I really feel Davide256 has begun an important conversation. With the prevalence, convenience and potential quality of Windows-based playback using an asynchronous USB interface, I too ask this very question.
A quality, Intel i5-based Windows 7 Pro OS laptop with 8 GB RAM can be had for $600 - a perfect machine for dedicated music playback by JRiver et al. A comparable, Intel i5 or i7 (which many players such as J River recommend) dedicated "music PC" built around the SOtM tX-USB cost more than that in parts and almost 3x pre-built.
I use a dedicated Windows 7 laptop with J River for my home office-based headphone set-up. For my main system, I have a SB Touch.
I don't have answers, but definitely would like to educated on this forum.
Thanks.
A quality, Intel i5-based Windows 7 Pro OS laptop with 8 GB RAM can be had for $600 - a perfect machine for dedicated music playback by JRiver et al. A comparable, Intel i5 or i7 (which many players such as J River recommend) dedicated "music PC" built around the SOtM tX-USB cost more than that in parts and almost 3x pre-built.
I use a dedicated Windows 7 laptop with J River for my home office-based headphone set-up. For my main system, I have a SB Touch.
I don't have answers, but definitely would like to educated on this forum.
Thanks.