Help Me With Everything Needed: Computer Audio

see my setup....real simple and sonically satisfying (how the computer end is structured)

Any additional recommendations?

1. Laptop (I don't know)
2. DAC (I'm thinking mhdt Havana or maybe Valab- leaning toward NOS)
2. Digital Cable (I'm thinking Wireworld Starlight a-b usb)

I'll get storage and rip later. Right now just want to stream from websites. Come on you veterans! Help out someone who is new to computer audio!

You could take a look at my secondary system. Instead of the SBT, connect a mac mini or macbook and you're all set. The SBT is better for internet radio as you have access to the Linn stations (320 kbps) and it's less $ than a computer.
On the mac mini used for my main system, I just use a stock USB cable to connect to the DAC. The main system sounds better, but I'm happy listening to either setup

I'm not a veteran in computer audio, more like a new recruit but I've gotten thru some basic training. Here are my thoughts:

1. Apple something (laptop, mini, ?). Their headphone out is analog and digital. For digital, you use a Toslink cable that has a mini on one end or an adapter that fits over a normal end. That gets you a pure digital stream without going thru their cheap internal DAC.

2. DAC: You'll have to describe the sound you like and go with peoples recs. Maybe you can find a seller that allows a demo period. The DAC I use was highly modified by a tech friend so it wouldn't do any good to name it. I like listening to internet radio (have Pandora on in the background now). GIGO applies. Some songs suprise me with how good this can sound, other songs...not so much. My DAC has what I would call "relaxed detail" so that even the poorer sounding recordings don't annoy. Something to think about.

3. Cable: I'm using a custom made silver/teflon coax one. I like it better than the plastic Toslink. I haven't heard glass Toslink yet. Of course, you won't have a choice of coax/Toslink if you go the Mac way.

Good luck.

For a dac, maybe the Havana is not a good idea after all. I am looking for something neutral with bass weight and crystal highs. I listen to classic jazz, rb and rock