Anyone own/tried W4S Music Server???

VCoak

I was wondering if any CP's have or heard this system? I enjoy techie stuff and love Apple products for their simplicity. The idea of controlling my music through my ipad and a good DAC is capturing my attention more and more.

I am on the fence between a music server or staying with a traditional CDP. Sound quality is my top priority. Any thoughts....

mco

tonyb

There's a tad more to it than just hooking up an IPAD and a dac....especially if SQ is top priority. Running a program over apples like Pure Music or Amarro and some others as well is going to be key. Also a good dac means different things to different people, don't cheap out in that area.

We have a million threads on getting good audio out of the 'puter, read up some, get some knowledge under your belt and a budget in mind before diving in.

VCoak

Thx, Tonyb

Stayed up late reading so much. I did find more on the threads and some good info here. Big learning curve in this arena. I want to avoid using/building a computer another computer. Already have two high end gaming 'puters. Lots of $$ in them.

Will check out the mentioned programs. As for DAC I looking at matching the server with W4S DAC-2.

VCoak

Did a bunch of reading on music servers. Personally I like the W4S music server. Clean, simple and I not additional computer.

tonyb

VCoak wrote: »

Did a bunch of reading on music servers. Personally I like the W4S music server. Clean, simple and I not additional computer.

It's a nice unit for sure, but it's also 2 grand retail. If your good with that, go grab it and rock on bro.

thsmith

I use a W4S DAC 2 with my Mac Mini and Amarra. Stunning results and have no desire to go any further.

I use an Ipad to headlessly drive the Mac Mini.

The only time the Mac hits the internet is to upgrade Amarra and IOS.

VCoak

It is a big savings going mac. I2S between the W4S DAC 2 DSD and the their server is very interesting and reading as much as possible. Would like to hear A/B comparisons.

Thx thsmith

mco

AsSiMiLaTeD

I probably wouldn't spend that much on a media server even if I had the spare change, just too much other options and better things to do with that money.

I feel like a broken record just recommending the Oppo 105 over and over, but it has several options for streaming and is a fantastic DAC as well. It is an incredible value for what it does. You can use the Oppo interface via an iPad, you can use the USB input coming from a computer, you can use an airport express into the optical input, or you can set the Oppo up as a zone in J River and use the wonderful JRemote app on an iPad to control everything. It really is a superb product.

tonyb

The W4S server is more so an all in one unit. That's the allure, no fuss. Built in storage too for loading up your cd's. Kinda like the Olive or Q-sonix stuff. No compatibility issues, no programs to set up, no external storage devices, no added gear to buy with the quality built in dac. Has merit and functionality. 2k price tag is fairly reasonable too considering what the W4S DAC 2 retails for.

Toolfan66

I have been eyeballing the W4S for a few weeks now, I'm sure I will pull the trigger on it down the road, and add it to my W4S gear..

VCoak

After spending many hours last night doing a pricing for a mac mini plus numerous add-ons if you go that route, the cost is getting close to the W4S. Plus I am in factoring in my personal time. While I enjoy spending time doing this I also do enjoy relaxing time too.

Like Toolfan mentioned I may just go for it in the future. Sometimes simplicity is worth its weight in gold.

If I do buy either system I will post my results and let everyone know.

mco