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Music server recommendations needed.

I have a large CD collection (4000 - 5000+) and so far I have only been managing my digital music files on my MacBook Pro through Apple Music only. (Partially digitized from my CD collection, partially commercially bought digital music files.) The music is largely an exhaustive jazz collection totaling some 6000 albums, by my estimate.

 

I need to digitize and collect all of my music on a music server. Ideally I would like to do this in just 2 components - a CD player and a Music Server, or a Music Server that comes equipped with a good CD player. The ability to effortlessly digitize the CDs, and then properly catalog, search and listen to my digitized music is the end goal. The CD player must be able to play SACD media. Would be nice if I can keep the DAC out of the music server. I'd like to keep the cost reasonable, but at some level I don't know what is reasonable either. Whatever I pick, I want it to stay for the long haul. What would you knowledgeable folks suggest as a solution?

I currently own a Jay's Audio CD player connected to a Benchmark Audio DAC3 HGC and Galion Audio TS120 SE integrated tube amp and Triangle Antal speakers.

 

Thanks,

Amit

 

amitb
zlone
679 posts
 

I have an Innuos Zenith Mk III that is well regarded and has excellent user software. It also has a CD slot for ripping, but not playing, CD's to the internal drive.

My suggestion however is to keep your CD player, get the best Innuos unit that you can afford, a subscription to Qobuz, and skip ripping all of your CD's. Use that for awhile and see if you are missing anything. I have all my CD's ripped and stored on mine, but rarely use them. Quite frequently a newer or better version of a recording is available on Qobuz.

larryi
4,033 posts
 

You need something to rip your CDs, a means of storing those ripped files, backup storage so you don't lose all those ripped files if the hard drive storing the files dies, and a server/dac to play back the files.  These can be combined in one or two units.  I don't have any specific recommendations.  I own a Naim ND 555 server and their UnitiCore ripper/NAS (network attached storage); I also own two back up storage hard drives.  All of the storage drives are 8 TB units. 

I have about 5,000 CDs ripped this way.  I don't know how anyone with a large collection easily accesses the collection without a server.  With just a sliver of information about a CD, I can find it by searching the meta-data that is also stored with the music files.  

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,805 posts
 

Look at a 432evo Aeon highest performance server out there for the money, we have found.

 

very advanced design separate low noise cpu, of its own electrically isolated motherboard, electrically isolated clock board and usb card, two external sbooster power supplies, custom OS designed to maximize sound quality.

 

We tested this server against a 27k Innous Statement next gen. and found the much less expensive Aeon to sound just as good.

also tested vs a 12k Aurender where we sounded better.

fully modular hardware allows for future improvements as better hardware becomes available

 

Dave and Troy

Audio Intellect NJ

432evo dealer

 

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