Looking at the computer audio logical next steps as it applies to my system is a little befuddling to me and I'd appreciate others' thoughts.
Currently running a CAPS Carbon which was facilitated my intro into computer Audio. I purposely followed the path described in a couple of articles on Computer Audiophile because that seemed to make the most sense given my near total lack of knowledge. JRiver was chosen as player for the same reasons. This was a good introduction and opened my eyes to a new realm of audio. It has mostly served me well, although the computer itself seems to require tending more than I'd like. Also while it has it's strong points Jriver seems to offer more utility than I'll ever want or need (read too many choices) and all that potential sort of conflicts with my desire to employ the KISS principle to the whole morass.
I have a portable hard drive that contains my library which is connected to the CAPs. I have an absolute clone to that drive that acts as a backup and is only used when ripping discs. USB output is sent to a Wyred 4 Sound DAC2 with an iFi iUSB and split cable in between the two.
The microRendu looks like a useful device, but if I'm understanding its installation right, it adds yet another link to the chain, which contradicts my desire to KISS. Perhaps I'm looking at it wrong...advice here appreciated.
Roon also looks intriguing to me, as does Tidal, but it's yet more expense and, well, I'm conscious of the whole rabbit hole that computer audio (and audio in general) seems to be and that makes me shy away.
Should I purchase the Rendu, it seems to me I would have a music server that's redundant and just adds another layer of potential problems and frustration. Although, I've gotta have a computer to install a player on, right? I'm fuzzy on this aspect, as well.
I'm guessing there are some here who've trampled the same path and have found something closer to audio (equipment) bliss. I'd love to hear those stories along with suggestions. Is KISS a worthy goal? Am I pipe dreaming to think I can have greatness and simplicity in the same system?