Music Servers

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? 

And if your question is: Does adding a dedicated server improve upon a single player or server/player? 

Read the 4th post in this thread: (I see this fellow had some Naim gear fyi) 

https://antipodes.support/t/differences-k50-and-k21/3805

After analyzing what made up a streamer many years ago I came to the conclusion that a laptop and a server could equal or better many streamers at much less cost.

Ripped CD files stored on a server, retrieved using a laptop and played through a quality DAC provide a very versatile and easily upgradable playback system.

My recipe: Rip CDs with Exact Audio Copy (EAC) on a desktop and store the files on a NAS. Connect NAS with Cat6 or better to laptop and play using Foobar2000 through a DAC.

EAC provides CD quality rips and the windows laptop, the "drive belt" to the DAC, can also play web radio stations from around the world. Chord Mojo DAC sends data to Anthem MRX receiver connected to Focal speakers. Total cost is minimal and sound quality is excellent.

Bonus: good playable CDs are very cheap to buy and relatively easy to find at yard sales and flea markets and upgrading any component in the chain is easy and relatively painless.

Drawback: system is akin to driving a manual vs. automatic transmission car. It requires bit of effort on the part of the user but, like driving a manual, provides very real satisfaction.

NB: I do sometimes purchase online music from Qobuz or others but the thrill of searching/finding rare CDs in bins and boxes is rather exciting IMO.

My "transport" is an Eversolo T8, with  an SSD.

I stream from Presto and Qobuz but have about classical 1,000 works stored on the T8.  They are a mix of purchases from Presto and Rips of CDs.  

My internet is somewhat slow and can be glitchy, and disappears with strong winds, ice or snowstorms, hence an alternative to streaming.

Also, when in NYC I go to Academy Records and pore through their media.

The T8 could also access a NAS, but the stuff I had on a NAS is now copied onto the 4GB ssd.

If your DAC has a first class clock, and a similarly good implementation of asynchronous USB, all sources will be essentially of the same quality as the data is buffered in the DAC and timing is solely the responsibility of the DAC's clock.

Other source to DAC connections may not have this isolation, in particular IIS depends critically on the source clock, which is transmitted to the DAC, and the IIS cable.