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Suggested PC laptop models for computer audio

I am looking for advice directing me towards an inexpensive, simple Windows based laptop - used or new - to which I will add an external solid state hard drive to use as a server for a computer audio front end at home.

I currently use a one year old Dell Latitude at work with a WD external hard drive running iTunes and JRiver Media Center 21, and it sounds remarkably good (although music software programs not ideal companions within enterprise networked office environment:\). Given my current budget and space constraints, the advantage of having the screen, keyboard processor and I/Os all in one chassis, combined with my familiarity with PC systems and software, I would probably not consider a Mac Mini at this time.

Music file procurement, storage, handling and reproduction would be the sole purpose of the laptop. Currently running FLAC, AIFF and mp4 files at resolutions up to 24/96, with capacity to handle higher res files in future. Lots of ripped redbook files. DAC will be Arcam irdac for the time being. No DSD files for now.

Your PC laptop suggestions very much appreciated.

kn
knownothing
knownothing OP
1,709 posts
 
Buconero117. Tell me more. I am the boss, so I guess I should fire myself.
My IT people are aware of what I am running. Do you have links to some
citations we can see that document the threat of iTunes, JRiver and an
external drive to PC based network? The applications live on my laptop,
and only JRiver accesses files on the WD external drive.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,477 posts
 
Are you going to use USB? If so, then speed of computer, type of hard drive, amount of memory etc. are unimportant. It is because asynchronous USB strips timing from the signal and new timing is recreated inside of the DAC. Amount of electrical noise is still important since it affects operation of the DAC, but it is difficult to predict which computer will be the best for that. Often slower computer can be less noisy then the fast one. USB cable can also affect operation. You need cable with very good shielding and possibly no power wires, if your DAC doesn't need it.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
If you want something small, have a look at the 2 links below.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139033&ignorebbr=1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008308%208000&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&page=1
lewinskih01
912 posts
 
As others have said, a screenless desktop would be best, but a laptop will certainly work.

If your DAC connects through USB, try to connect the external hard drive with something other than USB. USB works in series, so real time transfer of music to the DAC and data exchange with the hard drive will go though the same pipe. Avoid if you can.

As far as software, I found a very significant improvement by using Windows Server 2012 in core mode and using AudioPhil's Audio Optimizer (which only works in WS2012). Very, very significant.

Other than that, the cheapest laptop will do. You don't need much processing power or RAM for this, and you should shut down all hardware bells and whistles to minimize electrical noise as Kinjanki mentioned, so why pay for that? You need minimal processing power.

If going WS2012, however, it needs to be a 64-bit machine (any new machine will be, but you could even get a used one).

I think optimizing hrdware on a laptop is a bit of a waste of time. This, coming from a guy with a heavily optimized headless server.
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