Which music server would people recommend?

[Klafha]

I do not have 2 streamers. You don't want to bypass the Naim streaming components as those are part of the Naim house sound. I am using antipodes K41 which is server only, connected over ethernet (from its direct stream ethernet port, it has 2) to the NSS333. I recommend a Shunyata Sigma ethernet cable with this config, it makes an additional, significant difference. A slightly more cost effective option would be to use the K22 which can also work in server model only, but does have a streamer component as well (which can be fully disabled). The K41 is superior for server only purposes.

It's a bit over my budget, but if you could find it used, that would be an option.

 

[Klafha]

SonicTransporter from Small Green Computer?
I7 version with options up to 8tb is around your budget. Roon Core included.
I have the I5 with 2TB, USB directly into my DAC with approx. 250 cds loaded, which hardly makes a dent in the storage capacity.

What applications can you choose? And what do you use?

Is it completely silent?

 

[GeoffR]

A quick look at my SonicTransporter home page shows quite a few apps available to be installed...
- Bubble UPnp
- HQ Player
- MinimServer
- Plex Media
- Squeezebox
+ a few others I've not heard of and seem more like cataloging/info enhancements rather than "players".

I only have CD Import installed on the SonicTransporter along with Roon (which came preloaded at purchase). Loading/ripping CD's was flawless, and it has not dropped out or failed during any listening session. Again, everything goes through roon ... Qobuz and local storage are where I get my music.

If by "silent" you mean, audible noise from the unit itself, yes, completely silent. It is a fanless server, which, through roon, is also my streamer. If you mean digital noise or electrical interference coming through the system and speakers affecting the sound, sorry but that's out of my league. I can tell you it was a definite SQ improvement from using Roon on my laptop and USB out to my DAC.

My most recent tweak was to run an optical break between the router and the SonicTransporter, with a Stack Audio Smoothlan between the last fibre-to-ethernet switch and the SonicTransporter. This was a major improvement in SQ. Next tweak/upgrade would be to add a streamer, as I do believe that could yet again improve the SQ another level.

 

[Klafha]

sonicTransporter i7 (Gen 3 was maybe an option when/if my Zen MK2 doesn't work anymore