer grief -- eg, going to listen and needing to reboot everything -- is serious aggravation. Enough at work!


Do the one box solutions substantially mitigate that?


You can spend big money on a lovely streaming/server box with great user experience and great sound potential, but unless you invest significantly in optimising and cleaning the Ethernet feed to it, you won’t hear its full sonic potential.
@jumia - I also came to the same conclusion to simplify rather than have all those boxes and cables.  However, I'll still get an audiophile ethernet switch for the sonic uptick.  
Dac remains separate, horrifying to embed a dac inside a network player. 
Problem i have is being jerked around with all the separate pieces, and then replacing and adjusting and in the end never quite achieving your goal and ending up spending more with lots of equipment stting idle in boxes as its not worth it to sell.

so buy a quality reference piece that will achieve an exceptional result and wont look like a hodgepodge of boxes scattered all over.  I think we can combine the various pieces relating to players and servers.  Harder to do with amps, processors, dacs and stereo preamps, which should all be separate.  Integrated only makes sense if u live in manhattan. 


Lucas Audio Lab can custom build a roon server/streamer to your system and budget.  He’ll also support you in optimizing it with updates in perpetuity. I have a lower end one ($3800) and will not be upgrading it again anytime soon.  Very honest, competent guy.  No bullshit.
You will not be sorry. For the longest time I felt that it just couldn’t be that important... oh how wrong I was. I recommend Aurender. I have the W20SE, but the N10 is wonderful. They will have a model that perfectly fits your needs. Aurender seems to have figured out how to silence the whole unit and quiet it down as well as get the maximum natural sound out. I also have a N100. I used to have an Aurlic Aries G2...
You are free to waste your money as you choose. I know I pay too much for things some time to avoid hassle. You know what is best for you.
I have been very happy with Melco.  They don’t supply a DAC, and you don’t mention if you have one.  If not, that will take a major chunk of the budget 
Not to me.  
YRMV.

I think you meant $8K to $12K.
I could find better uses for that long green.