Good used laptop -$400-$500
JRiver Media Center -- $50
Decent USB Cable like Wireworld
Used Benchmark DAC2 - $1000
Rip CD's thru JRiver to FLAC and you're good to go for CD's. Then browse over to Radio Paradise (set stream to FLAC) and then try the free trial of Qobuz or Tidal.
I have Windows Remote Desktop running from my Android tablet to the laptop, and configured the laptop to bridge between Ethernet and wireless, so I can use Ethernet for stream sources, and use Wireless to remote the tablet. Now sitting in the chair effortlessly choosing between stream input and ripped Cd and getting spectacular sound. I just like the Windows User Interface, and the browser let's me find lots of sound sources (like reading news about artists that has links to their songs or albums..)
I've yet to be convincd that a dedicated streamer improves SQ significantly over a Laptop when you're going into something as good as a Benchmark DAC...but I'm open-minded.
JRiver Media Center -- $50
Decent USB Cable like Wireworld
Used Benchmark DAC2 - $1000
Rip CD's thru JRiver to FLAC and you're good to go for CD's. Then browse over to Radio Paradise (set stream to FLAC) and then try the free trial of Qobuz or Tidal.
I have Windows Remote Desktop running from my Android tablet to the laptop, and configured the laptop to bridge between Ethernet and wireless, so I can use Ethernet for stream sources, and use Wireless to remote the tablet. Now sitting in the chair effortlessly choosing between stream input and ripped Cd and getting spectacular sound. I just like the Windows User Interface, and the browser let's me find lots of sound sources (like reading news about artists that has links to their songs or albums..)
I've yet to be convincd that a dedicated streamer improves SQ significantly over a Laptop when you're going into something as good as a Benchmark DAC...but I'm open-minded.