[funch]

I have decided to get a small, cheap laptop to use exclusively for music. My LG tablet will run Spotify to my
Yggy via USB, but I need a Windows (or Mac) system for the driver for my M2Tech HiFace Evo, so I can run
AES. I'm currently using a Dell laptop, but want a dedicated music computer.

Any recommendations? Understand that I'm just barely computer savvy, but am trainable; according to my
wife anyway.

 

[jerick70]

How much do you want to spend?

 

[funch]

No more than $300.

 

[jerick70]

Your not going to get much of a new laptop for that amount. You can look at used on Ebay.

You may want to look at a Raspberry Pi build. Install Runeaudio with an ALLO BOSS DAC, and a 7" screen and you have a sweet little media server with touch controls. This will be less than $300.

 

[bfreedma]

If you're willing to consider used or refurbished, there are some good Windows based laptops available. Otherwise, a Chromebook is a good option but you're going to have to live with the Chrome OS - nothing wrong with it, but less support, particularly if you are a relative novice.

If you're willing to consider something other than a laptop, an Intel NUC is an option - you can run it headless (no monitor/keyboard/mouse) and control it with apps via your tablet.

 

[jerick70]

No more than $300.

FYI see my post above about the Raspberry Pi 3 media server. Cost is $238.71 on Amazon right now. You can access the server from your tablet too. Mount it anywhere in your house and use the touchscreen to play music or media anywhere network connected.

If you need assistance setting it up I would be happy to help.....

 

[funch]

I did a bit of research on the Pi, and it seems I'm going to have to do a lot more, as I'm not terribly computer savvy. The home network thing has me curious, but baffled, so help would be
greatly appreciated.

I did try to find the Pi item you referenced above, but couldn't find anything at that price point, so I'm assuming that it is a collection of different items.

 

[Ekul61]

Been there. The problem is the small 13” are expensive. Usually the deals are on “15. U might find something for 400. The 500 solid state seem to be more popular. At 300 it’s a slow processor. With minimal storage.

 

[jerick70]

I did a bit of research on the Pi, and it seems I'm going to have to do a lot more, as I'm not terribly computer savvy. The home network thing has me curious, but baffled, so help would be
greatly appreciated.

I did try to find the Pi item you referenced above, but couldn't find anything at that price point, so I'm assuming that it is a collection of different items.

Hi Funch,

Here is a part list of what hardware you'll need to build a Pi media server:

1) Raspberry Pi 3B - $36.38 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CD5VC92/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A6EGA15UEFYEQ
2) Allo Boss DAC - $62.99 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07191SYFH/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A19MRELPGC5OXX
3) Official Raspberry Pi 7" Display - $73.39 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0153R2A9I/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A30ZYR2W3VAJ0A
4) Sandisk 32 GB Micro SD Card - $11.99 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073JWXGNT/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
5) 5V 3A Power Supply - $9.99 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N336XEU/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A58CYGLHVFKXW
6) Case - $27.99 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HV97F64/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2X1D4SL6QV6N5
7) Standoffs - $5.99 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0721SP83Q/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3OWUO30LQJ1NE
8) Micro USB Splitter - $6.00 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ISLNSH0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Total $234.72 + shipping and tax

You will also need these pieces of software:

1) Etcher to burn the RuneAudio Image to the SD Card - https://etcher.io/
2) RuenAudio Image - http://www.runeaudio.com/download/
or
3) Volumio - https://volumio.org/ (you may like this distro better that Runeaudio)

 

[funch]

Do I need the DAC if I have one
(Yggy)?

 

[jerick70]

Do I need the DAC if I have one
(Yggy)?

You don't have to purchase the DAC. The media server functions will work without it. I like to have a separate DAC so I can use my desktop DAC on my PC. Then you can have audio playing from the media server and your PC.

 

[funch]

The reason I would build this is to get away from using my PC for audio, and have a dedicated music source.

So far, what you've posted seems like what I'm looking for. Can I still use Spotify or Tidal? I'm assuming so.

 

[jerick70]

The reason I would build this is to get away from using my PC for audio, and have a dedicated music source.

So far, what you've posted seems like what I'm looking for. Can I still use Spotify or Tidal? I'm assuming so.

It's a really nice little system. I have two Pis right now. One for my media server and one for experimentation.

Yes you can play Spotify and Tidal using Runeaudio and Volumio. You have to install the correct plugins though. Tell me if you are going to run RuneAudio or Volumio and I'll point you to the plugins.

One thing you are going to need to think about is where are you going to store your music? Tidal and Spotify don't need storage space but your FLACs, DSD, and other media files will need space. You can buy a USB drive to store your media and attach it to the Pi.

On that note, I like to use Roon personally and use my media server as a RoonBridge. You do have to have a PC that runs Roon though. I use my desktop PC as a Roon server and then use my R Pi to plug all of my DACs into, then output to my pre. You can hook up a total of 4 DACs in the Pi default config. It works really well and you break the USB JuJu chain like a microRendu does at a fraction of the cost.

Here is a diagram of what I'm talking about so you can visualize it.

Desktop PC -> Roon Server (Software on Desktop PC) -> Ethernet Network -> Raspberry Pi (RoonBridge and Media Server) -> Schiit Yggy ( attached to R Pi via USB Cable) -> Preamp ( Attached to Yggy via RCAs ) -> Power Amp -> Headphones or Speakers

 

[jerick70]

On the storage for your media I would look at something that does RAID so if you have one of your drives die you won't loose your media. This can get a little expensive though. Take a look at this inexpensive RAID solution. Other RAID solutions cost quite a bit more.

RAID 1 enclosure - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P2UAQ3E/ref=psdc_160354011_t5_B01GVVC59A
2 X 1.5 TB drives - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KY9M6FY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1GV4DXS40X1A5&psc=1

 

[jmkeuning]

The reason I would build this is to get away from using my PC for audio, and have a dedicated music source.

So far, what you've posted seems like what I'm looking for. Can I still use Spotify or Tidal? I'm assuming so.

You could also pick up a Logitech Squeezebox Touch. It runs server software so your music could sit on your laptop but you would play it from another source. You can get the squeezebox touch on ebay for about $150.