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

By the way we have tested a dedicated server vs a pc o. Many dacs the servers all outperformed pcs

 

To date we hve tested sotm c omputer

 

Mac minis auralic innous baetis laufertechnik 432evo

itsjustme - Having read and re-read your many susequent posts I find you are at another level, far above my undersatnding of computers. When I was using my MacBook Air via USB to DAC I thought it sounded great.

I also thoroughly enjoyed using my Roon Nucleus (as a music server) to DAC via USB as well.

It is others that suggest computers are "Noisy" so I was looking for others opinions on the mater.

I just thought if I could remove one more box out of the audio loop (Roon Nucleus/Music Server) by hooking up my computer when I wanted to stream music. Along with that, avoid paying two mothly subscription, one for Roon and another for a music service.

 

itsjustme correct, all servers are essentially optimized computers, the optimization is the critical difference between them. I consider actual computer diy solution, off the shelf server already done for you.

 

Its also correct that much of the noise upstream of dac can be eliminated by various means. Optical conversion of ethernet is one good way, do this just prior to dac or various usb renderers.

 

Network optimization pays great dividends. In the end, many paths to great streaming sound quality.