Best music server for the money

Ripping CDs IMHO is a non issue. Even the new Minis don't have an optical drive anymore.

As for back ups, I agree that it could be an issue.

But the Sony does provide an app for you to make back ups of the music library. I personally like the ability of the Sony to run with local music files rather than trying to retrieve it off a network device.

FWIW I don't own the Sony but I see it as a way to get the computer out of computer audio. I too run a Mac Mini with JRiver and iTunes at the moment.

Rbstehno,
Very valid questions, thanks! got me thinking. BTW, the developer in Mojo Audio explains why NAS isn't that good an idea for audio and what is a much better alternative sound wise, cheaper too.
"There is a common misconception that NAS drives are best for media server performance. NAS drives are optimized for multi-user file storage. For a single-user media server an AV drive has better performance. "

it's somewhere towards the end of his lengthy text. He doesn't specifically mentions the sound quality but he means it from what I figured out researching the topic

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/media-servers-mojo-audio-mac-mini-psu-upgrade-kit-b-stock-sale-2014-04-27-computer-audio-87106#TBDxHHiEcZjmtiXU.99

I find the noise from a spinning HDD (even an external one) is quite noticeable.

A NAS allows you to put the discs in another room.

I second the Antipodes server. I have used it as shows and is the best I have heard. Even FLAC and wav sound identical. Not on a PC or Mac.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

I have an AV drive feeding my Mac (Mojo) Mini. It's completely quiet, much quieter than a standard HDD external.