Love this thread! Must confess to much of this being a bit confusing to me. I am basically interested in a music server, I guess. If the device incorporates streaming, that's great. However, I want a device that has a great quality ripper (a must-have), that is very easy and intuitive to use, and does not require a computer to make it all work, or even e ion the same room, for that matter. I started with Innuos, after reading some very favorable reviews, and have looked at the Zenith MK III, Statement (Ouch!), and more recently Aurender, owing to the number of CDs we own (as Zigman mentioned above).
Innuos is a problematic choice because although they have been talking about having their own interface "that is just about to come out" for over a year now, nothing has been produced and they have no timeline they are willing to state. Their product line seems to have pretty much stopped, as far as I can see, except for their Re-clocker. And with Innuos, a DAC will be required as well.
Aurender look to have some pretty fair solutions, with their own interface, and apparently rock-solid (trouble-free) performance, and a quality signature as well.
I use Summits and OPPO 205, and some odd amplifiers (ARCAM P1s, Yamaha MX-2000, etc.
Guidance / thoughts for a poor, down-trodden, somewhat confused fellow ML user?