Audio PC

I am hoping that there is going to be released an operating system written specifically for a music server PC that offers a suite of tools to make it as good as possible. I am still waiting, it may exist already and I have to discover it.

Yes, there is.  Euphony Stylus, which is more of a Linux operating system that has been pre-tuned to work best in most systems.  It contains it's own music player or you can install Roon Core, HQPlayer, NetworkAudio HQP endpoint, Squeezelite LMS endpoint, or Airplay audio server.

https://euphony-audio.com/euphony-stylus-operating-system/

Alternatively, you can get Arch linux and start digging into all the configuration.  This can ultimately get you better than Euphany, but it requires tons of time and experimentation as well as Linux knowledge.

@auxinput - thanks, I'll be looking into that.
+1 brov

@rixthetrick - here's a really long thread talking about Euphony and AudioLinux:

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/55873-shootout-at-the-linux-corral-audiolinux-vs-euphony/

One quote that stood out to me:

" A Euphony Stylus license may seem expensive, but I get such good sound, as well as great support and troubleshooting from Arthur, and the Euphony engineering team makes incremental updates regularly. "

@auxinput, thanks yeah I'm looking at the threads.
I contacted memory player recently about their software - wow very expensive, much more than Euphony Stylus.

Have you personally used either?

Some people here are telling ya accurate stuff and trying to save ya money. Others want to share their neurosis.  Get a fanless PC with an SSD and spend the money on a good DAC with USB input. Don't need to be expensive. No timing issues ever that's why they have such high dynamic range. Sometimes the numbers don't lie. Lots of stuff out there to get rid of USB electrical noise if you're worried. Save ya money to spend where it matters.