American Made Music Servers

**Dizzie** · December 9, 2021, 02:20 PM

Are there any good music servers made in the USA? I am looking for something that stores music files. An onboard DAC is optional. If I can find a good server, both of my systems will be completely red, white, and blue.

Smart asses please refrain from reminding me some internal parts are imported.

Thanks for any help.

**Mike** · December 9, 2021, 02:39 PM

With optional onboard DAC and something that isn’t more than one step removed from DIY, I can’t think of any.

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**Phil A** · December 9, 2021, 02:54 PM

If you're looking for a small fanless PC that can run various software then Hollis Audio Labs makes an MS-6 (I think they have a DAC too - located in Maryland) - Log into Facebook

There is also - Home - Wolf Audio Systems and I'm sure there are others

**Puma Cat** · December 9, 2021, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

Are there any good music servers made in the USA? I am looking for something that stores music files. An onboard DAC is optional. If I can find a good server, both of my systems will be completely red, white, and blue.

Smart asses please refrain from reminding me some internal parts are imported.

Thanks for any help.

Sure. Small Green Computer made a nice range, which are affordable.

Their SonicTransporter i5 starts at $999. They're plug and play. And, you can connect an external HD to them, you don't need to also purchase in an internal SSD. They look to be more nicely made than the Hollis Audio Lab ones, which look to me like a generic NUC-based server.

sonicTransporter i5 (Gen 3) – Small Green Computer

**Dizzie** · December 9, 2021, 03:26 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I will check out them out. Clarification on the optional DAC. I meant I don't need one but would consider it if available. The builders do not need to offer one as an option.

**Puma Cat** · December 9, 2021, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

Thanks for the suggestions. I will check out them out. Clarification on the optional DAC. I meant I don't need one but would consider it if available. The builders do not need to offer one as an option.

If you want to go optical from your music server to your DAC, consider the Sonore OpticalRendu. Also about a grand. It's designed by John Swenson, who designed the UltraRendu and the UpTone Audio EtherREGEN. Really knows his stuff.

You could go SonicTransporter via its SFP optical cage -> optical fiber cable-> OpticalRendu-> USB cable-> DAC.

Ideally, your music server is located well away from the main audio rack. And power it with a good LPS.

**Mr Peabody** · December 9, 2021, 03:53 PM

I thought WS had a server with HD but I'm not sure if it streams from music services.

I can't rmember the name but the guy who was behind Sceania speakers makes one, a friend has one, it looks to be more of a computer conversion type thing. Maybe someone can help me out here.

**brad225** · December 9, 2021, 09:08 PM

I have been using a SonicTransporter I9 for a couple of years. It feeds an UltraRendu. As Puma said it is plug and play.

**Scotty** · December 9, 2021, 09:46 PM

I have (2) Mojo Audio Deja Vu EVO servers, made by Benjamin Zwickel in Albuqurque, which I use for ripped .flac and .mkv files. Beautiful, organic, rich audio quality and great customer service and communication.

**Ritmo** · December 10, 2021, 12:01 AM

Wolf Audio Systems out of Jacksonville, FL.

**Mike** · December 10, 2021, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by brad225

I have been using a SonicTransporter I9 for a couple of years. It feeds an UltraRendu. As Puma said it is plug and play.

Ah yes, they are here in Florida too. Do they have a DAC module?

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**Bart001** · December 10, 2021, 09:15 AM

There might be a long list of dac's made in the USA but I think Berkeley Audio is one.

**brad225** · December 10, 2021, 10:33 AM

I don't believe the have a DAC, Mike.

I didn't realize they had a connection in Florida.

Originally Posted by Mike

Ah yes, they are here in Florida too. Do they have a DAC module?

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**Randy Myers** · December 10, 2021, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Wolf Audio Systems out of Jacksonville, FL.

I was just thinking Wolf!

Honestly, McIntosh offers DACs and music servers. Wyred 4 Sound also does (much of theirs comes from SGC though), but Wolf maybe a better server.

**Dizzie** · December 10, 2021, 03:16 PM

Thank you all for your responses. I remain frustrated. My two systems contain equipment from top-tier American manufacturers that are internationally recognized for their quality and performance. I was hoping for the same for a music server. I don't understand why there aren't any considering their popularity which I suspect is growing.

I have no enthusiasm for basically one-man companies that could collapse after an accident or for health reasons. I have owned orphaned equipment in the past. Some of it from big names of their era. So even well respected products from small companies are subject to disappearing.

I expect many years of service from and support for my current equipment. I want the same for a server. So at this point I am going to hold off on my purchase as long as possible.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

**Mike** · December 10, 2021, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

Thank you all for your responses. I remain frustrated. My two systems contain equipment from top-tier American manufacturers that are internationally recognized for their quality and performance. I was hoping for the same for a music server. I don't understand why there aren't any considering their popularity which I suspect is growing.

I have no enthusiasm for basically one-man companies that could collapse after an accident or for health reasons. I have owned orphaned equipment in the past. Some of it from big names of their era. So even well respected products from small companies are subject to disappearing.

I expect many years of service from and support for my current equipment. I want the same for a server. So at this point I am going to hold off on my purchase as long as possible.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

I know the team at Aurender and I can’t say enough good things.

Lumin, as we all know, also has great folks behind the product, but they are more all in one streamer focused whereas Aurender is more network transport focused. Different specialties.

For all in one, you also have Esoteric out of Japan, with the KILLA’ N-01XD and N-05XD.

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**Hear Here** · December 10, 2021, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

Are there any good music servers made in the USA? .

Out of curisity - why American? Are they better (or better value) than European, or Far Eastern? Or is it a matter of jobs for Americans?

