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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
itsjustme
682 posts
 

@High-amp   if you are doign a remodeling, my advice is run LOTS of ethernet cables from a hub location. eventually you'll want it (much better than wifi).  It can be nice to create roon zones through the house.  I also ran a "home run" 20A circuit dedicated to a quad plugoutlet behind my equipment area.  Its also nice to put your roon server in one placeand the system elsewhere  - both mechanical and electrical isolation

'later

travelinjack's avatar
travelinjack
190 posts
 

On this forum you are always going to get lots of opinions regardless of how sound your position might be.

You can make a test for little or no money.

If you have an old laptop or PC (both free if you already own them) and a DAC (maybe you already own one) then all you need is a good media player like Foobar2000 or even VLC (both free) and some lossless audio files to send the analog audio to your existing system and decide for yourself if you like the sound.

Windows 10 Media Sharing settings, Foobar2000 and it’s associated Foobar2000 smart phone remote control app are not the most elegant solution but it is entirely workable and low cost/no cost. The results could be excellent sound with little investment. If you are not happy with the sound then you can choose how and where to improve.

asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,701 posts
 

@high-amp ...You’re welcome. I’ve been a Win/pc clone since the ’80’s as Apples’ only appeal to me as Granny Smiths’. ;) But it’s mostly ones’ tastes and what you’re familiar with. Not saying either is good/bad/indifferent, but what one can mod to taste(s)... I’m not afraid of opening the cover on the box and poking about.

Macs usually require one to ’outboard’ any peripherals, whereas a pc can either acccept a card and/or install a program or an app. It comes down to what you want or intend to accomplish.

I run the fast purpose built as source, and an older one as a monitor running various analysis progs for RT display of system and/or what a calibrated mic is ’hearing’...an ’in vs. out’ comparision is what I’m most interested in...

The ’loudest’ background item is a ceiling fan, that pulls warm air down from the 14’ ceilings I live with....*L* Esp. now that Maude Winter is at the stoop...;)

high-amp OP
508 posts
 

Thanks all, I think I am going to find a decent combo music server/DAC with an upgradable DAC. This looks interesting: https://eng.hifirose.com/rs150 at $5,000 or this one at half the price: https://eng.hifirose.com/RS250-info . Not sure what makes the big price difference though?

sns
3,299 posts
 

My issue with all in one  server/dac/storage equipmet is it kind of defeats the whole idea of maximally quiet streaming setup. Adding internal noise and functions of dac and storage in server chassis is not optimum. With outboard dac, you have far more options, and these combo packages are generally not designed/built by dac specialists. 

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