pointers needed - new home built music server system

[ericuco]

For a dual computer setup, you might want to look at what Sonore just announced:

 

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f26-sonore-sponsored/sonore-sonicorbiter-se-ethernet-universal-serial-bus-industry-standard-cables-connectors-and-communications-protocols-between-computers-and-electronic-devices-and-optical-output-27028/

 

The reason for the second computer is that it can be low powered (few watts), quiet (no spinning HDD, fans), inexpensive and small footprint.

 

With the Sonore unit, just plug one end into your network (Ethernet coming in) and on the other end a USB cable to your DAC. You can select the various options using a browser. And no need for JCat USB card in your main server since everything is connected via Ethernet.

 

Obviously, you can build your own computer instead of going with the Sonore unit but given it is already configured & ready to go, hard to beat.