What are my options for music files, CD rips, and a DAC all-in-one solution?

Does anyone have experience with the Naim Uniti Star? Seems like a good solution for what I’m after and would run via my m-dac+.

I’m now thinking it would be best to get a standalone cd ripper to put all the music on an external 2TB harddrive as FLAC files, then connect this to a streamer and then into the Audiolab DAC and add a ROON account (Mac acting as the Core) to manage everything. So it’s just a question of which streamer. Don’t want to waste money on one with an expensive integrated DAC, as I have a standalone, unless it’s one that my Audiolab will be an improvement over.

@vinylshadow Yes the Mytek Empire is awesome sounding! I can't speak for the Aurrender A30, but i can for the N10 and the Empire is much better sounding. Yes, it is 6K more then the A30, but also includes a full balanced preamp and a very good phono preamp with nickel transformer that the A30 does not have.

I use the Melco N 100 NAS-streamer.  It comes with a 2TB hard drive.  It will play Tidal and Qobuz and connects to my DAC via usb.  The free app is basically the MConnect App, it’s worth paying a few bucks for the actual MConnect app because it works better.  You will need a ripping device.  I used first Apple optical reader, for around $80, eventually shelling out a lot more for Melcos own optical reader.  The Apple did a pretty good job but made an occasional error, the Melco has been flawless.  Both optical devices can be used in conjunction with the N100 to play CDs.  You can add extra Hard Drives through the usb inputs, either generic or Melcos own.

  The Melco is a player in my main system but acts as a server for other streamers in the home, which may be a consideration for you.  It doesn’t have Bluetooth, AirPlay, or Chromecast.

Not sure how to quote posters I’m replying to but I think that’s good advice from @mahler123  and I’ll look for a streamer only that also has USB input. Now I’ll research which one would fit best with my system.

I have an Innuos Zen Mini with the LPS. I have ripped over one thousand CDs into it, and I also stream a few downloaded files that I have purchased. I have been very happy. There are several caveats in my experience to consider: I did no A-B testing with other streamers, nor do I know how the Zen Mini’s DAC compares to the scores of free standing DACs that are on the market. I have not auditioned any other streamers in my home system. I did audition a Chord Qutest DAC for a day to see if it improved upon the Zen Mini’s internal  DAC. I could not hear a difference. Truth be told, I am DAC curious and would love to try some of the many new DACs on the market, but have not found the time nor committed to the additional expense. Good luck in your search! In my own system, I went from no streaming capability and a 20 year old Yamaha CD player to an all-in-one solution. I have no regrets whatsoever. 
 

I've heard that a Mytek Empire is awesome. But it's more $($6k) than an Aurender A 30.

I wonder if the Empire is better than the Aurender A 30. 

Auralic Altair is a great sounding one box solution

This is easy, get a Aurender A30... It has everything you want and more, 10TB hard drive, excellent DAC, internet streaming, disc ripping all in one box... I have the entry level Aurender N150 which only has a USB audio out, internet streaming, and I put a 2TB SSD hard drive in it for my pretty large .WAV music library of ripped CD's (WAV sounds much better than FLAC or apple lossless), it is a excellent unit, sounds awesome and blows away my old digital setup

Budget?

DACs don’t rip files. They play digital files that have been sent to them from a digital source, such as CDP, PC, or a streamer. In order to rip CDs to some type of hard drive you need a ripping device.

Bluesound Vault is the budget audiophile solution for an all in one ripper/storage/streamer/DAC. It has advantages and limitations.

I would suggest keeping your present DAC and getting a streamer with storage.

If you change everything at once, which an all in one device will do, and if you wind up not liking it, which link in the chain is the problem? If you keep things separate, you can evaluate the impact of each change

I have the NAD C399 Integrated amp. Has a very good DAC along with some other goodies. Not sure how you feel about BLUOS.

Thanks, I’ll check it out!

This does everything you’re looking for, but while the internal DAC is decent I’m not sure it’d be an upgrade.  It has a CD drive and internal storage so you can rip your CDs directly into it.  You could later upgrade to a better DAC and also add Innuos’ linear power supply and you’d have a very, very good streaming setup.  Best of luck. 
 

https://www.tweekgeek.com/zen-mini-mk3/

Also look at smallgreencomputer.com.  They've been around a long time and have several options with internal drives for storage, and some have a CD drive for ripping. Prices are quite reasonable for the quality.

I would order the Cocktail Audio X45 music server which does all of the above and then some:

https://www.cocktailaudio.com/home/sub01_09.php

Review:

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2019/06/14/cocktail-audio-x45-pro-music-player-dac-review/