Audio PC

I'll take that as a challenge.  A lot of streamers sold in the same range as the bluesound are not much more than a Raspberry PIs with some linear power supplies and an adapter hat. like PI2AES. (which is no longer being made.)

The reason expensive ones weigh so much are the power supplies are built into the box. 

This is WAY overkill to me but the components are available and can be purchased pretty inexpensively. 

I'm going to try to build one this winter but will probably just use Chinese linear power supplies.

I currently use a the USB out of an I5 fanless PC running Windows, Foobar and Fidelizer and it sounds better than my PI streamer running an Allo digione both are using switching power supplies. 

@milpai

I appears to me that the Streacom ST-ZF240 ZeroFlex 240W Passive PSU is a switching power supply. It is fanless but from what I’ve gleaned from the specs of the high end streamers is that they all use linear power supplies to reduce electrical noise.

In one of the reviews of the PINK FAUN STREAMER 2.16X

https://www.monoandstereo.com/2019/12/pink-faun-streamer-216x-review.html

“For example, the ATX to the motherboard contains 5 different voltage levels all having their own linear regulation. Pink Faun has designed a full linear PSU and makes no use of any DC to ATX converter. “

That’s a little overkill for my skill level but there is an ATX converter that separates a 12V input 160 Watt to the ATX voltage adapter.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005TWE6B8/?coliid=I3GUHXMM4WM2Z&colid=19SGDZ5EOZ98N&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_ita large 12V linear PS should provide enough to power it.

This limits me to MicroITX but I’m hoping this configuration will work for my purpose as I only need one PCIe slot. I still researching power requirements but hopefully the ASRock Z690M-ITX/ax board will fit the bill. I’m looking for I2S only and there is a Pink Faun I2S board (they also make a USB board). It appears to have a DC input. I haven’t contacted them yet but if I can power it with a separate power supply I should be OK with only 160 Watts but will need two power supplies.

In the middle of writing this I did find a TeraDack ATX linear power supply.  For around $1600 820 Watts of linear ATX power 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2255800625006296.html?spm=a2g0o.seodetail.topbuy.1.461c1e59rW5ciU

I’ve built a lot of computers in my day but that was years ago and not only has a lot changed, this is a very different beast. Making sure all the components will fit with the correct orientation in a fanless case that has a PCIe adapter location. (Streacom st-fc8s-alpha ???) A low power CPU that won’t overheat with only 87 Watts of cooling. I probably won’t know if all this is going to work until I build it and I’m sure I missed something but it’s still just a motherboard, power supply, ram, hard disk storage and OS.

If there is anybody out there that has some tips or pointers or additional information PLEASE let me know.

The Raspberry PI solution sure seems a lot more strait forward and while I’ve used Volumio I’ve never used LMS . A I2S hat with a linear power supply that would allow me to play Qobuz and my stored music files from my listening chair may be all I need. I’m using USB now and at times it sounds pretty good but as you know it can always be better.

@milpai 

That's great news.  Not only you got it working it also worked and the sound improved.  Looking forward to the build pics.

Great build!  

@milpai 

If you are up to an inexpensive experiment I'd like to get your feedback.  Scrounging the forums Ted Smith (the designer of the PSAudio PerfectWave DAC)  suggested that the issue with USB as a connection is the 5V power included within the signal cable.  His suggestion was to insert a linear powered USB hub to clean up the signal.  I haven't purchased the 5V linear power supply yet but just blocking the power from the computer and using a powered hub I was able to make a significant change to my system. 

Power blocker to remove the 5V from the source

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094FYL9QT?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Powered USB 2.0 hub.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T9S4CI?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

So for about $30 I was able to improve separation and add low base.

Both items are returnable if your experience isn't positive but I've got to get my head around the changes before I spend the additional $90 for a LPS.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HDGCP3V/?coliid=I10YCYSEUGXDVA&colid=2P8239ZSNTNRE&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Cheers

@milpai I completely understand and really envious of being completely happy with your system. It never seems to last more than a week for me until I'm trying to identify the weakest link after an upgrade.  I do feel I'm pretty lucky with the PSAudio DAC as it does all the reclocking internally, so I probably  wouldn't notice the full benefits of a high end USB card,  isolation on the other hand is the key for me in my current setup.  I've read here on the forum where members have said the server upgrade was more substantial than the DAC upgrade. I now believe it as all I did was filter out the computers 5V power and I swear to you it completely changes my system for the better.

Be sure to post your experiences with the USB card as your journey can provide answers to many, including me.