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Avoid putting a computer in your system if you can. A few years ago I kept looking at streaming devices and what they were comprised of and thought to myself that I could build a better solution for the same or less with much higher grade components. I tried it. I was happy with it. Over $2,000 invested in a dedicated PC with 1.5 TB SSD storage, no moving parts/fans outside of the BD-ROM, and an external power supply.After 18 months, I decided to pick up AURALiC as a product line. I put the Aries in my main system and it was like a revelation. The electrical noise floor dropped so substantially that I couldn't comprehend what was going on. I still use my PC, but I don't use it in a 2 channel system. It was a big waste of $$$ and I tell customers constantly to avoid making the same mistake.Not every streamer is a good fit though. While the AURALiC gear does exceptionally well with the noise, I have not heard the same about another big entry-level streaming device on the market. Their device was a direct competitor to the Aries Mini and I've had nothing but complaints from those who have owned the 'other' brand. Unfortunately the Mini is discontinued so the 'other' brand has no direct competitor on the market at that $500 target.If you are thinking like I did and believe you can best a well designed, well thought out and optimized streamer, please, PLEASE get that idea out of your head. It will only lead to a poor investment that you will regret if you ever get a dedicated streamer in the system.
With all due respect, I don't think most of us went out and dropped $2K on a PC based server. My Lenovo i5 powered Desktop (rather modest and used concurrently for work etc) sits right next to my amps and pre. I just did some tweeks, got a decent USB cable and bought jRiver. It sounds great. I have had a "dedicated" laptop as a server and that stunk- mostly due to Win 10 vs driver(s) vs jRiver. I would like to build a Mac server, but then I like these type of projects. However to your point, I think a great end goal is a designed streamer. I like what Jim Salk came up with. At the moment though, I'm getting good results from my home grown apparatus.
I've been using a PC for digital audio playback since 2002 - long before USB DACs arrived. I used a simple USB to S/PDIF converter that was available then to my Counterpoint DAC. Not the best setup, but at that time convenience and ease of use were more important.I've tried a couple of different dedicated players/streamers since then - still have a Pioneer N50, though I don't use it much. The setup has improved with the arrival of the USB dacs and better playback software and the sound has improved. I just prefer the convenience of using a PC with its larger screen and being able to create playlists quickly using a mouse vs having to have a phone or touchscreen tablet jacked into the network or having to rely on the tiny displays of most player/streamers.I also like the fact that I am able to choose what dac I listen to vs the one in the player/streamer. Yes you can add a dac to those, but why pay twice to get the sound you want. Anyway, just my two, two and half cents worth.
