by far the cheapest way to get good sound quality is the Sonos connect combined with the Empirical Audio Synchro-Mesh reclocker. Inserts between the Sonos and the DAC. Synchro-Mesh is only $599.00
It can be further upgraded as you have funds by adding the Dynamo power supply and BNC-BNC coax cable. $699 and $250 respectively. With both upgrades it is a world-class source. 30-day money-back on all of these, less shipping.
If you are intent on playing hi-res downloads, then the computer or server driving USB out to a USB DAC or USB converter to S/PDIF coax is the best solution. It is a lot more expensive and involves more work, but will ultimately surpass the SQ of the Sonos/Synchro-Mesh.
Just buying an off-the-shelf server/streamer and using it to drive your system will not equal the SQ of the Sonos/Synchro-Mesh combo and it will cost a lot more.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
It can be further upgraded as you have funds by adding the Dynamo power supply and BNC-BNC coax cable. $699 and $250 respectively. With both upgrades it is a world-class source. 30-day money-back on all of these, less shipping.
If you are intent on playing hi-res downloads, then the computer or server driving USB out to a USB DAC or USB converter to S/PDIF coax is the best solution. It is a lot more expensive and involves more work, but will ultimately surpass the SQ of the Sonos/Synchro-Mesh.
Just buying an off-the-shelf server/streamer and using it to drive your system will not equal the SQ of the Sonos/Synchro-Mesh combo and it will cost a lot more.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio