Ready For Digital Source...Computer?

@high-amp   It would be very helpful if you clarify (read: lock in) your choice of path. It has wavered since your original post.

Members will be able to help you with better recommendations and approaches, once you clarify and select the path.

Re. the original (100W??) HDPlex: it's a good starting point. The Keces P8 is at another level.

david_ten - I did, my apologies.

No need to apologize. You are likely clear on this, but I'm not and perhaps others  are not as well.

Times on my side at the moment so, sooner or later I’ll figure it out

For example: Figure what out? 

If you have, restating what you've figured out in this thread or starting a new one would, I believe, offer focused insight from members.

It's a suggestion. If you feel you have already addressed it and stated so, I'm cool with that. All the best.

david_ten - Figure out, with help of the members here, if a computer is going to work as a music server for me. Very conflicting opinions so far.

And thanks for the scoop on the Keces P8, the price kind of says it all.

I did it. 

You can buy a music server, but you won't hear the difference if you do it right.

1. Get a cheap scope for $200 and see and measure the noise. It will pay for itself and you'll learn something. 

2. You have to replace your SMPS with a very quiet one. 

3. Filter every output with PP bypass capacitors.  Especially the power to the hard drives, better to use a SSD.

4. Get a quality outboard D/A converter and power it by a super-regulator.  D/C the DC of the USB in the cable going to it.

5. Shield the whole computer with low carbon sheet steel.  In fact, shield all low level devices. 

Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done.