[Texbychoice]

Would appreciate some education.  Tired of buying a CD or vinyl for 1 or 2 tracks.  Interested in how to get into the hardware for digital source material without breaking the bank.   

First, assume will need a DAC to feed my audio pre amp.  Then digital files to run through the DAC.  Already have a computer with fast internet to acquire the digital files. Don't want the computer anywhere near the audio equipment.

Possibilities as best I understand.

1.  DAC that will process files from a USB stick
2.  DAC with some amount of internal storage for digital files.
3.  Stand alone mass storage music server connected to DAC.
4.  Streaming music server connected to internet supplying material to DAC.

DIY suggestions welcome along with commercial products.  Thanks.

[aldcoll]

Great list to get some input.  Might add the most important item as to Budget.
That can be DIY for $100 ×/- for a Pi or the sky is the limit.


Alan

[timind]

If you're intent is simply to listen to digital files, get a streamer and subscribe to Tidal, Qobuz, or Amazon HD and listen to just about anything you wish. You don't state a price so I'll suggest the reasonably priced Bluesound Node 2i. It can be hooked directly to your preamp and the onboard dac is passable.

Hard to imagine anything simpler.