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Is it worth it to add a music server just for FLAC files?

Hopefully someone can help with my question.

My current system is a Krell Digital Vanguard Integrated Amplifier and Wilson Cub Series 2 speakers. The Krell has a USB input that I have connected to an external hard drive that contains all of my FLAC files. I control what is playing with the mconnect app on my phone and can stream from Qobuz/Tidal/Spotify if I need to. It all works fine and sounds great to my ears.

My question is other than some GUI navigation improvements what would be gained if I ran my FLAC files through a music/network server (Aurender, etc) before inputting to the Krell? My intention at the moment is to continue using the DAC in the Krell. Not interested in Roon.

What would a music/network server add in my situation?

I know the real experiment would be to get a music server and let my ears tell me, but just trying to think this through right now.


zerofox

Showing 2 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
7,543 posts
 
I completely understand where you are coming from. I was there, thinking I just want to use what I have. But at some point I broke through that mind set and realized there was a whole new world out there… It completely blew me away. I look back now and just can’t believe how wonderful this new world is.

I daily listen to music two to three hours a day with incredible musicality and virtually none of it did I listen to a year ago, or last month. I discover new groups an genera constantly exploring whole worlds of music I had no idea existed and with astonishing sound quantity that constantly inspires me.
ghdprentice
7,543 posts
 
One of the most profound changes in the digital end of my system was to finally put in a high end music server. The first step was a Auralic.. then I moved to Aurender. The difference was profound. Now the sound quality of CD player played, LAN stored, internally (on streamer), and Qubuz have the same sound quality… well the Qobuz is frequently better as they are higher resolution files.

For years I upgraded DACs and amps, speakers, headphones… passing over the source. My first dedicated music streamer changed all that. Now I recognized the source, like the turntable in analog reproduction is the first critical step in getting great sound quality. My streamer is now the most expensive component in my system (well, equal to my tube amp). Worth every penny. I never play those albums on storage. I listen to Qobuz and have access to more music to explore than I could listen to in a lifetime.


After owning a couple good steamers, audioning a bunch, and several Aurender, I favor Aurender. They really get how to do streaming. The critical importance of the power supply. The audio circuit in mine runs on battery.
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