I agree completely about getting a DAC rather than a CD player, as the DAC is more flexible.
An old PC is perfect for a music server, since music servers generally don't require a lot of horsepower. Just a good amount of drive space and a good network card. If you're technically sophisticated, you can install Linux on the old PC and make it an impressive server. If you're not, then don't fear, because Windows can do an adequate job of that nowadays.
I'd recommend getting a Logitech Squeezebox rather than worry about a sound card. It's a great server platform, and you can buy as many Squeezeboxes in the future as you want, and then listen to music in multiple parts of the house. (I use an old Linux server with 4 Squeezeboxes currently, and it works so well that I'm hesitant to mess with a good thing.)
Good luck!
Michael
An old PC is perfect for a music server, since music servers generally don't require a lot of horsepower. Just a good amount of drive space and a good network card. If you're technically sophisticated, you can install Linux on the old PC and make it an impressive server. If you're not, then don't fear, because Windows can do an adequate job of that nowadays.
I'd recommend getting a Logitech Squeezebox rather than worry about a sound card. It's a great server platform, and you can buy as many Squeezeboxes in the future as you want, and then listen to music in multiple parts of the house. (I use an old Linux server with 4 Squeezeboxes currently, and it works so well that I'm hesitant to mess with a good thing.)
Good luck!
Michael