**Randy Myers** · December 10, 2021, 03:59 PM

Some people prefer to buy items from their home country, some people prefer European brand, etc.

One factor of course would be easier service and support from your home country. For example I have called McIntosh on more than one occasion and can talk with someone, getting their input, help, etc. I know if I try to call T+A, for example, beside time zone, there will also be language challenges, among other possible issues. I also dread if I ever have to send a piece back to Germany for service and/or updates. These are some factors that come to mind, I am sure others such as supporting your home come into play.

I will give you one example that my wife and I are dealing with right now. She decided that she wanted to replace our kitchen appliances. She ordered top of the line type products from a German manufacture. This was last April/May. Some of the pieces were finally installed a couple weeks ago but her new oven might possibly arrive in February. The dealer said American brands would have been installed months ago but there are definitely issues getting products from over seas now.

**Hear Here** · December 10, 2021, 04:29 PM

Your first point I accept, but provided the manufacturer is reputable and therefore uses a replutable local distriutor, the matters of time zones, language and return to manufacturer really don't apply. I live in the UK, but I'm happy buying US made, or European, or local distributer-supported Chinese or Jaanese made stuff. I have NAD - Chinese built by Canadian company with excellent UK support. No problem whatseover and excellent online customer service from Canada or repairs by returning to any Sevenoaks store - never more than about 30 miles away from a UK address. Similarly, no problem with my German made speakers, or earlier Mark Levinson, Martin Logan (US) or numerous pieces from European makers. I used to buy British when our equipment as the world's best but most have sadly been sold off to other countries. My Quad speakers (now Chinese owned) were serviced by Quad UK and I've never had any problems getting foreign branded equipment repaired or serviced in the UK. One exception - my Red Wine amp had to be returned to the US by the UK distributor, but at no cost or inconvenience to me.

What about cars? US made only? Rules out BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Honda, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, Toyota, Porsche, Volvo!

**Randy Myers** · December 10, 2021, 05:02 PM

I personally like many European brands however service is not as easy in many situations. T+A is a good example.

There are pros and cons, however I can see why many people prefer to deal with their home country products.

I don't feel like debating. I was just giving my observation

.

**Puma Cat** · December 10, 2021, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I know the team at Aurender and I can’t say enough good things.

Lumin, as we all know, also has great folks behind the product, but they are more all in one streamer focused whereas Aurender is more network transport focused. Different specialties.

For all in one, you also have Esoteric out of Japan, with the KILLA’ N-01XD and N-05XD.

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Excellent post, Mike.

**Mr Peabody** · December 12, 2021, 09:50 PM

Look at Cary Audio

**dminches** · December 13, 2021, 02:06 PM

Channel Islands Audio now makes a music server. I have never used it.

**Dizzie** · December 13, 2021, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by dminches

Channel Islands Audio now makes a music server. I have never used it.

I really wanted a major player. Why I don't want to consider small builders:

This is sad because I know the company has a lot of loyal customers and fans. I saw this information on another forum and I paraphrase here:

Channel Islands Audio is closing January 1, 2022. It is ending production and retiring the brand. There will be warranty and non-warranty service and some products to sell from remaining inventory.

**dminches** · December 13, 2021, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

I really wanted a major player. Why I don't want to consider small builders:

This is sad because I know the company has a lot of loyal customers and fans. I saw this information on another forum and I paraphrase here:

Channel Islands Audio is closing January 1, 2022. It is ending production and retiring the brand. There will be warranty and non-warranty service and some products to sell from remaining inventory.

I did not know Dusty was closing his doors. I just saw his post about it. I would definitely not purchase from a place that was going out of business even though Dusty has always been great about repairs and support.

**Alkyogre** · December 13, 2021, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

I personally like many European brands however service is not as easy in many situations. T+A is a good example.

There are pros and cons, however I can see why many people prefer to deal with their home country products.

I don't feel like debating. I was just giving my observation

.

For me it is a real issue to order online in the US. First problem is that the Voltage and power frequency are not the same. So I need US products that are made for the European market.

Secondly I dislike the idea that expensive stuff is shipped abroad. If something is going wrong there are not many options then send a complain to the credit card company. But what if there is going something wrong, the stuff isn’t working anymore, the sound doesn’t do what is expected etcetera?

Third: I live in a small country, lots of different brands I buy things from what is for sale here, including Americans like my very great Sonore streamer, but an important precondition is that the (web) shop is located here so I get a better guarantee service.

Finally, if you know the rules, the consumer protection in the EU is very good. Without reason I may send items back if they are undamaged and you will get a refund.

There are a lot of reasons, to not buy over the world, but at local shops, but from there I don’t care where it is manufactured, it is all about getting the right stuff for my audioset.

**Mr Peabody** · December 13, 2021, 06:33 PM

I'm sorry to see CIA close.

Cary's DMS 550 might fit the bill.

**Mr Peabody** · December 13, 2021, 06:37 PM

One more Mark Levinson 5101

**W9TR** · December 14, 2021, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

I really wanted a major player. Why I don't want to consider small builders:

This is sad because I know the company has a lot of loyal customers and fans. I saw this information on another forum and I paraphrase here:

Channel Islands Audio is closing January 1, 2022. It is ending production and retiring the brand. There will be warranty and non-warranty service and some products to sell from remaining inventory.

I am 100% with you. I’ll pass on interesting products from what are primarily single proprietorship audio companies led by ‘rock stars’, many of whom seem to have a cult following. Just too risky for me.

Also, distributor support, as good as it can be, is just not the same as manufacturer in-country support.

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