Yes, absolutely. I had a Lumin X-1 DAC/Streamer and loved it. Then during Covid I decided a a near death experience needed a reward so I purchased a Lampizator Pacific DAC. I paired it with a transport. I was slightly disappointed in the sound. Then I started researching Music Servers. I came across an absolutely computer genius in Lucas Domanski. He is the brains and owner of Lucas Audio LDMS. We had many phone calls through What's App to discuss my system and music needs. He then built me a dedicated 8tb music server.
When I received it, I could not believe how much better my sound was right out of the gate. Now that I have had it for 10 months, I am totally happy. Lucas is in Great Britain but he is available almost 24/7 for consultation. He set up my system from his office.
He can build you a Music server anywhere from $4k to $20k. Mine is somewhere in the middle. I would love to do an A/B comparison between my LDMS and Taiko. It is that good.
If nothing else reach out to him by email or phone and listen to what he has to say. Tell him Will sent you.
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Small world I am looking at purchasing a music server from lucas audio I currentlybuse bryston 3 streamer but I don't like the interface. But I was weary about dropping 6k on a boutique streamer.
I have looked at Baetis streamers in Canada around 6 to 8k and a Italian mfg called Aqua but their streamer is more like 10k
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I looked at Baetis, Aqua, Innuous, Taiko, Aurender, Antipodes. They are all good in their own right. What you get with Lucas is customer service. Sometimes that is the added bonus you get with a boutique Company. They can build it to your exact specs. My speakers are boutique also --Viking Acoustic Grande Voix Dual horns. I was able to discuss all of my parameters with the owner and builder. I personally love that interaction.
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To follow @willgolf
Absolutely yes! I fiddled around with PCs, MacBook.. and portable devices for years. It is only sending bits, right? No! I got an Auralic Aries G2 and realized it is like every high end audio component, every component matters, particularly at the beginning of the signal chain… actually like a turntable / cartridge… the source. Suddenly, digital was sounding better… like worth listening to.
Then I got an Aurender N100… then things got really good. Finally I ordered a $22K Aurender W20SE. I was concerned It was worth the money, that is a lot… after less than a minute I realized it was a bargain! Jaw dropping good… finally a source on the same level of analog. I am listening to it now… I listen to it 99+% of the time. I have 2,000 pristine albums and a fantastic TT and phono stage.
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Take a look at Wolf Audio as well. Many people are happy with their Innuos Zenith Mk3 streamers/servers although some issues with their latest software upgrade. Best of luck.
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Me too Aurender N10 and when I upgrade my dac to Aesthetix Pandora it will probably surpass my analog
Enjoy the Holidays
Tom
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Has any one have Emma labs/ meitner? Streamer/Dac
Or the Aqua streamer/dac combo?
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I had the Emm Lab before the Lumin X-1. For me, there was no comparison. The Lumin was better for me. BTW, please keep us informed of your decision.
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Those Viking Acoustic speakers are something else. I have never listened to horn speakers but they look outstanding. I also ordered hand made speakets from Salk Sound his model SSM6 they took 7 months to arrive but we'll worth the wait.
For me personally purchasing sight unheard is a bit of a leap of faith thank fully I have not been burned yet.
On a side note with digital front ends such as a few here in the replies did any of you also invest in audiophile network switch and upgraded ethernet cabling and if so what are your results
Thanks
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Independent streamer/server is definitely the way to go. Given the nature and load associated with rendering vs. the actual server, I feel best performance comes from devices with separate computers for the two functions. The server requires tons of power. Too much power in the renderer function can introduce noise. This is part of why I like Antipodes so much.
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@verdantaudio Antipodes has moved to a single chassis. For example the K50.
Asking to clarify if you continue to recommend a separate server component and a separate player component, i.e. the two box approach?
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@willgolf You did not list Pink Faun. Did you also consider them? If yes / no...your reasons? Thanks.
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The K30 has two separate computers inside one box. The K50 has two computers, a clock and a separate power supply for each part inside that one box. It is about separation of the parts, not separation of the boxes.
When you look at a K30 or K50 via my antipodes one computer is set to server, the other to renderer.
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Another option (not mentioned yet) is Grimm Audio MU1...if it fits your needs from a features perspective. The sound quality is reportedly up there with the best.
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I was happy with Antipodes D3 and am currently happy with Mojo Deja Vu…both streamer/servers.
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Adding the 432 Evo to the growing list.
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tomic601 no Pandora yet after the New Year
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@David Ten
I had heard of Pink Faux but in all my research it just did not come up. No reason just so many others to choose from. I do like the aspect of knowing who is building my equipment and that probably is a major reason I went with Lucas Audio. That is similar to my Viking Acoustic Grande Voix Speakers and Canary Audio Amps. In each case, I developed a relationship with the owner. BTW, and I know this sounds crazy but all of my equipment was purchased without hearing it first. A lot of that has to do with my confidence in who is building the equipment.
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WHY do you guys think a dedicated server makes a difference, IF you are using a separate streamer/player that is low noise, and only reads the data off your server (like a NAS)?
I am in the dilemma whether to get an Innuos with its own server, OR host all my music on my NAS server, and send it via Ethernet to a streamer like Aurender or Auralic?! I just do NOT understand, WHY, or HOW a file off NAS over ethernet can sound different, than Tidal stream going to the SAME streamer?!
Paul McGowan thinks NAS is better, as it's isolated away from the player/streamer.
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A dedicated server is a computer in a fancy box. The folks making the well-regarded, dedicated servers typically pay attention to improving things like processing speed, power supply, fanless operation (i.e., quieter), optimized programing, EMI/RFI resistance (i.e., better cases and isolation), damping, clocking, and dedicated outputs like the JCAT XE or Femto cards. However, more important than simply putting a bunch of better "stuff" in a box, the people who have been building servers for a number of years (like Mark Jenkins at Antipodes or Benjamin Zwickel at Mojo, and of course the other well-regarded designers) have found ways to continually improve their products to create quiet, reliable, great sounding servers. That experience, expertise, and of course the premium parts and execution are what lead to the great sound and the premium pricing. "Blown away" is a matter of personal perception.
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