A list of PC Build Components to Rival a Server/Streamer

[CageyH]

You don’t need a serious PC for a music server/streamer.
Although not the ultimate solution, I am using an old socket 775 based processor with an Asus Essence STX II sound card, and for the money it sounds really good. This is fed directly into my pre amp. You could probably do similar with your old PC?

If starting from scratch, I would go fanless PC for a music server with either Windows 10 seriously cut down on functionality, or Linux or similar. Then I would get a more serious PC for photo editing.

[Damian]

Been there done that with both PCs, old laptops, Raspberry Pis etc and to be honest you might be better investing in a decent streamer (with Spotity, Tidal support) and attach your storage to your router and get the streamer to access that.....far, far less hassle. I'm not denying the build, the config and initial working is fun but it gets tedious with updates/patches and the constantly fiddling i was doing.

[Smegger68]

I have a Home Theatre PC in my living room which I also use for Oculus Rift gaming. My old Theta DAC doesn't have a USB input so the best method has been to employ an HDMI breakout box between the PC and the HT receiver. This sends S/PDIF straight to the Theta. Using WASAPI settings in Kodi it sounds better than my CXU streaming the same files

[Edward]

Tons of way of achieving what you want to do.

FWIW this is my current setup having in the past tried various combinations including one dual purpose machine for general stuff including photo editing, browsing, storage etc.

- Server: Xeon Win 10 machine with 20gb RAM serving as storage (music, vids, docs etc), running stuff like Roon Core, Plex, JRiver, VPN etc.

-Music/Vid renderer: Fanless/headless ITX Win 10 with 4gb RAM. all non essential programs/services turned off. One button operation. Music output USB to DAC, Vid output HDMI.

Different computer for editing, work, Skype etc

Main machines linked via Ethernet.

Main lesson I learnt was to split tasks to different machines (server, renderer etc), particularly true to obtain stutter free and high quality music/video output.

But as mentioned many other ways to achieve same outcomes.

[Yomanze]

Photo editing is an area where most optimised media servers can fall a bit flat. For this reason I think a minimum of a Core i3 is necessary, and a dedicated graphics card. With a bit of attention to the power supply and a big enough passive heatsink for the PSU, it can be built fanless.

[struth]

My old i5 does everything. Lol

Music photos browsing vpn the lot. It has a fan. Both my monos have fans. Even the power inspired has a fan. Can get noisy. Lol

[Qwin]

[QUOTE=ReggieB;1019020]OK - so if you go the PC route - which way to go:

1. USB out - and if so what flavour of USB - 2 or 3. Also how to ensure cleanest signal - use motherboard sockets or is a child board a better option
2. Or Sound card out?

Use neither, build a silent PC (fanless) and use the Pink Faun i2s Audio Bridge (PCIe card) and send the i2s to a good external DAC. Use Audirvana A+ Audio player as it turns off a lot of Windows services while playing music. You can also integrate some of the streaming services like Qobuz or Tidal into this player.

Its a route I have as a back up plan if I am not happy with the results from plan A. Which is......

An SBC into Allo Kali i2s re-clocker HAT, into Audio GD i2s line driver (HDMI socket), into my PS Audio Stellar DAC/Pre i2s input. Audio Player Options will need investigating using the actual set up. Just about to pull the trigger on the SBC (Odroid C2).

Do all your storage, which ever option, over a wired network (Gigabit) and attach a NAS unit attached to your Broadband router/hub. This avoids the need for any USB or SPDIF in the audio chain.