Were they specific about which Linux? There's a heck of a lot of them.
If you get a live boot CD, you can run it directly from the CD without installing just to try things out. I've done it loads of times.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Linux-Min...53.m1438.l2649
Oliver,
another point of view from a Young owner...
I tried all the inputs and the best sounding was the XLR.
USB was good, but privy to gremlins like dirty 5V supply, cable quality and the like.
AC POWER
Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
AMPS
Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
SPEAKERS
Wharfedale Evo 4.4
DAC
PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
TURNTABLE
Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
PHONOSTAGE
Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
DIGITAL
OPPO 203 (Modded: Linear PSU, i2s output to Dac) - Roon Endpoint, HDMI input used for all things Streaming/ PS5 /AppleTV ... also good for movies apparently?
MUSIC PLAYBACK
Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
Ipad Roon Remote.
Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
SPEAKER CABLES
Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
INTERCONNECTS
All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables
Buy a used Windows 7 laptop from CEX or the like, plenty about. The other suggestion is go down the converter route but keep in mind many use drivers as well and older ones may present you with the same issues being incompatible with Windows 10. I have had some issues with a Windows 8.1 laptop with a few I own, but not so much that they didn't work, this included an older JK converter and funnily enough a Young Converter.
USB driver compatibility with older USB DACs is not something often mentioned, as is suitability of latest versions of Windows. Of course MAC users will be smug about this, to a degree, but I have read of some issues with recent MACs over older MACS. Don't ask what as I can't recall details as I am not a MAC user.
Computer audio is a pain in the ass and its issues like this that confirms in my mind to stick with physical media as long as I can, and that said from someone who does have more than a toe dipped into computer/file playback.
Regards Neil
Thanks for this.
I did think I may just build a new set of shelves and get a transport, as is the quality. I'm bowled over by it to be fair. I'm very reluctant to let it go.
Yes, power running in the same cable as a signal is usually a big no-no.
Ok, old laptop, cd transport it is.
Gary, XLR? OK, good job I can make some cables