Music server for a newbie

Some suggestions to check out for single box solution that rips, stores and plays (I, like you, have no interest in building or messing with computers):

Musica Pristina
Music Vault
Baetis
Antipodes

No need to understand computers, no need for a separate NAS or ripper, great setup support and ongoing technical support. All have multiple versions/options within, and most much cheaper than, your budget.

Let us know how you progress and what you find out along the way.

Jeffkad

I'm kinda puzzled so far since I no nothing about computers and when contacting some of the brands you metioned, everyone tells you that his solution is the best, the most easy to handle and the most flexible etc.
I thought I will wait for some kind of a shootout between the main brands from an unbiased knowledgable guy but since this area changes rapidly and every day there's a new solution, I think the wait is worthless. My gut feeling tells me that the main differences between those names are not in the "audio" side per se but in the "computer" side meaning - ease of use and upgradability. Any input anyone ?

I wouldn't in anyway claim to be all knowledgeable about music servers. I like the general concept but when I investigated them within the past two years what I saw and read within my budget means simply fell short of my needs and interest.

I am the most average of computer users but I was able, with help from several people on several sites, to get a really efficient and good sounding system using a Mac Mini and peripheral software.

I think you have to be sure you know what you want a system to do for you before making any decisions on equipment. Some of the things I wanted were:

1. I wanted to be able to create, update and maintain a music library. You have to rip CDs, download files, update metadata, add artwork.
2. Of course you want high quality audio playback and flexibility in the ability to integrate the system with your audio system.
3. A user interface was important to me. I am no longer satisfied with the simple play tools of a CD like playback experience. I want a graphic user interface that is well thought out and very functional. I want the ability to display artwork and other information on the music being played possibly on an HDTV but as a minimum on an iPad.

There are many other things that can go into the design and implementation of a music server but to me if any of the components of making it a fully functional device are dependent on another device (a computer) to perform any essential function then it's not a complete product.

I bought a good used PC laptop for $300, stripped it down to just Windows 7 and Chrome, bought jRiver for $50, ripped to flac, set it to play from memory and feed a Wireworld USB cable without using Windows Media Player or Mixer, and go into a Benchmark USB DAC. Amazing what jRiver can do with different media sources, and it sounds much better, to me, than my old Wadia 3200 player going to the Benchmark over 75 ohms. So long CD's.

I prefer separates to minimize the cost of technology obsolesence. To me that means the ideal setup is
1. PC for ripping
2. NAS for storage
3. Streamer for playback, control and digital out
4. DAC

A PC is the last device I want to use for 1-3 combined.. its not hardware built to a dedicated purpose.