Best solution to send digital files to my DAC


Hi All,
I’m a novice when it comes to digital audio, so:
I have a very good DAC feeding into a good preamp. I have many digitized CDs and hi-rez files stored on my computer, but I would rather transfer them to a better audio device.  What is the best device(s) on which to store all my digital music and send it to my DAC. I don’t care about connectivity with any other devices; I just want to know what’s the best thing to use. Is it a streamer? A server? What’s the difference? What is the simplest way to get the best possible quality from a storage device to my DAC?
Thanks in advance.
Rustler
Ag insider logo xs@2xrustler
Check out Bluesound Node 2i or Vault 2i if you need to rip cds to its internal drive.  
You want a network streamer. Tons of these nowadays at different price points. The best one might be something like the Innuos Zen MK3
+1 on the Innuos Zen MK3.

For about 15 years, I used a Netgear ReadyNAS and Logitech Media Server for playing music files and streaming.  That solution worked well for me.  A couple of years ago, I migrated to a Synology NAS and stayed with LMS.  That solution worked even better.  

This year, I moved to Roon and haven’t looked back.  I now use an Innuos Zenith MKII CD ripper/network media server connected to a Mytek Liberty DAC.  SQ is great.  It’s a bit pricey.

I’ve never heard a Node 2, but there are a lot of folks on agon that give it very high marks.  


If you look at any music server, they are just a personal computer with usually a Linux OS of some type. I have been down that route. Most music servers use the inferior USB connection. Another thing you don’t want to do is have a music server with disks attached in your audio room. 1 more thing, the app that you use to play your music is very important too.
When you consider all of this, why would you buy a music server?
I use my iMac in a different room running Roon server, connected to my ps audio DS dac using Ethernet. I have used Auralic’s DS Lightning software and Lumins and they are very good, but still no match for Roon. The Mac allows me to use a raid disk setup for more fault tolerance, plus my data is backed up regularly, easily recoverable, and many local companies can fix the Mac if I can’t. What other music server can state that? 
Rbstenho

if you read my post above, you might see why a NAS is the choice for some people.  Some of us live with significant others who may have other uses for a server, or may wish to access the server from different locations.