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Music player vs server; Auraliti vs Sonore vs W4S

Computer audio noob ready to take the plunge after much research...I have decided a Linux based system offers the best path to SOTA digital sound. I am vacillating between the supposed aural benefit of the Auraliti PK 90 and Sonore Rendu approach of keeping ripping and meta tags outside the box versus the convenenience of popping a CD into a Sonore Signature or Wyred4sound MS-1 server. Also, 1 box (Linux/Vortexbox based) servers use compressed FLAC which some audiophiles strongly believe constricts soundstage among other things vs uncompressed formats. Should compressed FLAC be a deal breaker against Sonore and W4S servers? How much extra time and effort is it to rip with a PC using dBPoweramp with uncompressed FLAC compared to ripping with the Sonore and W4S servers, where you just insert CD and it pops out 9 minutes later having been stored on the internal hard drive complete with meta data? I have to rip 1000 CDs from scratch and have limited energy.

I have two systems: one with Harbeth P3ESR and the other with Compact 7 speakers, both with tube amps and Lightspeed passive volume control. Plan to use Meitner MA1 DAC in main system and Channel Islands Audio DAC in smaller system. Meitner DAC excels with both USB and SPDIF therefore am not limited to either Sonore or W4S server. I don't think more expensive servers like Sooloos or Aurender offer value.
Thanks for your thoughts and hope this thread will be helpful for others.
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tompoodie
tompoodie OP
37 posts
 
Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,547 posts
 
Have you tried reading up on all you can at http://www.computeraudiophile.com/?

The author of the site, Chris, has extensively covered what you're looking into.
He's even made his own music server, the C.A.P.S. 2.0 from the best parts that are readily available. And, if you're not into building it, it can be bought from here http://shop.smallgreencomputer.com/Computer-Audiophile-Pocket-Server_c5.htm.

Good luck and keep us posted on your results.

All the best,
Nonoise
tompoodie OP
37 posts
 
I have indeed, and read Chris' pertinent reviews. I did more reading last night and decided on the Sonore Rendu music player; I read an article by Michael Lavorgna and do believe based on his tests, and the tests of others he quotes, that uncompressed FLAC has meaningful sound improvement.

http://www.audiostream.com/content/cut-flac

http://www.audiostream.com/content/dbpoweramps-flac-lossless-uncompressed-wish-come-true

That rules out the one box players because they rip with compressed FLAC. It will be a little more work ripping, but with storage outside the box will be more future proof. Thanks for your lone response, Nonoise!

As a sidenote, I learned from Michael that the next step in CA might be a 1 or 2 TB SXRD card directly into a DAC...one less cable!
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