I have been doing some research into this as well.
There is the bluesound node 2i which uses an app for control and can access network or USB drive audio. it’s $500. They make a more complete version called the Vault 2i that adds a 2TB internal drive and a drive transport to rip CDs directly. It’s $1200. No screens though.
Sony also makes 2 server models, the HAP series. one has a 500GB drive, and the other a 1TB...but both do have screens and physical controls to choose your music. The smaller unit is $1000. The larger is $2000.
There is a company called smallgreencomputer that makes standalone streamers and servers with or without CD transport. their sonictransporter i5 is rack mountable and about $1300. It uses roon i believe, so again. no screen.
Melco makes a unit with a screen, but it’s about $1700. Good reviews though.
Of everything I’ve seen that isn’t $10,000...I think I’m drawn to the aurender N100. it has a screen and big chunky buttons (I’m a fan) but is about $2600 which is twice what I think something like that should cost.
Take a half-decent transport. Add an SSD. Add an monochrome screen and a few clicky nav buttons....sell it for $750 and rule the entire segment. Considering you can buy a cheap laptop for $400...is it really such a challenge? Like the old National Enquirer ads used to say, “Inquiring minds want to know...”
There is the bluesound node 2i which uses an app for control and can access network or USB drive audio. it’s $500. They make a more complete version called the Vault 2i that adds a 2TB internal drive and a drive transport to rip CDs directly. It’s $1200. No screens though.
Sony also makes 2 server models, the HAP series. one has a 500GB drive, and the other a 1TB...but both do have screens and physical controls to choose your music. The smaller unit is $1000. The larger is $2000.
There is a company called smallgreencomputer that makes standalone streamers and servers with or without CD transport. their sonictransporter i5 is rack mountable and about $1300. It uses roon i believe, so again. no screen.
Melco makes a unit with a screen, but it’s about $1700. Good reviews though.
Of everything I’ve seen that isn’t $10,000...I think I’m drawn to the aurender N100. it has a screen and big chunky buttons (I’m a fan) but is about $2600 which is twice what I think something like that should cost.
Take a half-decent transport. Add an SSD. Add an monochrome screen and a few clicky nav buttons....sell it for $750 and rule the entire segment. Considering you can buy a cheap laptop for $400...is it really such a challenge? Like the old National Enquirer ads used to say, “Inquiring minds want to know...”