2. digital
  3. 170661-100084

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
pedroeb
493 posts
 

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.

yyzsantabarbara
4,912 posts
 

@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.

 

 

high-amp OP
508 posts
 

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. 

high-amp OP
508 posts
 

Thanks for all this guys! Great info & a lot to digest. Have to start dinner and spend a little time with the wife. I'll Definitely get back onboard tomorrow. 

charles7
110 posts
 

I send a digital stream over wi-fi to a DAC. The quality of the DAC is what counts.
 
Some streams are directly off the Web, so their encoding can make a difference. Other streams are .flac or other files on the PC hard drive, sent out by wi-fi; Minimserver software does that.

The wi-fi receiving box, a Denon HEOS Link, has a digital signal path spec'ed at 2-channel Linear PCM:2-channel, 32 kHz – 192 kHz, 16/20/24 bit. That's good enough for my ears. Its optical output goes into the DAC. (The Denon has a DAC inside it, feeding line output, but my separate DAC sounds a little better.)

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