This is a great thread and exactly what I'm looking for. I've got a pretty decent Hi Fi system, and I'm tired of playing CD's on my Rega Apollo. Two thing I would like to know is should I use/ build a stand alone PC (Win7) or use laptop (Win8.1) to connect to my NAD pre-amplifier to play all my music usinbg Jriver 16?
The laptop is ready to go and the PC would take my about 2 hrs to build not that difficult, but in the long run what would be better a Sound card on the PC or a USB DAC between the laptop and the NAD. I'm going to use Jriver 16 and the app on the ipad to interface with it works great I love it. All files are FLAC and MP3's. I know if I connect my laptop through the headphone out to the NAD it's going to sound bad. All any sound cards or DAC recommendations.