Computer Upgrade

Mac Mini with asynch USB DAC is the least challenging solution to get right for computer audio. PC's require a EE degree to get past all the things they do intrinsically wrong out of the box.

Asynchronous USB DAC and network streaming (WiFi, Ethernet) have one thing in common - they change "music" to "data" by removing timing. When timing is recreated on the other side of the bridge (or inside USB DAC) computer's speed, amount of RAM etc. become irrelevant (saving money).

Asynchronous USB sounds like it should solve all the problems but it really doesn't. The reclocking inside a dac creates packet noise which creates jitter which can effect the sound. My Metrum Hex is asynchronous but the choice of the source computer still made a major difference in the quality of sound.
Alan

Arh is spot on. Packets KILL the audio sound. USB was created to connect peripherials. Now, the interface is used to keep customer service costs down as no one needs to open up their computers ever again. I am a student that if is easy, it can't be the absolute best (or at least, let me try something harder to see if it is BETTER). That USB is like a belly button - every puter has one (or a hand full). Me - I'm unique.

I'm not sure what is the "Packet Noise" and what
it has to do with the quality of the computer (faster
computers tend to create more of electrical noise).
Computer sends frame of data to DAC every millisecond
increasing or decreasing number of samples per frame upon
signal coming from the DAC when amount of data in the buffer
is below or above certain value (over/under flow control).
This data from the computer goes to buffer on digital side
of the DAC. Buffered data goes to A/D converter and is
clocked at internal DAC clock that is COMPLETELY independent
from the computer and the whole transfer operation. This
clock should be well isolated from the system noise and if
it isn't and becomes jittery then buy another DAC, because
this one is poorly executed.