Hello all,
I want to store digital music files on a computer, receive streaming audio, and listen to both through my existing stereo hi-fi system (Yamaha R-S700 stereo (2.1 channel) receiver, Yamaha CDR-HD 1000 hard drive CD recorder/player, and a pair of Paradigm Studio 10 speakers). I have an old laptop: Toshiba Satellite Pro M70-GM3 (PM-750 1.86 GHz -- Dothan Class, 512mb DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 80GB 5400rpm SATA Hitachi HDD, IEEE 1394 port (4-pin), headphone jack port, and USB 2.0 ports.
The laptop is placed about 25 feet from the receiver and wire-connecting them is impractical. Besides, the laptop is quite old. So, I am thinking buying or building a computer that is dedicated to music and can be placed by the receiver. My Yamaha receiver does not have a digital input port (my hard-drive recorder has). So, I suppose analog connection would be the only option?
My questions are: What type of computer is suitable, its minimum requirement for reproducing good quality sound, and how much should I be prepared to invest? Can you recommend specific hardware?
My preferred genre of music is classical.
I use the system only in my sitting room. There is no need to extend the system to another room. I know audio components reasonably well but have no experience with computer-based audio. Although I am computer-illiterate, my son is knowledgeable. So, with my son’s assistance, I would understand technical things that may be used in the respondent’s statement.
Thank you for your time!
