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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
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,704 posts
 

@perkri , "To each, his/her/either their own..." ;)

I can enjoy a SET as well as most, but prefer to roll papers (or valve lifter pushrods, once upon a fender) as opposed to tubes....;)

jerrybj
869 posts
 

I've been using my MacBook Pro as my source for a few years. Used a USB/SPIDF converter to convert the USB to coax to go into my Dac.

Was pretty happy with that setup.

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
1,049 posts
 

OP

I migrated (in a few steps) from computer (been there....done that) to a streamer with DAC on board. If you can afford to pony up for such the SQ is so much better. Leave the computer for computing. A used Brooklyn bridge might be the ticket? 
 

 

elangley01
93 posts
 

Computers are not noisy. Get a good usb DAC and you're good.

i use a raspberry pi with LMS Qobuz plugin and it sounds great.

mahler123
3,374 posts
 

I used PCs for a bit, Mac and Windows.  You can achieve good sound.  A software program such as Audirvana Plus really helps, because it attempts to shut down the rest of the computer and leave music playing part, as well as providing a GUI to manage your music.

   Otoh--it can be a pain switching out of Audirvana Plus when you need to use the computer for non music functions.  Frequently I had to reboot several times, which is annoying when you have a task that you have to perform.

  If your present computer is still breathing, you may want to use it exclusively as a music server until  it croaks, and use the new computer for everything else.  However, if I understand the OP, he or she needs a DAC.  I would just buy a DAC/Streamer for a few hundred bucks more and get an inexpensive PC.  Computers are designed to be obsolete in a few years, and you might have issues with Mac or Windows updates suddenly bricking your PC, then there goes your server.  A dedicated streamer is probably more durable and less likely to meet that kind of fate

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