Hi,
After a bit of web research I decided this looks like the place to get the latest on what to do, so just joined this forum in the hope of some good advice from folks here who really know the current products / technologies and options. I have decided to move into the present and have a go with a music server. What I want to be able to do is control my entire digital music collection (and ideally download his res music, listen to internet radio and access streaming service like Tidal) from a tablet on my lap.
Current system is dCS Elgar Plus DAC, Krell KCT preamp, Krell FPB 400cx Power amp and Wilson Audio Watt Puppy (series 7) Speakers. This new digital system needs to be in line with the quality of the overall system and I THINK the initial task would be to choose a USB to SPDIF converter to convert the USB signal from the computer (possibly mac mini) to SPDIF into the Elgar. I have read great things about the Berkeley Alpha USB on the web (and here) but most of those articles are a bit old now so not sure if this is still the case, plus I am not sure I can get one of these in the UK (Berkeley do not appear to have UK distributors).
Once I have a USB to SPDIF converter, I think I then need a dedicated music computer and I was thinking mac mini as it's small, I already have a spare keyboard, mouse and screen and I read it makes a decent solution. However my main PC is Windows and I guess it would be more convenient if I could find an equally good (or better) Windows solution. Finally I would need a tablet to control it all. That solution is likely the easiest but would not give me internet radio or a streaming solution. Unfortunately I cannot afford to upgrade the current dCS kit (also have a CD transport) to a Rossini, so interested to hear what the current options might be if anyone has suggestions?
