Music Servers

I use a Aurender N150, have probably 700 cds ripped in full .wav and lots of hi res downloads on the internal SSD. The sound from the SSD is so so much better than when I used to have my library on a NAS streaming over the network to my old streamer, night and day... It also sounds better than streaming Qobuz which I have on there too, internal SSD is the way to go

Hello fire_wzter, I can tell you from my experience that my stored hires files on my Aurender N10 internal storage sound better than most streaming from both Qobuz and Tidal. Reviews I've read have said the same thing for some reason the internal storage sounds best.  I cannot answer to the Innuos except that you give it a try. Some hires files sound amazing with more realism and better bass. Less digital and more analog like. If you have a good analog ( vinyl ) rig setup you'll understand what I mean. Good luck and cheers! 

I'd like to thank everyone for the feedback. I love the Innuos chain and wish that the Innuos Stream3 was in the mix as this would give me the ability to stream and store files. There is absolutely nothing wrong with my Innuos Pulsar so I'll just have to find a way to store files and it looks like there are plenty of options.  Any benefit in pairing a NAIM Uniti Core Music Server with my Innuos Pulsar? 

Most important: It’s all about the recording, or provenance of that track. In general, IMO, files from the server are the same quality as streaming via Qobuz- if I rip a CD and play that file it is generally the same as streaming it, so why bother. And sure, high res files from Qobuz in general sound better than their redbook counterparts, when both resolutions are available, But what if the high res files are not available? 

Then that is where PGGB comes into play, for me. After remastering the files of some of my favourite old CD’s the sound quality is much improved. These are albums that have not been as popular to the masses as others, or for some other reason have not been remastered to high res material (and no, not all "remasters" are the same, look up loudness wars, where the producers care about improving the sound more so than just making another copy to sell, one that might sound better for people’s cars and their $10 speakers). Outside of those a remaster usually improves upon the original. Example: Bozzio, Stevens and Levin’s Duende. Love it, love the whole album, can’t find it in high res. The PGGB remaster is so much better in all areas of sound- tighter and more textured bass, more dynamics, better resolved highs, and overall sounds more natural and liquid-less digital, which is what I believe we are all striving for when streaming. Even the high res files once PGGB’d to DSD512 sound better but to a lesser extent. 

But this is an additional expense, once must have a decent computer with enough horsepower (RAM) to remaster the files, and for me at DSD512 each album is 10 GB, so storage is needed. But if I were to demo Duende PGGB’d to the Qobuz stream to anybody I believe they would conclude like I have, it is on the same level as changing the amplifier, or going from a $300 power cord and interconnect to  $3000 ones. 

Now, one step up from that? High Definition Tape Transfers has some remasters I bought in DSD256 that sound even better than my PGGB’d DSD512 files remastered from 24/96 files. It’s all about provenance. This guy cares, and has ears, and has redone some jazz and classical albums to amazing standards. I am new to them, and only have 3 purchases, and the last one I got yesterday honestly I don’t think was worth buying as it was not better than streaming. But the suggestion below definitely is. 

So that was long winded, and sounds like a plug for PGGB, I agree. But if you want an answer to your question @fire_water : Are stored files better than streaming? 

Do this: Buy this Somethin’ Else in the highest resolution your DAC can handle, hopefully DSD256, and compare it to streaming it at 24/96. I see the Pulsar doesn’t have storage, so I don’t know what you use as your core now or your software- if none you are going to need to borrow a "decent" server or NAS to try it. If you hear what I do, you will have your answer in under 5 seconds. If you do buy the highest res available (DSD256 or 24/352.8 DXD) you have access to all resolutions. 

Any benefit in pairing a NAIM Uniti Core Music Server with my Innuos Pulsar? 

Probably, but maybe upgrade the Pulsar to a Zenith, or Stream, if you love Innuos or look at other complete streamers that are server and players?