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Music Server Recommendation

Hello AG community,
I have embarked down the path of getting my music off my computer (iMAC>USB Drive>Ethernet) and on to a dedicated music server.  Primarily I am looking for significantly improved sound quality and instant on. It will feed my DAC (most likely via USB). Need 4TB in onboard storage (no attached drives/NAS). I would really prefer to stay with Roon (have a lifetime sub) but will consider others with equal or superior functionality/sound/remote app.
Budget is $4-5k

My current primary equipment:
PS Audio DirectStream Jr/Oppo BDP-105
Ayre K-5xe Pre
Conrad Johnson MF2500a Amp
Vandersteen Quatro Woods
AQ Niagra 1000
AQ cables

I have been considering the below:

In the lead:
Antipodes EX (+ 4TB SSD)/Roon $5100
Innuous Zenith MKII Std/Roon $?? (can't figure out the US cost yet)

I really like the Antipodes especially the modular approach (ability to add a CX down the road), reviews and their reputation. Innuous seems like it may rival the Antipodes in sound quality. Both are not the easiest to buy or figure out sellers/distributors/pricing.

Trailing:
Aurender N100H $3000
Melco N1 MKII $??

Aurender is readily avail. Conductor app is generally well regarded. Would prefer the N10 but it is out of my range. I have heard some negatives regarding this unit being a bit shrill (definitely not anything I would be happy with). The Melco is very interesting and meets the sound quality std but is probably the fussiest from a setup perspective. Their software/remote app is probably the weakest of this group. Also confused about the 2 x XTB setup (is this a raid array or combined storage)?

What other products should I seriously consider in that price range? Is the budget sufficient for my requirements or should I look used or wait and save more?

Thank you in advance and look forward to your feedback

fdemello
fdemello OP
80 posts
 
@audiotroy Hello. I know I don't "need" onboard storage. I want it. If you read my original spec I do not want to go down the NAS/attached drive path (right now).
I'm also not sure I agree it will sound as good coming from a NAS over a network vs an integrated player.

I can see why you are enthusiastic about Innuous

I would love an MKII SE, MKIII or Statement but that isn't happening based on my expected pricing (if a MKII Std 4TB is $6k)

If an SE 4TB or MKII 4TB becomes avail as the new models come out certainly contact me

Thank you

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,607 posts
 
The onboard vs NAS arguement is a tough one for some people to get.

In the world of digital the packeted music going into the server may actually sound better than the onboard music via the ssd. As per packeted out that is a tougher call, as many fine dacs are only usb input.

We do have the Light Harmonic USB cable that has a femto reclocker built into the cable and boy is it amazing, it does cost $2,000.00 so it isn’t cheap but it beats everyother digital cable we have tested so far.

As per not embracing the NAS that is unfortunate we are running a QNAS with 8 bays and 32TB of storage with 21 TB active on a Raid 4 configuration and the QNAS Rocks.

If the reason you are not looking for a NAS is there is no ethernet in my audio room, most of these servers will require a Wireless to wired ethernet bridge to work as well.

The other option is to purchase a demo MK II and then upgrade it to the MK III when you are ready.

If you have additional questions please give us a shout we are one of the best stocked digital dealers in the country with the following digital products on display: Naim, Innous, Baetis, Lumin and Aurender servers,

Dacs, NAD, Mytek, Nuprime, Aqua Hifi, T+A, Light Harmonic, Lumin, Naim

Digital cables Wireworld, Light Harmonic.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ


labtec
189 posts
 
There have been good suggestions in this thread, but my personal favorite is the Lampizator superkomputer.  A lot of the performance is hardware, but also software and operating system.

I've found the Lampizator both had impeccable hardware and power supplies on top of being customizable more than others.  The SQ difference among the elite servers is a negligible, so I made the decision on customization.

 It's also by far the best looking and comes in a secure flight case to ensure less potential shipping damage.  If you've read stereophile or shipped lots of good in the past, you'll realize that tons of things break in shipping and it's not always obvious. Companies that pay extra attention to shipping get my business more than others.
rbstehno
1,406 posts
 
IMO, the typical music servers that are talked about in this thread,  are based on old technology. IMO, if you have to connect something using a USB cable to an external dac, it’s old technology. The new technology involves using a “bridge”. I have been using the PS Audio DS with network bridge II and it sounds much better than the music servers I have had or auditioned for the last 12 years. Read the review of the DCS network bridge in Stereophile from last Nov. when I purchased the PS Audio piece, I was happy to sell my external music server and the AQ Diamond USB cable
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Call me an ignoramus if you like but I do have a little trouble understanding this.

Lets take Tidal and Deezer 16/44 red book quality streaming.
How does any higher end music server make this sound better than from my Bluesound Vault2?

I mean they cannot extract any more information than is there so is the reasoning that say the vault2 is not extracting all of the information bit perfect?

What am i missing in my comprehension?
And I am ONLY referring to streaming services that are currently available, discounting Tidal MQA for now.

I have been considering a change but having a hard time understanding what more I could get with streaming.

I presently send the data from the vault2 to my Lyngdorf2170 via digital coax
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