Seeking Opinions on Specific Servers/Streamers

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ptman

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Feb 26, 2015
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St. Louis, MO
I'm considering options for introducing computer audio into my 2 channel system, and am seeking opinions/experience around specific devices under consideration. It's difficult for me to audition all items, and I appreciate my fellow AudioSharks' thoughts. I've researched the forum for feedback, but haven't seen anything that may allow comparisons of these item combos within the same post.

Will be largely focused on 16/44.1 PCM (I have ~2,000 CDs already burned to FLAC that I am playing via an aged Escient server in the family room), and will want to introduce hi-rez formats (PCM and DSD) over time. I'm intrigued by Roon, but can work within other playback formats as long as they have nice user interface and options for exploring music.

My system is in the signature line below...solid state...and I'd like options for both USB and AES as outputs from the streamer/server.

Here's what is under consideration, listed alphabetically. All fall within the same general price points:

- Antipodes DX
- Aurender N10
- Laufer Teknik Memory Player 64
- Lumin U10 with L1 Library
- SOTM sMS-1000SQ Windows Edition with upgraded clock and power supply

Certainly welcome other recommendations of equivalent caliber!

Thanks!
 
I neglected to add the Escient to my "Home Theater" line, which is the "Family Room" mentioned in my original post.
 
Rank order of the dedicated music servers I have tried out in my system

1. Lumin S1 and U1
2. Aurender N10 & W20
3. Auralic Aries controlling a Certon 4T NAS with separate power supply

I have not tried the others on your list. My ranking considers sound quality and user interface. I have extensive experience with an upgraded Mac Mini by Uptone audio with separate pwr supply and fanless kit. It is still in my rack. But my go to dedicated server is Lumin U1 for my Austin residence.

Mike is an authority here on the Lumin units.
 
Aurender N10 if you want internal storage and/or use with a NAS. Aurender also has a jump start on Lumin in terms of DAC comparability. Some older odd ball DAC's need special drivers and these drivers can be put into the firmware, but it takes time. Aurender has been doing this a long while.

Lumin U1 if you prefer (for whatever reason) and external PSU and you use NAS/Lumin L1.

The key to the Aurender and Lumin is that their apps are very very very good. Polished and perfect IMO. That's huge when you've seen some of the other buggy apps out there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Honestly I prefer to build my own computer... after all, isn't a music server essentially a computer (usually not with the top parts).
 
still-one said:
Yeah, but connecting a computer to an audio system is akin to dangling fuzzy dice from a Ferrari's mirror.
Click to expand...

So if I understand what you are saying, building your own computer is not "sexy" enough for a high dollar audio system. In other words it is better to pay 10x-15x the price to get in essence the same, or in many cases, lower level equipment, because an audio company put their name on it. Maybe put it in a fancy case.

Most music servers (with some exceptions) are computers using lower grade parts in snazzy cases for those who are afraid of building their own or need the fancy name on it....
 
Properly built dedicated music servers use low noise power supplies and audio grade USB ports as well as other audio specific parts. Buying a high grade PC which may have great specs like most gaming systems are not optimized for audio use so that their performance when used in such applications is basically a shot in the dark. It may work well or not, but you can't really tell by a basic PC's specs. I agree that some 'music servers' are significantly overpriced, but if you search you can find audio optimized servers at reasonable prices.
 
If you concentrate on correct parts, such as Gold Standard power supplies.... it is not just the specs, just like a 100 w amp is not the same as a high quality 25 w amp... same idea, quality parts and in a computer it is the same thing. For example the mother board in my computer is the exact same one used in many of the specialized servers.... I have better CPU, more and better grade RAM, high grade SSD, Gold Standard power supply, close loop liquid cooler which will out perform anything used in most any music server, all aluminum case (as many servers use), mounted on solid granite base for stability which none of the servers use... etc...

My point being, a computer can be built that does as good or better... but maybe does not have the sexy name :D....
 
The software makes a difference too. I've heard, supposedly some of the better servers, in my system at the same time, same music, same dac, in comparison to my computer. They didn't impress me enough to buy them, in fact, everyone in the room were really surprised at just how close it was. Personally, I think if you've got the computer & software right, they are toe to toe.
 
In my case I did build my server with low electrical noise in mind. I have no moving parts, I use a very high end Linear Power Supply. The motherboard & cpu dissipates extremely low thermal heat. The playback is just Awesome! I have no desire to purchase a prebuilt dedicated music server or streamer. Also JRiver just kicks ass! :D
 
It's really not about "name" or "case". It's about using the appropriate tool for the job. An audio server is really a computer too, only one that was designed and built to do one thing, and one thing only. Generally, any such kind of product performs better than one that was designed and built to do many different things (such as a computer).

Sure, you can build your PC with better parts, you can tweak Windows to do less things, but in the end, it's a general purpose computer being used for a single purpose task. And, in general, you're always better off with a device that was designed for that particular purpose, and that purpose only.

Please do not try to make this about "brands", "names", "fancy cases", and similar things, while this is clearly not.
 
Sorry, the fuzzy dice comment sounded exactly like that.

The point being general purpose versus single purpose really comes down to how the machine is setup and configured. Yes, you can probably get a single purpose machine that out of the box is configured for audio only... at what price.... I can configure my machine to be very very close, to a point where I know I could not hear a difference. Also, I would probably have higher quality components, which do come into play...

For the person who does not understand computers or do not want to get into setting up and configuring their computer then dedicated music server is a good route. But, the real point is simply by being a dedicated music server in and of itself does not make it better than a well designed and configured computer.
 
Still if you have the knowledge and the means to build a dedicated music server I would take that rout. As I set here listening to my system I can't imagine it to perform any better. That's why I'm at the point I just by music and listen. What a good place to be.:D
 
Agreed... sitting here listening.... controlling from across the room with Android tablet and sounding spectacular....
 
My two favorite brands right now would be Lumin and Aurender. Excellent sounding, good looking, great apps for your tablet.

The Linn players are good but don't do DSD (I believe).

For a little less money, the Bryston is a terrific player. The app is not as nice (I had a BDP-2).

I saw and listened to the new Cary Audio at RMAF - very musical.

The list of players continues to grow: Baetis, Lampizator, ... So the good news is that you have choices. And, the bad news, many choices.

Lastly, as an IT guy, my preference is to have a reliable, great sounding and easy to use player. I'm not interested in assembling, tweaking and messing around with hardware these days. The audio quality and ease of use being provided by some of these players is fantastic.

My 2 cents...
 
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