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Didnt realize Paul is now offering a V3 USB card that looks very interesting but cost over $400.
Also for prebuilt machines -http://shop.smallgreencomputer.com/Computer-Audiophile-Pocket-Server_c5.htm
Mike, I did something like you're considering about 3 years ago. I knew what I wanted to do, but I really didn't have a good handle on what products to use to get it done...hence my introduction to Computer Audiophile. I read lots and finally figured that having someone else do the proof of concept and parts vetting was worth it. Also it was helpful to have a community where I could ask questions and be on the same page as others. I think I posted a few times here as well.I waited for the second generation of CAPs and took the plunge with a CAPs Carbon.http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/496-computer-audiophile-pocket-server-c-p-s-v3-carbon/I think the motherboard this used is NLA, but Chris is onto next generation of stuff anyway. Here's my take away: I'd built computers before so only the form factor was new to me as far as assembly. It took some time to get it sorted as I had some difficulty getting the SOtM card functional. In fact I never did get it working and Sonore was gracious enough to take it back. I really don't know what the problem was but went a little different route by using an iFi iUSB and Gemini cable. I learned lots along the way, but really don't have what I'd call a great depth of knowledge on music servers in general so I'm glad there are people willing to help. It is a computer after all and they seem to enjoy throwing curve balls from time to time just to watch their operators squirm. I'm glad I did it and have considered building one of the next generation, but I don't know that I'd actually gain much in terms of sound quality. My next big audio expenditure will be speakers from our favorite designer. FWIW, I find the JRiver interface on PC kinda clunky, but the JRemote for iOS is easy to love. Best use of an iPad I've found!
You might want to contact AC member HAL. He builds a very fine music server that many of our members use. And it's much cheaper than the smallgreencomputer stuff.
MikeWhat's your budget, and how much work are you willing to do?I put a lot of work into my PC as a tradeoff to keeping my dollar costs down.I'm also on the lunatic fringe, I have a PC that is powered by linear PS's, with a PCIE to USB card that I modded myself to run on linear power.Randy
While I understand that some folks WANT a high end server involved, I found it insightful that none over at CA suggested that if you are using a streamer that the quality of the server is that relevant from an SQ perspective.I only raise it, as I find it easier and more affordable to build/buy a good streamer than a good server.If you are dead set on building up a good server (and frankly I get that) I think the HAL solution might be well worth exploring.
Did you plan on Windows 7 or Windows 8 for this?
Hi MikeHere's what my PC looks likehttp://randytsuch-audio.blogspot.com/2014/09/pc-built-for-audio-playback-2014.htmlBut I need to update the information there, I have made some changes, mostly adding relays to make it easier to power on and off. I was up the 5 switches plus the power button to turn it on , now I have two switches.Note that I made a very different PC a year ago, fanless with an intel server motherboard and ECC DDR3. Much of this was based on what guys discuss at the Jplay forum. But I had some heat issues with fanless and the server motherboard chipset, and later I had USB issues which I never could resolve, so I changed to a different mb which is supposed to be friendly to using non ATX compliant power supplies. I built my own linear power supplies, so I wanted a mb which would work, and this one was proven to not care much about how I power it up.Most people at Jplay use Intel processors. The recommended processor over there is a lower power Xeon. There have been comparisons, and the Xeon sounded better. I've seen theories that maybe the bigger Xeon cache helps sound, but no one really knows why. The other nice thing (to me) about the intel processor is that most of them have built in graphics, so no graphics card is necessary. I'm of the opinion that for the best PC audio, minimalist is better, so I like not having a graphics card. This also lets you use mini itx or micro atx motherboards, again something I consider a good thing.As shown in my page, I don't have a xeon installed, but I bought one a little while ago, and need to try it soon. I just want to make some other mods to my MB first, and I haven't gotten around to those yet.Another thing they recommend at Jplay forum is ECC ram, along with an Intel server MB, but as I said, for some reason I didn't have good luck with that combination. And there are a bunch of other tweaks/mods that are discussed. Powering your OS SSD off of battery, Windows Server 2012 or 2012R2 as the OS, Audiophile optimizer, different audio playback software, modding your own PCIE/USB card (I have done this also).One other place I visit for ideas is the Tir Na Hifi forum. I learned about the PCIE USB card mod, and much about options for linear power to a motherboard over there.on cases. I started with a small case designed for fanless use. Later I recycled a much larger case meant for a HTPC. I have ripped out most of the HTPC stuff from it, and just use it for a big case to experiment in. It has worked well for me because it gives me enough room to add in any tweaks I want to try. I just have a processor fan, that is all I need to keep it cool. I think I'm drawing around 30 watts, so there isn't much power to worry about.Randy
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=131698.msg1393647;topicseen#newGood buy.
