Putting together a small form factor desktop for music and archive. I was looking to go the NAS route but disliked the playback application options. Then found JRiver and decided to just go from a Small Form Factor Desktop (Dell Optiplex 790 i3 8gb Ram) out via optical to my Yamaha AV amp. Control of JRiver playback via wireless (cellphone, iPad, etc.) & all my normal remotes for volume. External USB3 drive(s) that will also be local backup for my live recordings (eventually I'll get two of the same drives).
Software - JRiverPlayback of all the music file formats, multiple platforms for
remote control of playback (controls desktop application)
AND GAPLESSStorage - 5TB USB3 DriveREQUIRES Purchase of PCI USB3 BOARDOutput of stream via SPDIF Optical (30ft cable to AV AMP)
REQUIRES Purchase of PCI Soundcard with Optical Do I need anything special for a SPDIF Optical Soundcard? I see lots of variation from $20 to $500 in price. Is it not just transferring the music data to a optical output? All the magic will happen in the Yamaha AV DAC.