Media Server and DAC suggestions

[benmoree]

Does anyone have any recommendations for any all in one server/DAC combos? I've been looking at the Aurender A10 as a possible option but wanted to know if there is anything else similar out there. I've just started to do my research into these products so any advice to help speed this up would be great.

I'm also considering going the separates route with Macintosh D1100 and another device. What would I be giving up to go the all in one route?

[nicoff]

You might want to check out other current threads with similar request/topics.

[crwilli]

This forum normally is quick to help members but in this case, I think your question is so broad, nobody can answer you without doing lots of work for you.

As Nicoff suggests, you should consider searching through a number of threads here on digital audio, streaming music and the equipment involved. With a little effort, you should be able to narrow down the scope of your question and get far more responses.

[W9TR]

There are a lot of threads on servers that cover the topic well.

But there are two decision points you have to make.

1. Combined DAC and server, or separate pieces?
DAC technology is still rapidly evolving and performance that once took 4 figure prices to obtain can now be had for three figures. This trend will continue. So my vote is for separates.

2. Closed source or open source server?

Closed source servers are computer systems that are customized by a manufacturer to perform a specific function. You are then beholden to that manufacturer for as long as you own that piece of equipment. Ask Olive and McIntosh MS 750/300 owners how that is working out for them.

Open source servers are based on PC computing platforms running 3rd party SW. Apple and Wintel hardware are most common, running Roon or JRiver. There are Linux versions out there as well.
The Silenzio by E is a great example of an open sourced and well supported server.

Once you've pondered these two questions you'll be well prepared to dive into the nuances of the solution you choose.

Happy hunting!

Tom

[clpetersen]

Originally Posted by W9TR

... You are then beholden to that manufacturer for as long as you own that piece of equipment. Ask Olive and McIntosh MS 750/300 owners how that is working out for them. ...."




Tom

Agree with this, as a former Olive owner. Olive attracted me due to its all in one concept in 2009. Unfortunately did not work out that well as Olive had a closed, quirky, and ultimately inferior, ecosystem.

Here are the takeaways, learned the hard way:

1. Be certain, whichever approach you take, that your library is 'portable' - meaning that it uses standard, open source (examples include FLAC or ALAC), encoding and tagging.
2. If a closed system, be sure to test the software. Make sure you like everything about it; don't assume it will get better.

[benmoree]

Originally Posted by W9TR

There are a lot of threads on servers that cover the topic well.

But there are two decision points you have to make.

1. Combined DAC and server, or separate pieces?
DAC technology is still rapidly evolving and performance that once took 4 figure prices to obtain can now be had for three figures. This trend will continue. So my vote is for separates.

2. Closed source or open source server?

Closed source servers are computer systems that are customized by a manufacturer to perform a specific function. You are then beholden to that manufacturer for as long as you own that piece of equipment. Ask Olive and McIntosh MS 750/300 owners how that is working out for them.

Open source servers are based on PC computing platforms running 3rd party SW. Apple and Wintel hardware are most common, running Roon or JRiver. There are Linux versions out there as well.
The Silenzio by E is a great example of an open sourced and well supported server.

Once you've pondered these two questions you'll be well prepared to dive into the nuances of the solution you choose.

Happy hunting!

Tom

Thanks for the response, this is the type of info I was looking for. I’ve been looking around at the various threads here and there is a definitely a lot of info available however sometimes it is a bit overwhelming.

I have seen the issues with Olive and the McIntosh servers, which is what is giving me concern with some of the other proprietary systems out there. However I have read a lot of good things about some of these systems so that is also intriguing.

As for the open sources solutions, I haven’t explored them that much yet but I’ll have to check out some of those as well, especially the Silenzio by E.

[crwilli]

To the open versus closed system, I decided early on to stay PC based and thus an open system. This gives the option to use different ripping, library management and media player software and thus lots of choices.

If you are tech savvy, you can build your own PC or one of the newer NUC PCs and create your own open system media servers.

To make it simpler, I chose a Silenzio and have followed the advice of Emile ever since. I can use it to rip CDs - initially using EAC but eventually settling on dBPowerAmp on another PC. (just a little easier and it has a batch function so you can rip multiple CDs at the same time if you have multiple disc drives). Emile sets up the Silenzio to your needs and configures it to sound great! I have used it for three years. In that time, I moved from JRiver Media Center as the library manager/media player to ROON. I have used it with DACs from the McIntosh D100 to an Esoteric K03 and now the K03x. Killer media system!

I do have some experience with a Sony HAP Z1se having set up a few for my buddy who lives overseas and his sister. Once the files (music) is loaded onto it, it could not be simpler to use. It’s closed system media management and player software are quite good. It has some nice features I have enjoyed during my time with them. It sounds very good with its internal DAC but can also be used with an external DAC so it gives some flexibility there for future upgrades. The only downside is the time and effort it takes to load music onto its internal hard drive. When you copy files to it, the Sony puts them into a proprietary file structure. That slows down the copying process to a crawl. It took me a week and a half to load his music onto his Sony. Many starts and stops, and incomplete transfers etc. causing much wasted time. But even when it works smoothly, it is very slow. While you can attach an external hard drive to the Sony, it must be reformatted to work and takes just as long to load music onto as the internal drive. But overall it is simple to use and sounds great once you go through the loading process.

Many here love their Aurender’s of which there are a few models. Some with internal DACS, some without. The media software is reported to work very well and most seem very pleased with it. I believe, with most Aurenders, you can use an external DAC as well. You can read through some of their posts as well.

There are also servers that allow you to use ROON but which are PCs using proprietary operating systems. They should run like the Silenzio using ROON and may or may not sound better. Silenzio uses Windows 7 or 10 depending on the version. I use Win 7.

[benmoree]

I’m currently using my MacBook and xACT to rip cds to FLAC. The flac files then get transfer to a NAS which is accessed via my Sonos. I’m tech savvy enough where building an open source system would be possible, however I haven’t used a PC/Windows in over 10 years so it might take me a bit to get things figured out again.

Ideally the server would be controlled through an iPad app interface without the need for an attached monitor. I assume JRiver/Roon are compatible but I willl need to explore.

In the meantime I’m going to check out the Silenzio as well as schedule a visit with my local Aurender dealer.

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by benmoree

...

Ideally the server would be controlled through an iPad app interface without the need for an attached monitor. I assume JRiver/Roon are compatible but I willl need to explore.

In the meantime I’m going to check out the Silenzio as well as schedule a visit with my local Aurender dealer.

If you use a PC/MAC, you can use a program such as VNC to ‘see’ and control your desktop with a phone, IPAD etc connected on the same network. That is how I and I assume, most control their SilenZios after the initial setup.

By the way, my music library is also on a Synology NAS and accessed via WIFI by ROON running on my SilenZio. Many swear that Ethernet sounds better but I can’t hear it.

Good luck!

[Weirdcuba]

Ethernet is materially better in my system with the silenzio > NAS > Roon. Basic decision is open vs closed as Craig stated. I went open and love it - better bang for the buck for what I was looking for, but it’s all gotten pretty slick, so there’s not a lot of computer engineering (Any really) whichever direction you go in. Folks love their aurenders, Bryston, antipodes, and many more.