I've been reading stuff on this forum but this is my first post. I think it is time to transition from a simple CD player to something a little more sophisticated. I've already got a hi-fi setup so I would need to add a DAC and the some kind of computing device to my setup.
With regards to DACs I have no idea what to choose. I've looked at a lot of articles on here, but I'm not totally clear on the meaning of all the measurements. I still haven't found an explanation of sample jitter that I can understand (how do those sidebands get there) so I feel a little stupid. I'll be using the device for playback of ripped CDs (so 44.1kHz sample rate FLAC files) primarily. I guess I am looking for something as close to "perfect" as I can get. I want something as linear as possible and with noise jitter below the noise floor. From what I understand cheaper DACs are just a likely or perhaps even more so than expensive ones to do that. I don't want something with a "sound" just a technically correct output. I only need RCA out. I'll be feeding into my late 80s Pioneer C-90 preamp. So I guess it needs line level output and something without a volume knob.
For the computer section I have no idea what to do. I used to fool around with Linux so I'm somewhat familiar with process of setting things like that up. I have no idea what sort of hardware is required. Ideally I would like to build everything into one box, but I understand it is popular to use NAS storage is popular and probably more convenient. As for the operating system I've no clue what is best. A robust interface would be good. If could somehow also use YouTube, and other streaming services for when my non-audiophile come over and want to show me a song that would be great. A lot of people put music on their phones as well, so some kind of connectivity with those would be ideal (but I don't know if that is possible).
Basically I just need something that will do Redbook audio. Hi-res capability might be an issue, but I'll definitely never use DSD or any of that nonsense. I'd like to make the unit as self-contained as possible and just have it be another part of my stack of hi-fi equipment, but I don't know how feasible that actually is. I'd actually probably be fine with a CD player, but I really want something normies can use to show me music in the event that I ever leave my parent's house and make friends. Compatibility with streaming services might be nice, but I currently don't use those.
I hope this isn't a stupid question. I just want something that measures correctly for my digital music. From what I gather that shouldn't be too much, but I don't know.
With regards to DACs I have no idea what to choose. I've looked at a lot of articles on here, but I'm not totally clear on the meaning of all the measurements. I still haven't found an explanation of sample jitter that I can understand (how do those sidebands get there) so I feel a little stupid. I'll be using the device for playback of ripped CDs (so 44.1kHz sample rate FLAC files) primarily. I guess I am looking for something as close to "perfect" as I can get. I want something as linear as possible and with noise jitter below the noise floor. From what I understand cheaper DACs are just a likely or perhaps even more so than expensive ones to do that. I don't want something with a "sound" just a technically correct output. I only need RCA out. I'll be feeding into my late 80s Pioneer C-90 preamp. So I guess it needs line level output and something without a volume knob.
For the computer section I have no idea what to do. I used to fool around with Linux so I'm somewhat familiar with process of setting things like that up. I have no idea what sort of hardware is required. Ideally I would like to build everything into one box, but I understand it is popular to use NAS storage is popular and probably more convenient. As for the operating system I've no clue what is best. A robust interface would be good. If could somehow also use YouTube, and other streaming services for when my non-audiophile come over and want to show me a song that would be great. A lot of people put music on their phones as well, so some kind of connectivity with those would be ideal (but I don't know if that is possible).
Basically I just need something that will do Redbook audio. Hi-res capability might be an issue, but I'll definitely never use DSD or any of that nonsense. I'd like to make the unit as self-contained as possible and just have it be another part of my stack of hi-fi equipment, but I don't know how feasible that actually is. I'd actually probably be fine with a CD player, but I really want something normies can use to show me music in the event that I ever leave my parent's house and make friends. Compatibility with streaming services might be nice, but I currently don't use those.
I hope this isn't a stupid question. I just want something that measures correctly for my digital music. From what I gather that shouldn't be too much, but I don't know.