Chris, IMO a music server provides a segway into PC-based audio for those who don't have the time, knowledge, or just plain don't want to deal with setting up a PC-based system. So, you obviously pay a premium for the convenience, but IMO lose flexibility. You're stuck with their software and sometimes limited to their disk size. But that may be OK. Also, you would need to check to see if the music server changes the bits in any way during rip or playback.
You already have a great DAC. Adding a PC instead of a music server will give you the flexibility to add any kind of new storage, change software, play from RAM if you want, etc.; but if you're not interested in any of that then a music server could work out. It's a judgement call.
You already have a great DAC. Adding a PC instead of a music server will give you the flexibility to add any kind of new storage, change software, play from RAM if you want, etc.; but if you're not interested in any of that then a music server could work out. It's a judgement call.