New computer for Streaming????

Old computer < dedicated (Mac mini) computer < inexpensive streamer (iFi, blue sound) = (maybe) network card < good dedicated streamer.

I have had all. Now using Grimm MU1 to run roon core and stream. You don’t need roon, but I like it..  

if you choose a dedicated Mac mini, shut off as many apps as possible.  The reason it is more noisy is that Apple computers run lots of stuff you can not turn off.  And you need to somehow see a display of the mini sometimes.  I used one, it sounded ok, but would need restarted sometimes and a pain compared to a dedicated streamer with control app.
 

Thank you all for your suggestions. I probably should have listed my system for background. Amp Pass 250.8/  Benchmark LA4 pre Amp/ Bricasti M1 SE with Network card (streaming) Rs2T transport and LTA LPS / Already have Qobuz account, Tekton DI speakers upgraded and a SVS SB4000 sub. Rock and Roll only. 

I probably didn't describe my situation and needs accurately. (new to streaming) I will be using the streamer in the Bricasti  (not the computer)   I just need the new computer (MAc or Windows) to download my Qobuz account and Audirvana. Just need the new computer to run the applications, not to stream from.  Sorry about the confusion. Hope this explains things a little better. Does anyone have any feelings towards a MAC vrs Windows computer? Just using to download the applications only.

I don’t think it really matters unless you use Roon.  I moved to Roon for ease of use and ability to seamlessly integrate my music collection with Qobuz and the ability to identify and direct music to multiple systems around my home. In my case I moved to a Small Green Computer i5 (dedicated) music server (computer) with 4tb ssd to house my collection of music and run the Roon Core database.  Works great for streaming to my audio system, my 2 Sonos systems, car, and other targets.  The i5 is hard wired to my network and then hard wire to my M1 streaming card.  I found as I learned move about streaming and the capabilities of Roon a dedicated music server was the only way to go.  At this point I can assess all my music using my iPhone and MacBook Air and wife’s ipad. Sorry for rambling but this model solved all my streaming issues and gave me access to music everywhere.  
For reference primary audio system include Bricasti M1 SII, Cary SLP-05, AGD Audions, Joseph Audio Perspectives, SGC i5, Cardas.   

OP the computer will just be for an app that is the User Interface.  Personally, I like a tablet- ipad if you are an apple fan.  you just view information and select your music on it.  The streaming bits with the music content go directly from the Internet into the Bricasti. 

unfortunately, there's no guarantee that their ethernet is the "best" input.  seems like it should be, but my PS Audio has a network bridge, and as others have mentioned, it's inferior sounding and aggravatingly unreliable.  So, I have a nice DAC, but it requires a PC or streamer.

I am not yet convinced that a PC with an i7 and 8GB of RAM with SSD and only running the OS* plus the streaming app is so awful as many make it out to be.  but also have not had the $$ to try a $2K + streamer.  I need to find someone local to either let me borrow that superior streamer, or to let me try my DAC in their system=  Rogue Cronus magnum III and ML ESL-X ,DH lab USB cable should be sufficiently resolving.

* I acknowledge, that windows is running way too much in the background, but there is so much more power in this system than you'll find in any streamer. I know there is zero contention for compute resources!

testrun//// Thanks so much for the post. You have a really NICE SYSTEM!!

I just have the system described, no others attached. I have another system (lesser quality) in another location, which I will continue to stream USB,( great DAC, no streamer though)  which is fine. I'm just looking for a computer to download the 2 applications, so I can stream. As I don't have an I pad, and don't want to play with my I phone, I will most likely hard wire ( Ethernet) the new lap top to my listening,  area and use it to choose my songs to play though Audirvana,via Qobuz.   Thanks again   Ps    Love your Joseph Audio Speakers!!!