What PC, Laptop, or Music Server is best for audio?

[Energy]

For a long time I've had my gaming computer plugged into my DAC. It wasn't very quiet, as it had 9 fans in it. Those fans also added noise to the power lines thus affecting the USB output.

Now that its sold, I need a replacement. Something that is more capable of audiophile needs. Something fanless...

What I don't need is a overpowered music server (pc) running independent linear power supplies but I do need something quiet like a macbook or a regular music server, preferably a small one. Can anyone shoot me towards the right direction?

Issue is I don't use Apple/MacBook. I'm a Windows guy. And unfortunately nowadays many slimmer fanless laptops are lacking USB output. Even when they have one, it's usually TYPE-C meaning I'll have to make another cable just to connect my DAC.

I was thinking the Dell XPS 13. Any ideas?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

For a long time I've had my gaming computer plugged into my DAC. It wasn't very quiet, as it had 9 fans in it. Those fans also added noise to the power lines thus affecting the USB output.

Now that its sold, I need a replacement. Something that is more capable of audiophile needs. Something fanless...

What I don't need is a overpowered music server (pc) running independent linear power supplies but I do need something quiet like a macbook or a regular music server, preferably a small one. Can anyone shoot me towards the right direction?

Issue is I don't use Apple/MacBook. I'm a Windows guy. And unfortunately nowadays many slimmer fanless laptops are lacking USB output. Even when they have one, it's usually TYPE-C meaning I'll have to make another cable just to connect my DAC.

I was thinking the Dell XPS 13. Any ideas?

 
Is it just for a music server or are you actually going to work on it? Because you can spend $200 on an NUC instead of however much the XPS13 costs.

 

[Energy]

 
Is it just for a music server or are you actually going to work on it? Because you can spend $200 on an NUC instead of however much the XPS13 costs.

 
It was either a laptop that did it all, or a cheap computer/server to run music off of.
 
If using a laptop, I would have to be firm planted to the table otherwise the USB can't be connected to the DAC so that's a buzz kill. Your idea of a NUC is greatly appreciated. That can work.
 
Question is, is that strong enough to play J.River or HQPlayer without issues? Is it good enough to upsample if called for?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

 
Question is, is that strong enough to play J.River or HQPlayer without issues? Is it good enough to upsample if called for?

 

I haven't heard of any NUC music server running out of processor power or RAM to run those, but it's not like people are multitasking on them either. 

 

As for upsampling, don't bother. That just risks  adding noise artifacts. If you have high res files they'll ship out as they are.

 

If you really want upsampling and maybe DSP tweaks, go with an Android miniPC, and run Neutron Music Player. Paremtric EQ, 64bit DSP, upsamples to 32/384 I think.

 

[Music Alchemist]

I've done a lot of research on this topic. Reportedly, the best are:
 
Network player:
http://www.sotm-audio.com/sotmwp/english/shop/sms-200/
 
Music server:
https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/collections/audio-server/products/sonictransporter-i5
 
That network player beat ones that cost five figures. Here's the type of thing I'm talking about:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/787020/review-comparison-of-5-high-end-digital-music-servers-aurender-n10-cad-cat-server-totaldac-d1-server-auralic-aries-audiophile-vortex-box
 
Some who own these types of network players tell me that the music server you use with it doesn't affect the sound and that you can just use a basic laptop as a control point if you want. Others disagree and say the sonicTransporter improves the sound.
 
As for upsampling, Chord DACs are a lot better for that than HQPlayer.
 
Then again, you seem to be looking for a more affordable solution. Shouldn't have asked what's "best" in the thread title.

 

[MichaelKnight]

Here's an option: Raspberry Pi 3b with an Hifiberry board and a good linear power supply

 

[Music Alchemist]

  Here's an option: Raspberry Pi 3b with an Hifiberry board and a good linear power supply

 
Yeah, that could work. I've used the Raspberry Pi before, using my laptop and web browser to control the interface.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

 
Some who own these types of network players tell me that the music server you use with it doesn't affect the sound and that you can just use a basic laptop as a control point if you want. Others disagree and say the sonicTransporter improves the sound.

 
You really set these up more for the UI and file access than sound quality considering the output is digital without any modifications (unless you set it to do so).