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Music Server vs Computer?

Currently streaming music from a PC to a modded Airport Express that's connected to my pre. The Wyred4Sound music server looks really inviting. Appears to do everything my PC does. Ripping cds sounds like a breeze and storage capacity is great (1T or 2T). All I have to do is link it with a DAC. Are there any disadvantages, to include SQ, to using a music server vs using a PC/MAC? Seems to me that they both use HDs for storage, but that SQ with the MS might be better because streaming is eliminated.
rockyboy
lewinskih01
907 posts
 
I guess it depends mostly on how much time you are willing to spend experimenting. A PC gives you so much flexibility, both hardware and software. The music server is convenient and simplicity.

Check out computeraudiophile/music servers or jplay forum/computer audio forums for some ideas.
bgeofft-duplicate-0
174 posts
 
A real can of worms and opinions abound. You definitely should head over to computer audio nerd central at computeraudiophile dot com as previous poster mentioned.
rockyboy OP
335 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestion. Not familiar w/Computeraudiophile.com but will certainly see what those folks have to say.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
The problem with most servers is that they force you into using FLAC, they don't import .wav files etc.. Lack of flexibility. They are mostly compromised for SQ due to either poor ripping software, poor playback software or both.

There are some exceptions however:

The Antipodes server from New Zealand has none of these limitations and is the only server I have found that sounds identical playing FLAC and wav files.

The Bryston server is also excellent and has few limitations.

I have heard both or had them in my room at trade shows.

I personally use a tweaked Oct 2009 Mac Mini powered with a Hynes supply with Amarra playback software. This is world-class.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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