Question: How do I choose the right Music Server to meet my needs?

<<Review Our Music Server Selection Guide>>

 

Question: I have a stack of CDs and I want to go digital.  How?

Recommended Solution: (sonicTransporter i5 CDR & ultraRendu) .  The sonicTransporter i5 CDR runs Roon Server, Squeezebox Server, and MinimServer (DLNA server). Rip your CDs or load existing music to its huge internal hard drive and your music will be available to virtually any network player.

 

How it works:

• The sonicTransporter i5 CDR stores your music on an internal SSD or external NAS.
• The sonicTransporter i5 CDR is connected to your router via an Ethernet cable.
• Your music is served up to virtually any network player.
• We recommend the  ultraRendu as your music player to connect to your DAC.
• The ultraRendu is connected to your Router via an Ethernet cable.
• The ultraRendu connects to your DAC via a USB cable. A USB to SPDIF converter is also available.
• Your music is controlled by a controller app (Roon, Sonos, iPeng, Orange Squeeze, and more…) that is loaded onto your smartphone, tablet or computer

 

Question: I have all my music stored on my computer.  I want to play my music on my USB/SPDIF DAC.  How?

Basic Solution: (microRendu).  The microRendu is your bridge between the music stored on your computer and your DAC. 

How it works?

• Your computer is your music server and storage location for your music.
• Your computer is connected to your Router. We recommend an Ethernet connection if possible as wireless connections have the potential to decrease your sound quality.
• The microRendu connects to your router via an Ethernet cable.
• The microRendu connects to your DAC via USB or SPDIF (USB to SPDIF adapter sold separately).
• Music is controlled by an app on your computer. (ex: Roon, iTunes, Google Play etc…)

NOTE: While your computer is able to serve up your music, it was never specifically designed as a music server.  As a result, noise from your power supply and internal components can compromise your audio experience.  Additionally, other processes running concurrently on your computer will degrade your audio experience

Recommendation:  We recommend moving your music off your computer and on to a dedicated music server that is designed specifically for audio.  The sonicTransporter series is an excellent music server option.       

 

Question: My music is stored on a USB storage or NAS device.  I want to play my music on my USB/SPDIF DAC.   How?

Solution: (sonicTransporter i5 & ultraRendu).   The sonicTransporter (dedicated music server) runs Roon Server, Squeezebox Server, and MinimServer (DLNA server). Attach a USB drive full of music or a NAS and your music will be available to virtually any network player.  The ultraRendu brings your USB or SPDIF to life by connecting your stored music to your DAC.

  How it works?

• Your USB Drive is connected to the sonicTransporter i5 via a USB cable.
• Your NAS is connected to your router via an Ethernet cable.
• You can use a USB attached drive, a NAS or both if you want.
• The sonicTransporter i5 is connected to your router via an Ethernet cable.
• The ultraRendu is connected to your router via an Ethernet cable
• The ultraRendu connects to your DAC via USB or SPDIF (USB to SPDIF adapter sold separately).
• Your music is controlled by a controller app (Roon, Sonos, iPeng, Orange Squeeze, and more…) that is loaded onto your smartphone, tablet or computer

NOTES: The sonicTransporter is available in three options.  See the below chart to understand which sonicTransporter is right for you. 

 

Options

Device	sonicTransporter i5	sonicTransporter i5 CDR	sonicTransporter i9 optical
Server / Player	Music Server	Music Server	Music Server
Connect to external USB storage or NAS	Yes	Yes	Yes
Internal Storage (store your music on the device)	Optional.  Up to 8TB internal storage available	Up to 16TB internal storage available	4TB spinning HD or up to 16TB SSD internal storage available
Number of Tracks	Up to 450K (including Tidal)	Up to 450K (including Tidal)	Up to 750K
Optical network interface	No	No	Yes
CD Ripping Drive	Optional	Yes	Optional
Roon	Yes	Yes	Yes
HQPlayer	Yes	Yes	Yes