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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
uberwaltz
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
4,946 posts
 
Well 18 months in and still have no desire to replace the Vault whatsoever.
In fact some of the latest updates by Bluesound which all happen over the internet without me having to do anything bar click "yes", have increased its usefulness even more.
For example when I first bought it the usb port out back was purely for connecting an external drive to copy a backup of its internal drive to nothing more, it would NOT read music from an external usb drive at all.
Now it does and the flexibility when connected to my home network and this usb drive read facility is worth every dollar of its $1000 purchase.
Add that to the ability to stream Tidal, Deezer, Quboz, Spotify, Radio Paradise etc. All at up to 24/192 into my Mytek Brooklyn dac letting it handle the full MQA unfolding.
Oh and it contains my complete library of cds.

One happy camper here for such a minimal outlay of dollars.

Long may it reign in my system! 
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,104 posts
 
I got the MP two days ago.  I waited for a long time as they designed and built a brand new DAC for it.  It's a tubed DAC.  All the music on it is 24/192 or 32/384 that was directly off the master tapes.  HOLY COW.  it's not even burned in yet.....or even close.  They have a few settings with different jitter rates. Some may like more jitter as that's why they are used to, but without knowing which slot he was using, it was only one for me adn that's the lowest jitter and all the goodies (the most stealth mode).  It's already better than any server I've had in the house and that includes the top Vault that a friend brought over as well as the N10 or W20.  

Sorry for not posting much, but I've been so busy.  I"ll try to keep you all up as it burns in.  I want over 500 hours on it before I talk too much about it.  
shkong78's avatar
shkong78
515 posts
 
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis96ade-cocktail-audio-x30-music-server-streamer-dac-amp-new-in-b...

Cocktail X30 is on sale at 750$ including shipping.

It is hard to beat the value.

I had used X12 for 4 years with no problem at all.
willgolf
156 posts
 
I echo ctsooner about the Memory Player.  The music sonically speaking is a step above anything I have ever heard.  That said, I am moving in a different direction hopefully with the Lumin X1.  My Memory Player is for sale on US Audio and will soon be listed on Audiogon for a great price.  
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,104 posts
 
It's starting to burn in and it's getting better.  The built in DAC (brand new design and first one they have made) is much better than I expected.  The DAC alone may end up being one of the top couple that I"ve ever heard (I've heard nearly all the uber high end DAC's on the market in the US).

I'm playing mostly WAV and all 24/192 and 32/384 music.  It's not even where it's going to be as it's so new and needs a lot of burn in.  This thing is sick good though.  Blows away the Aurender N10 that I've had in the house in the past. 
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