Music Server


I have about 2000 CDs. The idea of having my music in one place without going through all the boxes, jewel cases, etc. is appealing. Any recommendations on a server and DAC?
ecfuchs

Showing 2 responses by mapman

AN emerging class of products that I think will take off over time for this is inexpensive multipurpose media devices that happen to serve up quality audio along with teh rest, as opposed to being audio only. I have seen some interesting new Android based devices like this in recent years that have promise. I think this will be the general trend moving forward. Android OS and of course good old Apple seem best positioned for this currently. I suspect when the time comes to replace my currently discontinued audio only Squeezebox devices, that is where I will end up next.
2ch has a good point.

The thing is I have already owned "inexpensive" music streaming devices from both Logitech and Roku before that. I found using an external DAC with either to be all that was needed to get things to sound very good. The Roku Soundbridges cost less than $200 new and was built on technology that is a good 10 years old already. Squeezebox TOuch was a generation or two newer and received almost universal praise for good sound as well. I've also used various modest cost optical CD source drives with same DACs over the years also with very good results. So this tells me that the cost for a good low jitter digital source is not that great, and such devices and the technology needed to make them good performers are essentially commodities already. Toss in the DAC of your choice and a good amp and speakers and you are pretty much there. Not to say that there are always ways to push the envelope further if desired, but with modern digital I think you hit a point of much diminished returns pretty soon these days when it comes to digital sources. DAC devices are a different story, with at least as much difference in sound from DAC to DAC as one might traditionally have expected moving from one phono cartridge to another in a good and well tuned phono rig.