Added value of separate server?

Yes guys, if you have a Benchmark DAC, your system will defy all known audio reality. It is also imperative not to actually listen to new/different things before forming your opinions.

Dave

it is unlikely that it will improve the SQ given that you have an Ayre

you could try it, but I'd look elsewhere for any SQ improvements

Either the music file delivered by the server (laptop or whatever computer chip) device is bit perfect or it isnt.

If it isnt bit perfect then there is an incorrect software setting, additional processing or conversion being done, digital volume manipulation, a bug in the code or a hardware problem etc.

If what reaches the DAC is bit perfect then it should sound the same irrespective of where the digital file originated or there is a problem with the DAC (noise from laptop, jitter, ground loop, software bug, hardware failure etc. but for sure something is adversely affecting the DAC and the DAC has failed to do a proper job)

Blaming other equipmemt for a DAC failure to do a proper job is just making excuses for the DAC poor performance.

I’ve gone both routes.  Mac&DAC, Bluesound.
it come down to whether you would rather use a dedicated audio component—a server, with or without a DAC— or make a computer
work.  
  There are many theoretical reasons why a computer, with all of the other electronic tasks that it is required to perform, shouldn’t sound as good as a server.
  The truth, for me, is that both solutions can sound damn good.  It’s more work to make Computer Audio succeed.  I would rather pay a little extra for a dedicated audio component that does much of the work for me.  Bluesound isn’t that expensive, is reasonably simple if not perfect, sounds great, and can be used for whole house Audio.
In my main system it plugs into my DAC and sounds like any other digital source.
  The Aurender reviews are interesting.  Compare Serenius in Stereophile to Quint in TAS.  I tend to believe Serenius.  I don’t know why any company would release a $5K component that is so buggy that even high profile magazine reviewers, who deal with this stuff all the time, have to struggle with it.  For 5 grand the thing should work at near perfect levels, not be worse than a $300 laptop

I suppose a Bluesound Node 2 could send files to the Ayre QX-5 Twenty via ethernet, but would I need to move files from the iMac to the Node 2 disc?  And would I download files purchased from Acoustic Sounds directly to the Node 2?  Finally, could a Node 2 also send files to the Bryston SP3 in our surround setup, perhaps via ethernet?

db