A novel way to massively improve the SQ of computer audio streaming

[iCarus]

This is my first post on this forum.

 

I'm currently using a Hakai build of digital streamer from the Lejonklou site (https://www.lejonklou.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4272).  This uses Gigabyte ITX motherboards which sound great, as does the whole Hakai build.  However the motherboards lack PCI Express capabilities - they have an M.2 2230 socket designated for Wi-Fi (there seems to be no adapter to allow the use of PCIe). There are Antipodean websites (e.g. https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/82802-building-the-idealish-music-server/page/200/) that recommend using Jetway NF9C-2800 motherboards.  Does anyone have recent experience of a mini ITX motherboard that sounds great but has PCIe?

 

I want to carry on using Linux software for digital streaming but make use of a PCIe noise filter such as the Elfidelity USB Filter. There are many computer audio forums and I am trying to find the best parts of each in an attempt to further improve my current system and enjoy the music more!

[iCarus]

29 minutes ago, seeteeyou said:

This ASRock EPC621D6I could be such an enticing Mini-ITX option with LGA 3647 and 6 SO-DIMM slots for ECC DDR4 RAM

 

https://www.asrockrack.com/general/productdetail.asp?Model=EPC621D6I

https://www.servethehome.com/asrock-rack-epc621d4i-2m-motherboard-review/asrock-rack-epc621d6i-block-diagram/

 

Ideal candidate for 10-core Xeon Silver? Though the VRM part ain't necessarily all that hot due to space constraints.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. My preference for these motherboards is relatively low processing power, integrated processor (Celeron, Atom etc.).

[iCarus]

On 12/20/2019 at 7:48 AM, iCarus said:

 

Thanks for the suggestion. My preference for these motherboards is relatively low processing power, integrated processor (Celeron, Atom etc.).

Many thanks for the tip. Does anyone know of any mini ITX Atom boards currently available that sound good? 

[iCarus]

On 12/20/2019 at 1:39 PM, seeteeyou said:

 

Quite expensive for its specs, though it's a tried and true motherboard that's also found inside Innuos ZENith SE

 

https://www.amazon.com/Supermicro-X10SBA-L-B-Celeron-Mini-ITX-Motherboard/dp/B00F0YJC28

Many thanks for the suggestion. In the end I decided to go for the Intel DN2800MT. Many of them were available as used computers on eBay for less than 50GBP.  And they're used in the following thread:

 

https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/82802-building-the-idealish-music-server/

[iCarus]

My solution to this problem was simple.  Use the same build quality as my streamer for a music server.  The difference in SQ between this approach and a bog standard NAS is night and day.

Don't use a NAS, build a music server.  It takes less than 45 minutes.