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Best standalone music server?

So I am considering dipping my toes into the full digital world and was wondering what people here may consider as the best standalone music server, and here I am going to be specific.
I do not want to consider a home pc or mac based type of system at all!
Looking at adding one of the standalone models like for example the Wyred4sound ms1 or cocktail audio.
High on my list is ability to rip my cds directly at the unit itself, access to internet radio and other music apps (Pandora etc). High quality built in dac would be nice but if not then high quality digital out to run to an external dac. I will not be needing to access music files stored on another pc as my home pc is pretty old but fully functional for my simple needs. The only music looking to access from it right now are ripped cds and internet available music in whatever form.
So if it worked out well, yes it may be a replacement even for a cd player completely

Thank you
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xuberwaltz
juke4u's avatar
juke4u
40 posts
 
Uninteresting that the Vault sounds the best. I would have guessed the Esoteric would be on top but it could also be the DAC making a difference. Is the Mac a tube DAC?  Have you ever compared vinyl or is that a bad word, when we have obvious peolple posting, that are probably digital only. I have all my old LP's and all are in mint condition and also have many CD's that have newer artist not available on vinyl.

I saw "hickbones" earlier post about the Aurender where you auditioned both players and got the N10. At this point I do not have a DAC, Streamer, or CD player. I can play a CD but with a Sony blue ray player.(yes a $49 dvd player) I have read as much as possible about streamers and the Aurender and Lumins seem to be the best. Uberwaltz's experience with the Vault has got me thinking in a hole new direction. If it sounds better than the high dollar CD players that's amazing. Maybe they will come out with a new Vault with Balanced outputs.


uberwaltz's avatar
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uberwaltz OP
4,946 posts
 
The Mac is the c-48 which is digital and solid state, no tubes
i really do not think you can compare vinyl, it is just so different, guess the word "warmth" may be a little cliched but thats my best summation.
I have a Funk Firm Vector with Grado Gold cart and play it through the macs phono input and it really is just so sweet, I usually end up playing an evening of vinyl once I start...lol.
The Vault for me just does everything i wanted although I am sure higher end with higher price tags may do it better for sure.
But to end up sounding better than my esoteric?
That was quite an achievement 
mountainsong's avatar
mountainsong
353 posts
 
Aurender best to date.
mahler123
633 posts
 
@juke4u. I, for one, am not interested in having a vinyl vs digital debate.  There are plenty of other places to go looking for that discussion.  I have decided that digital is it for me and ain't lookin back.  You may notice that this folder is labeled "digital " and you may perhaps infer what people's preferences tend towards based on that folder name...
mahler123
633 posts
 
@randyhat 
I agree with your last thought.  I love my Vault2 but in your case for the same expenditure you can get a pretty good CDP that will have digital inputs.  You will enjoy your CD collection and every other digital source more.  

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