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
128x128uberwaltz

Showing 2 responses by willemj

If you alreay have a good DAC with optical input, why not try a Chromecast Audio (and its digital ouput)? There are apps for Spotify, Qobuz, TuneIn and many other services. You can also access your computer’s drive/NAS with BubbleUPnP. It will do files up to 24/96. See here for measurements: http://archimago.blogspot.nl/2016/02/measurements-google-chromecast-audio_27.html
All these apps can do 24/96. The question is if the streaming service does this. The answer is basically no. Highest quality level right now is 16/44 for Tidal or Qobuz. That is true for the Chromecast Audio, but also for all other streamers.
Streaming from a NAS is a different story, of course.