Which music server to buy?

Acurus, I haven't heard the Wadia 521. I think with the proper dac, you can equal (perhaps better) the sound of the X03 SE. Expensive, but sure that the D05 or D03 would get you there. Also have heard that the Berkley Dac is a must listen. My Benchmark is pretty good, but not near the Esoteric. I am tempted to upgrade the Benchmark, but just can't justify. When I want to be blown away, it's the Esoteric or vinyl.

Ok, what about the music vault? If I run out of that into a DAC, using USB converter to something like Wadia 521.....maybe that would get me there. I think the real bottleneck would be the interface between the server and DAC. If I Use squeeze, I will have to use something like the Duet and its digital output, if I use iTunes, I think I could run directly out of the server? Thoughts?

I am VERY happy with my Music Vault. Have had no problems at all with it, and when paired with my Modwright Transporter, the music it makes is simply gorgeous. My GNSC 861se went on the market shortly after the purchase.

Interesting Thread... I'm also wanting to upgrade in this area. I'm mostly into vinyl but have a few hundred CD's and also close to 100 albums as FLAC files. I'm currently using a Denon 2910 universal player.

I have been looking at several CD players like the Cambridge and Rega units but also thought that a music server may be better. I was looking at a self-contained unit like the Escient Fireball MX-111, and just storing the music on the internal hard drive. Single room into 1 system.

How does this type of server compare to what you are doing?

Thanks,
Paul

My guess is that when you get into the Escient, Request, Kalediscape stuff it is more you are buying the software that these companies sell. Which limits you to what you can do. Thats why I am considering either building my own or getting a music vault that will run the Squeeze software or iTunes, both which offer excellent interfaces, multiple room capability and commonality.

Other than that, I can't see any real reason to get a prepared box with proprietary software as it will pidgeon-hole you.