Optimising a Windows computer for audio playback.

[John]

Try MQn its free and most people prefer it to Jplay

[Gazjam]

Wee bit off-topic(ish) but worth mentioning I think.
You can get good results with software, but I think its its well worth looking at how your server's powered? Get the "infrastructure" sorted first and I think you'll be in a better position to appreciate all the incremental tweaks software can bring.

Biggest jump for me recently was going "all linear" powered on a new server build.
My previous box doubled as a games machine so had a standard (though very high quality) Seasonic ATX supply, as well as a fanless graphics card in there.
Built a new one, all change.

Strictly music 'n movies, took the opportunity to rethink how it was powered.
Added extra feeds from the balanced mains and I'm powering it with separate linear supply's for the MB, CPU and both SSD drives. Another one is powering my usb card.
Its all hard wired fed directly from the balanced mains unit.
Nice step up, I think improving the source is really making the most of the rest of my system.

Well worth having a think about imo, get rid of those switch mode power supplies!

[John]

Yes Tim reported similar benefits