Nottop...I was in the same situation that you are now. Almost verbatim with what you posted. I did a lot of research and found that the computer servers were way more than I had the knowledge of or tolerance for. Sorry computer guys. Many of you tried to convince me that it really wasn't that difficult, but the more I read and the more advice I got, the more complex it seemed.
So...
...I bought an Olive 04HD and couldn't be happier. It's a GAS to use. Easy to rip CDs to and is very easy to use and setup. It is also pretty easy to get hi-rez files from HDTracks in to it. The editing software (Maestro) is simple and staightforward to use.
Most of all it sounds KILLER.
I fought even getting into the "server" type hardware for quite awhile. I was a "physical media", (i.e. actual CDs and records) kind of guy. I still am, but boy am I LOVING the Olive.
One of the best investments I've ever made in audio.
So...
...I bought an Olive 04HD and couldn't be happier. It's a GAS to use. Easy to rip CDs to and is very easy to use and setup. It is also pretty easy to get hi-rez files from HDTracks in to it. The editing software (Maestro) is simple and staightforward to use.
Most of all it sounds KILLER.
I fought even getting into the "server" type hardware for quite awhile. I was a "physical media", (i.e. actual CDs and records) kind of guy. I still am, but boy am I LOVING the Olive.
One of the best investments I've ever made in audio.