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State of the Source: Server, computer....or what?

There has been a lot of discussion here about the impact of having the best possible DAC for digital playback, from a long-runnning thread on Lampizator to the current thread where member Mattnshilp has been trying out a variety of DAC's in order to select what sounds best to him, but what constitutes the best sounding digital source?

So the questions for this thread are, what digital source sounds best to you and why? What features do you like in the manufactured music servers? And, can the sound quality from a well sorted-out Mac mini or CAPS style computer/server, with linear power supply, SSD, and the associated ability to use a variety of music players, upsampling options, memory play, and EQ, compare favorably with the manufactured server options that use preloaded programs or, are the differences primarily related to the manufactured options being easier to use than a computer, which requires the user to load and maintain the programs used?
mitch2
maxboy00's avatar
maxboy00
277 posts
 
Moving to a music based server system is very appealing, I have been interested in the Music Vault in particular, and find that this type of system is useful for management of large CD collections.

The issues seem to be a check list of core hardware/software components, since each MFG has there own variation and this can be confusing to a novice user. Also the thought of ripping all of your CD'S is endlessly time consuming . . Unless you have a nine year old nearby.
mitch2 OP
3,969 posts
 
Maxboy00, I didn't include Music Vault with my initial searches and there were indeed 3 Music Vault servers that showed up in Virtual Systems here, which is still not statistically significant (e.g., results in 1.2 percent using purpose built servers).

All of these servers have their supporters but, without enough folks here using them, there is not enough general feedback to have a clue as to how they might sound relative to each other, or relative to a tricked out Mac mini or C.A.P.S. server.

Most of the reviewers who are comparing the purpose built music servers to computers are not comparing them to the C.A.P.S. servers or Mac minis that are optimized for music with SSDs, outboard HDDs and linear power supplies, plus measures to clean up the USB output such as filters, galvanic isolation, and elimination of the power side of the USB cable. As a result, "buy to try" seems to be the only way to hear how good those music servers sound.
bartg
3 posts
 
I'm at a crossroad with computer audio
Starting off with a HP Media centre (purpose built HTPC) in 2006 - I've moved along to a set up that includes a Modwright Transporter - with a great tube selection - and a QNAP TS789 32 TB server - with roughly 15,000 Albums. I also have a Logitech Touch and SB radio in other rooms

I'm very happy with the performance & the sound quality of the modified transporter and I love the software interface.

The fact that the transporter is limited to 24/96 -- and I have a number of Hi Res albums that I currently play through my OPPO -- or through another home/purpose built HTPC ( I7 / SS drive / Fanless power supply - networked) -- has me looking for an option that might take it up a notch.

I am considering a Lampizator Big 7 DAC -- that I will use with the transporter (digital out) - bypassing the analog tube stage of the transporter -- and also feed the hi res files from the HTPC into the Lampizator -- giving me a tubed DAC for everything up to 24/96 played through the Transporter (to the outboard DAC) -- and all higher resolution files from the HTPC or OPPO source into the Lampizator.

I really like the Squeeze box software/interface -- & I wish there was a hi calibre player -- without a DAC that would play DSD and hi res files with the Logitech software.

It's a shame to use the transporter -- without using the Modwright analog output stage -- but if the Lampizator matches or betters the sound quality ---- and also allows me to play hi rez files -- I'll be a happy camper for now (but that never lasts long! )
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