Ready For Digital Source...Computer?


I have speakers and amplification all figured out, now I need a source. No vinyl and not concerned with CD's at this point.
Only steaming online. No Roon either, been there, done that. 

Honestly, (because I need a new computer anyway) I would really like to use a computer to play Spotify (hopefully CD-quality soon), Tidal, Qobuz, etc. but most say a computer is too "Noisy" to use for this purpose. Although, I have heard there are ways around this.

Rather than having to purchase a dedicated music server, does anyone know how to set up a computer as a high-quality music server? I can't really seem to find anything online.

Thanks






high-amp

A high quality laptop is a superb music server, and most are easy peasy to run remotely from a tablet in your listening chair.  Just saying there's a noise problem that pollutes and distorts the USB output doesn't make it so.

If you are using usb to the dac, you will never get the best performance. All music servers are computers usually with a proprietary OS which is a bad approach for support.  Some vendors will also tell you that certain hard drives or ssd/nvme devices make a difference in SQ, which isn't true either.

A lot of the music servers try to make USB sound better which will never work.

your best option is to get a great dac with an internet (not wifi) connection or i2s and your music server choices won't be so critical or expensive. 
software running on a computer to read/manage your music will make more of a difference than hardware after you reach a certain hardware minimum

Computers and USB belong same league as phones. I doubt any true audiophile would ever consider them for anything more than a millisecond before breaking up in fits of laughter.

@high-amp What is an electrically noisy computer doing that is bad? It is sending that noise into the DAC. Now what if you block that noise from getting into the DAC. Some magic shield. I use the following:

Amazon.com: Ubiquiti Networks Networks UniFi Switch 8-Port 150 Watts, White : Electronics (you can get this from Ubiquiti for $199)

Sonore - opticalRendu (I have 2 of these for 2 DACs)

Fibre Optical cable cannot carry the noise

 

BTW - my noisy computer is wired by Ethernet and hidden in the closet of a bedroom, no where near my office or living room systems.

 

 

Thanks for all these guys! A lot to digest. Have to start dinner and spend a little time with the wife. I'll Definitely get back to you guys tomorrow on some of the stuff.