I'd say add to our streaming knowledge and try, I still think much to be learned.
I hope to have most or all of my questions about streaming answered by end of year. I know someone who is in process of diy build, aka self assembly of nearly state of art server/streamer, based on final spec this will be equivalent to off the shelf server in price range of $10k-$20k. It is based on full size atx motherboard, will run windows or linux os, have enough processing engine to run HQPlayer with highest level DSP, folded into Roon, which means it can be run sans HQPlayer or with no DSP engaged. Industrial spec RAM and SSD. Ports will include optical, at least two ethernet, USB off motherboard, hopefully, USB off PInk Faun or JCAT, and high end lps.
With this server will be able to compare HQPlayer processing at any level vs no processing. With the optical port it can be used with Sonore Opticalrendu or some other optical capable streamer or streamer/dac. With direct ethernet out it can be used with ethernet streamer/usb renderer/Roon endpoint or streamer/dac. With two choices of USB, motherboard vs onboard usb rendering directly into dac can be compared. By the way, I consider the direct off motherboard usb the greatest flaw with the vast majority of off the shelf servers, this will directly compare that to optimized USB, these boards are $1200-$2500 each and are reportedly worth all the money, here's link to discussion, https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/jcat-usb-xe-or-pink-faun-ultra-ocxo.32332/
I've been doing self builds of general service computers for years, music server are simply general service computers optimized as music players only. The vast majority use off the shelf motherboards,processors, ssd, RAM, etc., some have custom built lps and some upgraded ports. The only bespoke servers that exist are something like Taiko Extreme and Wadax Reference, may be others I'm unaware of. These are truly one of a kind, fully engineered from scratch servers and likely worth every penny for those that can afford. Mike Levine here, I believe has posted on both. I only wish this build could be on that level. The vast majority of sub $10k servers I've looked at don't have the necessary processing engine to run HQPlayer at highest processing levels, don't use industrial grade RAM or SSD, have less than optimal port availability and/or those ports not fully optimized, and not all that impressive lps. Going the self build route allows one to build a much better server at a reasonable price, not saying the off the shelf servers not worth the money, only comparing business models here. Self build uses free R&D, free labor, no marketing costs, no profit margin. For many opportunity cost estimates or lack of computer building experience may make self build prohibitive. This is not meant to dis on off the shelf, these servers provide value to those purchasing them.
Anyway, we will listen and compare various configurations of this server, hopefully it will be finished by early spring. I will then build my own server based on my particular needs. Listening tests will hopefully help me determine the exact components I will use in my build. This endeavor will test my theories that separate server, streamer and optical isolation solutions are optimal. It will also have allowance for multi optimized ports which will make this server maximally versatile, many different streamers and or streamer/dacs will be able to optimally connect to server.
While the above will test server to dac leg of network, what comes in front of server remains to be tested in like manner.
