New computer for Streaming????

Your dealer is terribly mistaken. PCs are terrible streamers.

I have for over fifteen years tried all forms of streamers… PCs (with all sorts of modifications), MacBooks, iPads, inexpensive combined units. Finally dedicated streamers from $3K to $22K. Dedicated streamers are the only way to get great sound.which, dependson the rest of your system. If your average component is $200 then a MacBook is fine. But if you have more than midfi components and an interest in good sound quality you want a dedicated streamer. If you have a very modest system a blue sound streamer will do. If you have a better system the carefully choosing a streamer at the same investment level as your DAC, preamp, and amp is appropriate. My streamer and amp are the most expensive components in my system (see my user ID for my virtual systems).

Get a dedicated streamer. It will have access directly to Qobuz. So you just use your iPad to access the streamer… log on to your Qobux once the first time and you navigate with your iPad from then on. I recommend Aurender streamers. They make some of the best… their flagship is typically used in most demos at shows. Mine sounds the same as my really good analog system. 

I run Roon with a Linux server in another floor than the streamer. My PC’s, phones and tablets don’t actually stream anything, they just run the control app.

Any mini PC in a box with 4 GB of RAM can be turned into a Roon core.

You have a Bricasti M1SE with a network card? All you need is MConnect app on your phone or iPad and a Qobuz account. Don’t use computer for streaming. If you decide to go with Roon, use computer to run Roon Core. But don’t use it for streaming. The built in network renderer in the Bricasti is far superior. 

Why do you need computer for streaming if your Bricasti has streamer, as you mentioned?

You need a computer to run the application used to search, select and play music from a streaming service like Tidal, Qobuz, etc.   If you use Roon, like many of us do, the computer is used to store the Roon meta data database and the Roon application to access the meta data database. 

ghdprentice, if your analogue and digital sources sound the same, why do you still keep the turntable ? Habit, tradition, aesthetics ?

For many $3k just for a streamer is big money. There is some Apple, forgot the model, that audiophiles without streamers often use. It will not be as good as a good streamer but it will be less expensive. How much do you really want to spend on digital source that in a few years might become almost obsolete ?

You are thinking about the Mac Mini M1 and M2 

models that are very good and very powerful for running Roon for example.

you also get a great computer at the same time and if instead of usb, you would using Ethernet port for streaming I would think that that would be a great solution.

Old computer < dedicated (Mac mini) computer < inexpensive streamer (iFi, blue sound) = (maybe) network card < good dedicated streamer.

I have had all. Now using Grimm MU1 to run roon core and stream. You don’t need roon, but I like it..  

if you choose a dedicated Mac mini, shut off as many apps as possible.  The reason it is more noisy is that Apple computers run lots of stuff you can not turn off.  And you need to somehow see a display of the mini sometimes.  I used one, it sounded ok, but would need restarted sometimes and a pain compared to a dedicated streamer with control app.
 

Thank you all for your suggestions. I probably should have listed my system for background. Amp Pass 250.8/  Benchmark LA4 pre Amp/ Bricasti M1 SE with Network card (streaming) Rs2T transport and LTA LPS / Already have Qobuz account, Tekton DI speakers upgraded and a SVS SB4000 sub. Rock and Roll only. 

I probably didn't describe my situation and needs accurately. (new to streaming) I will be using the streamer in the Bricasti  (not the computer)   I just need the new computer (MAc or Windows) to download my Qobuz account and Audirvana. Just need the new computer to run the applications, not to stream from.  Sorry about the confusion. Hope this explains things a little better. Does anyone have any feelings towards a MAC vrs Windows computer? Just using to download the applications only.

I don’t think it really matters unless you use Roon.  I moved to Roon for ease of use and ability to seamlessly integrate my music collection with Qobuz and the ability to identify and direct music to multiple systems around my home. In my case I moved to a Small Green Computer i5 (dedicated) music server (computer) with 4tb ssd to house my collection of music and run the Roon Core database.  Works great for streaming to my audio system, my 2 Sonos systems, car, and other targets.  The i5 is hard wired to my network and then hard wire to my M1 streaming card.  I found as I learned move about streaming and the capabilities of Roon a dedicated music server was the only way to go.  At this point I can assess all my music using my iPhone and MacBook Air and wife’s ipad. Sorry for rambling but this model solved all my streaming issues and gave me access to music everywhere.  
For reference primary audio system include Bricasti M1 SII, Cary SLP-05, AGD Audions, Joseph Audio Perspectives, SGC i5, Cardas.   

