hamblis

The question of using AIFF or FLAC or WAV, etc., is subjective and has been discussed on the forum quite a bit. Some say there can be no difference and others will say they can tell between different formats. Why not rip some music you know well into different formats and listen for a preference? If you do, try FLAC in compressed and uncompressed modes. In my system, I can hear a difference. Overall, I think it would be worth working out an overall strategy for managing your digital files: do you plan to have a "base" copy of files which you don't use except as a disaster recovery point? If so, you might use FLAC for that. It has good meta data handling and the wide support for it makes it a good "futures" option for the job. it would be simple to copy that library to make your playing copy if you chose FLAC overall. Do you have an iPhone or iPod and do you use iTunes to manage them? If so, what format do you play? Keep in mind that dBPoweramp can rip to two different formats at once. Storage is cheap but, if you have a large library of music and you factor in back-ups, multiple formats and disaster recovery, then using a compressed format(s) would save resources. You may have seen it already but, just in case not, here is a link to the dBpoweramp ripping guide: dBpoweramp CD Ripper - Setup Guide

LFD Reference Silver. However, I'm currently trying Vertex AQ silver Moncayo and they are much, much more satisfying to listen to (and much more expensive...)

Lee, which dCS did you listen to? I think the Puccini is competitive with the equipment you list whilst Paganini and Scarlatti are a large step above. The best DAC I've heard in an audition is the Paganini; the best in my system is the Puccini

Project manager and business / IT consultant, which embraces a multitude of sins....

Have you read the recent update to the pocket server design? There must be pointers there for you, including USB. Re. aluminium versus steel, the only thought that occurs is that one isn't magnetic.... http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Computer-Audiophile-Pocket-Server-CAPS-v20

I've been thinking that the current model Mac Mini still has legs as a music server. Except for the ''it's the latest version'' factor, are there particular specs in the upcoming version that improve it as a server?

1). There's a great guide here which will help you a lot: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Computer-Audiophile-CD-Ripping-Strategy-and-Methodology. If you follow it, you'll end up with dBPoweramp to rip data into FLAC for your archive copies. You could use FLAC for playback but you might find other formats sound different so it would be worth trying several types to satisfy yourself. 2). There's a lot of choice for you. Media Monkey, Foobar, J River Media Center, etc. You could search for options and try a few. 3). As said already, S/PDIF. You should consider your sound card options, though, as that will have quite a performance impact.

I know this is almost a cliche but, especially given the range of investment you are talking of, you have to let your ears decide... The models you've listed have great potential but all have distinctive qualities - sonic, design approach, build quality, etc. I have the dCS Puccini and USB clock and perhaps the best thing I can say about them is that I don't want anything else. To your current list, you could usefully add Luxman and maybe look at more options in Accuphase's range, if you like their sound. Steve