"Dedicating the computer to audio playback only is the preferred route so you can eliminate other processes that cause internal noise. Using the same computer for ripping and playback is not ideal. You can rip at any other computer, copy the files into a flash drive, and copy them into the audio computer."
The most absurd thing I've read on the internet in many months. Seriously folks, if there was ever a device designed to do many things at once, it is a computer. a GENERAL PURPOSE computing device. Internal processes causing audible noise? Oh yeah, you should NEVER run Excel while listening to music. Please.
Sure, mechanical devices inside the chassis can make noise and quieter fans and SSDs can address that, but the primary reason for SSD use should be for performance, not db reduction. If your fans make noise, replace them with Noctua's. Water cooling is for over-clockers.
You can fiddle with DirectSound/ASIO/WASAPI playback settings if your player supports them but if you're so concerned about noise from your PC, get a hifi music streamer.
The most absurd thing I've read on the internet in many months. Seriously folks, if there was ever a device designed to do many things at once, it is a computer. a GENERAL PURPOSE computing device. Internal processes causing audible noise? Oh yeah, you should NEVER run Excel while listening to music. Please.
Sure, mechanical devices inside the chassis can make noise and quieter fans and SSDs can address that, but the primary reason for SSD use should be for performance, not db reduction. If your fans make noise, replace them with Noctua's. Water cooling is for over-clockers.
You can fiddle with DirectSound/ASIO/WASAPI playback settings if your player supports them but if you're so concerned about noise from your PC, get a hifi music streamer.