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Music Server - The Search Begins

I recently upgraded my amp to a Lyngdorf TDAI-3400, which incorporates the highest quality DAC I have owned, so it's gotten me to seriously consider adding a music server to my system.  
I've been mainly playing records through my system for the past 8 years, so I really haven't paid much attention to the digital side of things.  I need some help figuring out what's ideal for my needs.
The main criteria I have:
- Needs to be able to store a lot of music because I have thousands of CDs and downloads I want to store in one place
- Should have its own CD ripper
- Needs to be easy to use. I'd like to be able to navigate it without having to use a phone, tablet or computer all the time
- Must be reliable.  Glitchy, buggy systems will end up being returned.
- Must sound good, but doesn't need to be in the top 5% of its class.  
- Should be under $3K (but willing to consider higher priced if the benefits are really worth it)

Servers that I've been considering include the Cocktail Audio X50D, Sony HAP-Z1ES, BlueSound Vault, Melco N1.  I realize that not all of these on my list include every criteria I listed above, hence my plea for help.  

If you have experience using a server that you really like and that might make sense for me please share your experiences.  Thanks so much!!

Peter

128x128snackeyp
62 responses Add your response
bjg
29 posts
 
I’m a fan of separating my storage from my Dac and my renderer / player - that way - the individual components can be upgraded or replaced if needed.   

I’m very happy with a dedicated QNAP server networked in another room - many size choices - you can never have too much storage space - I have 32 tb with raid 6 running fine for the past 3 years - with LMS and Roon both running on their server - I just rip CD’s on my PC and store them on the networked server.  I use a special built fanless Linux PC as a player / endpoint ( Lampizator Komputer) - running into a Lampizator Big 7 Dac -  the system has been bullet proof for me for many years and I like the fact that there are no hard drives or fans spinning in my listening room and the qnap also serves my movies and recorded TV throughout the house -  roughly 20k albums and 2k movies and I’ve still got plenty of HD space and the ability to expand with external hard drive usb 3 ports on the server - I can serve the content to plex players, chrome cast, airplay, LMS touch and squeezebox radios throughout the house - all controlled with a phone, tablet, laptop or PC -  everything just works perfectly -  I avoid wireless transmission wherever possible - just to ensure good solid communication throughout the house 
jenssmed
4 posts
 
without hawing read it all, buy  a Nuc i7 install Roon Rock and enjoy.
use your pc. for Ripping, put it to a storrage and forget about it  :-)
bander's avatar
bander
493 posts
 
You would do well to check out the server from Mojo Audio. I have one of his servers of which I'm very happy. Ben provides excellent customer service and will spend a lot of phone time with you. He offers a 30 or 40 day refurn policy. Mojoaudio.com.

bander's avatar
bander
493 posts
 
You would do well to check out the server from Mojo Audio. I have one of his servers of which I'm very happy. Ben provides excellent customer service and will spend a lot of phone time with you. He offers a 30 or 40 day refurn policy. Mojoaudio.com.

jenssmed
4 posts
 
Godmorning from Denmark,

Just a small kick-in, the Lyngdorf Tdai 3400 and 2170 do not use Dac, they are digital amplifiers that use pcm in the signal processing and pwm in the amplifier, the pwm signal is also digital (a sort of Digital) and drives the speaker: https://knowledge.ni.com/KnowledgeArticleDetails?id=kA00Z0000019OkFSAU
"In Lyngdorf Audio’s totally digital processing, a digital input is processed and subsequently transformed into a pulse width modulated code (PWM) based on the patented Equibit™ technology originally developed for the Lyngdorf Audio Millennium amplifier.  Without any analog signal processing"
snackeyp's avatar
snackeyp OP
455 posts
 
Well, after much consideration I've decided to order the Cocktail Audio X50D.  I chose it for several reasons that I won't fully elaborate on right now, but one of the biggest motivators was it's versatility, with emphasis on storage capacity.  It has two bays for hard drive or SSD and can be configured as a RAID with up to 16TB storage, which is pretty cool.  I don't envision needing that much, but who really knows?  I just didn't want to settle for something with a max of 2TB where I can easily see myself hitting that limit and having to work toward another solution. 
The price for this unit seems like a bargain considering its feature set, but considering that there are no serious reviews available I feel a bit like I'm jumping in and will just have to accept the bad with the good.  I'm hoping it will be just what I have been looking for. 
Peter 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Good luck with the Cocktail x50

Hope you are happy with it but I have to tell you I ordered a X30 for my daughter and ended up returning it as it just did not sound good at all.
Hard to describe but my opinion was that is was more "lifestyle" than "audiophile".Think that is why there is a paucity of reviews to be had.

I would have warned you away from Cocktail but you did not give much indication you would be even considering that option seriously.

And truly, 2tb of storage is massive, 2500cds and I am only 17% storage used and that is wav files.

Keep us informed as I am intrigued.

snackeyp's avatar
snackeyp OP
455 posts
 
I changed my mind about the Cocktail Audio server.  
I'm going to continue researching this.
in the mean time, I just ordered a RAID array to create a storage and back up system for my music and photos.  Since my Lyngdorf amp has a media player built in, I plan to try either J River or Roon to play music from the RAID and see if I like it.  From there I will have a clearer idea which direction I want to go.  

almaaudio's avatar
almaaudio
14 posts
 
Hi,

We do have a demo Zenith mk2, with 1Tb, that's currently looking for a new home :) Contact us for pricing, etc.
If you need more storage, the mk3 now comes in up to 4Tb capacity. 
We can also put together a simple NAS for you, if your collection is fairly large or you'd just rather keep the files elsewhere. 

cheers,
Alex
(alex@almaaudio.com)


Post removed 
1graber2's avatar
1graber2
303 posts
 
@soundsrealaudio- which Melco model do you have ? 

I'm seriously considering the Melco N1A Mk2, for around $2500. 
The amount of detail they put into the engineering to reduce noise is admirable. Any glitches with using outside Apps like Tidal ? or JRiver? 

But the Melco does have not have all the features of the
 Cocktailv50, that thing is loaded with options. I just wonder if the
 audio signal might suffer due to trying to do so many things at once. 


freesole
159 posts
 
@snackeyp did you end up finding a server that works best for the digital side with your Lyngdorf? Curious as I am in the same place as you - current streaming from my PS Audio Directstream and just got a Lyngdorf 3400 as well. 
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