I agree that a PC or or MAC or linux computer will not be ideal for sound quality. But I noted in my comment "and with a couple of tweaks, can probably match the sound quality of popular streamers, without breaking the bank."
The above can be accomplished via a digital-to-digital converter, which would be doable within @12many’s $1,600 budget.
In a review from The Absolute Sound, Robert Harley wrote:
"I know a longtime industry veteran who travels the world setting up and fine-tuning state-of-the-art systems. He carries with him his laptop loaded with music—and an Alpha USB. Whatever DAC is on hand in the system is greatly improved with the addition of the Alpha USB. He wouldn’t think of doing a setup without it."
The DDC that Robert Harley reviewed would exceed @12man’s budget. But there are DDC’s at budget friendly price points that get excellent reviews.
All streamers, at any price, are feeding DACs data that originated from someone else’s computer. So as long as the last hop to the DAC filters out the noise, and re-clocks the data, then any crummy computer’s USB output should sound fantastic.
I posted my comment because I did not know if streaming services allowed for general-purpose computers to be compatible with their services. You answered that question (thank you).
@12many could purchase a Singxer SU-6 DDC, and use it with an old computer that is collecting dust.
For $120, he can pick up a renewed Windows 11 computer from Amazon. But it has only 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD.
For $160, he can pick up a renewed Windows 11 computer from Amazon, equipped with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.
From the reviews that I have read, and from youtube videos that I have watched, a good DDC does wonders for virtually any DAC, using any PC’s USB output.
The only question mark is how important an AES/EBU cable (or TOS, etc) is, because the pricier ones can break the bank.