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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
gkr7007's avatar
gkr7007
150 posts
 

Call Andrew Gillis at Small Green Computer.

He told care of this old timer who didn't know squat about setting up streaming.  A great experience and great products.

ghdprentice
6,966 posts
 

@high-amp 

 

You can see two of my systems if you click on my ID. If your budget I'd ~$5K then I recommend a Aurender N100 streamer and a Schiit Yggdrasil DAC. I use a Aurender W20SE streamer and Audio Research CD9se DAC. On my headphone system I use an Aurender N100 streamer and a Ayre QB-9 2020 DAC.

desktopguy
367 posts
 

I bailed on this issue years ago by getting a series of good SPDIF converters, then recently a DDC. The USB cable goes into the SPDIF converter and outputs digital (up to 24/192) via coax cable to the DAC.

It’s not perfect, but especially w/the DDC in place, any noise from the big desktop computer is less of a concern.

high-amp OP
508 posts
 

Great thread! I am learning lots! Getty too many to thank individually, so thanks to you all!

headphonedreams
527 posts
 

The Innuos reclocker should be able to improve the sound of a audio streaming from a computer It is very pricy so it may not be the perfect choice for your budget but it may be worth thinking about. There are other brands that are cheaper that may or may not sound as good. I have not tried this but is using an Audioquest Jitterbug which improves the sound for me.

 

http://hifiknights.com/reviews/accessories/innuos-phoenixusb/

There have been threads about this before.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/which-usb-re-clocker

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