New laptop or new server/streamer?

[Cyling Nut]

Hi,

Now:
Cable TV/music channels > LG G4 OLED TV > Optical toslink > Topping D50 III DAC > Neumann KH120II

Goal:
New laptop with QOBUZ and ROON > USB-C or Thunderbolt or ??? > Topping D50 III DAC > Neumann KH120II

What would be an optimal laptop setup for Qobuz and Roon going to the D50 III?
Some laptop specs I am considering: Intel i7, 32DDR, 2TB SSD, wifi-7, windows 11 pro, hdmi 2.1. The laptop brand needs to be reliable, maybe a business type.
My laptop budget is $1,500, but spending less to get optimal results is great.

Or go the Server/streamer way? What streamers and or servers to consider?

Thanks!

 

[Vincent Kars]

If the laptop is in the listening room, I would have "silent" as my first criteria.

As you do have a decent DAC, have a look at WiiM mini. It can also be used for playback of local files from any computer in your LAN using DLNA

 

[voodooless]

PC specs are irrelevant for audio playback, have been for decades. Just buy whatever suits you otherwise.

A streamer is very practical you don’t want to have the laptop near the DAC. Since it’s close to the TV, that is probably the case. Something simple like a WiiM will suit you just fine.

 

[AnalogSteph]

If there is a TV already, why not use a NUC-y mini PC deal plus a wireless keyboard / touchpad combo thing (e.g. Logitech K400)? Ideally one that'll fit a 2.5" SSD for a local collection.

Or if you don't trust the noise levels of their built-in CPU fans under load, there's always the option of going for a "classic" HTPC build, maybe in an ITX case (large enough to fit a small tower cooler with 92mm fan) with a board that has a DC jack for an external power brick. They do make fully passive cases, but honestly you can get the noise down so low with active cooling and proper fan curve management it's really not worth it.

 

[terryforsythe]

As you do have a decent DAC, have a look at WiiM mini. It can also be used for playback of local files from any computer in your LAN using DLNA

I agree with the suggestion for a WiiM streamer. But, I'm not sure how well the WiiM mini works with Roon; it is not listed on Roon's website as being Roon Ready nor Roon Tested. Here is the link to that web page:

Title of Page

roon.app

The WiiM Pro, which is listed as being Roon Ready, costs $149.

The WiiM Pro Plus, which is listed as being Roon Ready and Roon Tested, costs $219. Last Black Friday I saw it as low as $179 on sale.

 

[ZolaIII]

If you want laptop for the money you could pick mid offering from ASUS with FHD OLED (and bump it up a bit) and that would be enough for real studio DAW. If you don't just pick WiiM Mini and plug it trough Toslink to D50 III. If you insist on Roon ready go with WiiM Pro. If you want to build kinky mini ITX that's fine and with a solid sound card of course. I prefer laptop and as DLNA server, don't use Roon (I use JRiver) or streaming services all that much anymore for carrying around.

 

[JeremyFife]

If you need a new laptop anyway then why not. I don't think it's the best option if it's dedicated to audio though - agree that a streamer is better and cheaper.
Also agree that it's hard to look past WiiM