Computer for music only?

Rip them and play them from the same computer if you like. I did that when I was using an optimized MacBook and then MacMini for computer audio. Just use good ripping software. For PC you would want to use dbpoweramp.

I have since graduated to a NAS with server software and run wired Ethernet to my source.

"Dedicating the computer to audio playback only is the preferred route so you can eliminate other processes that cause internal noise. Using the same computer for ripping and playback is not ideal. You can rip at any other computer, copy the files into a flash drive, and copy them into the audio computer."

The most absurd thing I've read on the internet in many months. Seriously folks, if there was ever a device designed to do many things at once, it is a computer. a GENERAL PURPOSE computing device. Internal processes causing audible noise? Oh yeah, you should NEVER run Excel while listening to music. Please.

Sure, mechanical devices inside the chassis can make noise and quieter fans and SSDs can address that, but the primary reason for SSD use should be for performance, not db reduction. If your fans make noise, replace them with Noctua's. Water cooling is for over-clockers.

You can fiddle with DirectSound/ASIO/WASAPI playback settings if your player supports them but if you're so concerned about noise from your PC, get a hifi music streamer.

I reckon this can sound absurd to some, just like cables sounding different sounds absurd to some. At this point this is not an exchange of views anymore, so I'll leave it here. There are plenty of people at specialized fora stating this, and I have experienced it myself. Maybe we are all delusional.

For those interested, check out computeraudiophile.com or jplay forum. I'm more than willing to help those intrigued/interested with what I know, but I'm in no way on a crusade to turn folks into believers.

Actually I take all that back. Running Quicken on my PC and examining my hifi equipment purchase history while listening to music is a terrible combo. Lots of jitter, so to speak.

Yeap, all power amps measuring the same sound the same, all bit-perfect software players sound the same, yadda-yadda. Ignorance is a bliss...for some.