Audiophile grade computer?

[Middy]

For a hundred dollars you can have a purpose pc like a cheap nuc, second hand are cheap. The current thinking is a linux based os but windows with the right software can sound really good.

You can buy a cheap windows key on ebay. You can try  Linux music os  on your laptop if you feel you want a challenge. You could then use your phone  as  a remote. Take your time and read through the threads here we mostly spend more cash but some good advice without big spending. But this is where it always ends up.... second hand market here is reliable...

 

I bought an oppo ha1 5 years ago...i am now down £5600 spent on dacs amps cables 

Fuses headphones power supplies filters decrapifiers deoxit transformers.

 

A good power supply helps but costs a lot, cables stick to a  known spec quality brand low price. Ifi helps a little but are cheap relatively. Isoregen....nice

A headphone amp like the magni3 can really boost sq for low cost of you use headphones...and maybe invest in better headphones if thats your thing. Hifi man mr speakers audeze second hand. Or entry level models....

You can do everything you want now just dont spend a fortune on a usb cable.. that low gain if any for a high price.

Read around, think what the weak link is, a look at alternatives for that budget and look again later...its a steep learning curve that never ends but people are mostly nice and give real hard learned advice here on AS. No silly questions when you dont know, just keep asking and good luck..

 

If you can a local club to try and have people explain thing first hand...