OP the computer will just be for an app that is the User Interface.  Personally, I like a tablet- ipad if you are an apple fan.  you just view information and select your music on it.  The streaming bits with the music content go directly from the Internet into the Bricasti. 

unfortunately, there's no guarantee that their ethernet is the "best" input.  seems like it should be, but my PS Audio has a network bridge, and as others have mentioned, it's inferior sounding and aggravatingly unreliable.  So, I have a nice DAC, but it requires a PC or streamer.

I am not yet convinced that a PC with an i7 and 8GB of RAM with SSD and only running the OS* plus the streaming app is so awful as many make it out to be.  but also have not had the $$ to try a $2K + streamer.  I need to find someone local to either let me borrow that superior streamer, or to let me try my DAC in their system=  Rogue Cronus magnum III and ML ESL-X ,DH lab USB cable should be sufficiently resolving.

* I acknowledge, that windows is running way too much in the background, but there is so much more power in this system than you'll find in any streamer. I know there is zero contention for compute resources!

testrun//// Thanks so much for the post. You have a really NICE SYSTEM!!

I just have the system described, no others attached. I have another system (lesser quality) in another location, which I will continue to stream USB,( great DAC, no streamer though)  which is fine. I'm just looking for a computer to download the 2 applications, so I can stream. As I don't have an I pad, and don't want to play with my I phone, I will most likely hard wire ( Ethernet) the new lap top to my listening,  area and use it to choose my songs to play though Audirvana,via Qobuz.   Thanks again   Ps    Love your Joseph Audio Speakers!!!

My opinion may be disputed, but I find a built for purpose real-time Linux OS to be a very good streamer. This must be a single purpose device.

Bitperfect MPD with ALSA for a Linux Audio PC System (24bit96.com)

These instructions are for Debian, but I use Ubuntu 22.04 and have found great results. There may very well be better streamers out there but the few I took apart are ... computers with Linux running.  So I figure why not build it yourself.

@inna “if your analogue and digital sources sound the same, why do you still keep the turntable ? Habit, tradition, aesthetics ?”

Nostalgia. I also have a collection of 2,000 albums in pristine condition that I have collected over the last 55 years… many audiophile pressings. Occasionally it is fun to go through the old tradition that has been the hallmark of great sound since I was 4 or 5 (my father would be spinning back then).

robshaw I've found a tablet makes an excellent remote control for running your control app. I picked up a refurbished Ipad mini for a little over $100 6 years ago for this purpose and it's still running strong.

ghdprentice, I understand it.

Besides, when streaming you own nothing unlike records, tapes and even cds.

OP great choice! Did you get the latest MKII M1SE? I believe it is well worth the asking price or maybe you bought a used unit? Hopefully it's the latest version.

Enjoy 😉

rsf507//// Bought new, Got a very good deal, IMO. Yes, it is the model you described with a Network Card. Right out of box after playing with filters (my choice #2 minimum I think it was) sounds quite accurate and very Dynamic, all instruments get their chance to shine individually. Will only get better with time. 

Once I choose a new computer to download the interfaces.( Qobuz to new unit and Audirvana).  I can only HOPE, actual streaming via streamer/Ethernet connection is that superior to my earlier USB stream?????  thanks all very much.To a new streamer,  very valuable info !!!!!!

@OP. Unless you want to run Roon, there is no point in incorporating a computer in your system.

Unless you’re going to run Roon and need the computer to act as a Core just get yourself a nice tablet to run your streaming apps, way more convenient.

Couldn't agree with you more. However, my dealer that sold me the Bricasti M1SE said the  tablet would be great to use from my listening chair, However, said the tablet does not have the operating system  needed to download Qobuz and Audirvana. The tablet will play the music once downloaded via  WI-FI . I believe that is correct??