"tutorial" on computer music servers

If you are a bit computer savvy, then you could go the Oct 2009 Mac Mini route:

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/recommended-systems

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/

If you want it simpler, then I recommend that latest version of the Antipodes server:

http://www.antipodesaudio.com/antipodes_music_servers.html

If you are on a budget and want to keep it simple, then try a Sonos connected to a Synchro-Mesh driving any DAC. The Sonos can be controlled from a computer, iPad or iPhone etc..

http://www.sonos.com

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/products/synchro-mesh

All of these will deliver stellar sound quality.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

I don't have a specific recommendation for you but have something to think about.

Sony wants to start selling high res downloads (DSD). According to Sony they are very serious about this and the other two major music groups, Universal and Warner, are also on board and plan to make a lot of music available as high res downloads.

This is great news but high res downloads take up a lot of hard drive space. If this all works out, it would be wise to have a server that you can easily attach more storage to (external hard drives or NAS) without diminishing sound quality.

Yes, that's the same Sony that brought us the SACD and then took it away. But I think they feel that if they can't get people interested in good sound quality music soon, they are going to be sitting on huge catalogues of music they can't use for the forseeable future. We'll see how it all works out. Just something to think about as you decide what to purchase.

However, if you are happy with the cd, and I enjoy many of them a great deal myself, you should be able to find more music than you can find time to listen to by buying used cds on ebay and Amazon at very good prices.