I’m planning to switch from my current CD player to a computer based digital front end and need some advice before I hit the "buy it now" button. My PC and storage are on my office, and my stereo is in a separate listening room. For esthetic reasons, I don’t want to have a lot of computer equipment in the listening room. Here is what I have tentatively decided on. Advice is welcome.
Storage: Music files stored on a Synology 412+ in my office. Synology linked to the router by gigabit Ethernet cable.
Router: To be connected to a computer in the listening room by an Ethernet cable. Alternative: might try a wireless connection at first to see if it sounds ok (easier than running an Ethernet cable to the listening room).
Computer: To be located in the listening room, in order to be able to connect it to the DAC with a USB cable. Options: either a new Mac Mini with 16gbs of RAM and a SSD, or an HP EliteDesk running headless with similar specs. I’m agnostic between PC and Mac, and was leaning toward the Mac until last month’s Absolute Sound which had an article saying that the PCs sounded better than the Mac.
Software: JR Media Center.
Remote control: Ipad. Question: If I use an HP in the listening room, are there any issues controlling it with an Ipad? What application to use for the control?
DAC: Output of PC/Mac into asynchronous USB port of Oppo 105d with Modwright modifications. Output of Oppo 105 into preamp.
The goal is to set up something that is not harder to use than the CD player and hopefully that sounds better. Since I haven’t bought any this stuff yet, I can have the PC/Mac configured when I buy it, but I’m not planning to upgrade parts myself. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance for your help
