I want to build the ULTIMATE/value Audio PC

[ImcLoud]

OK, I was going to put a projector in my audio room, but it involves too many exceptions to be made, so I decided to embark on an audio PC, since I am not going to use a tv and just get a small monitor...

I want a good looking case, quiet operation, and a really good cd player. I want to connect it to my DAC so I can go rite from a usb port to the dac and use that for volume control....

Let me know if there are any other functions that may be helpful that I forgot or didnt know about...

My budget is whatever? just want good value...

Where should I start, and end.. thanks

 

[ratso]

you should make it easy on yourself and buy it.

HAL's Amazingly Incredible Nearly Prototype Music Server

 

[jinjuku]

OK, I was going to put a projector in my audio room, but it involves too many exceptions to be made, so I decided to embark on an audio PC, since I am not going to use a tv and just get a small monitor...

I want a good looking case, quiet operation, and a really good cd player. I want to connect it to my DAC so I can go rite from a usb port to the dac and use that for volume control....

Let me know if there are any other functions that may be helpful that I forgot or didnt know about...

My budget is whatever? just want good value...

Where should I start, and end.. thanks

Lenovo Q180....

 

[Grador]

If you actually want a computer running windows, that Q180 is looking a little difficult to beat.

If you can go without windows, but still want a computer [linux or some form of embedded OS] you could go with one of these: Newegg.com - Acer Veriton Nettop Computer - Intel Atom D425 1.80 GHz - Mini PC

I will say that my acer nettop's fan is a little noisy, generally not bad but louder than I'd like it to be. [The Q180 could be just as loud, i have no clue]

If you're willing to go with optical or HDMI audio and ditch the CD drive there are a few options that are an even better 'value'

 

[Trev]

It's totally up to you man.. if you want one of those micro machines... if you're not handling video...; I can't handle those atom processors and low specs. You want ultimate, and bang for buck... this machine will do anything you could ever throw at it, for the next 6 years likely.

Personal recommendation....

Thermaltake level 10 case $150 (hot swappable hard drives)
GTS recommended: http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1477&ID=2104
GT or Original... if you feel like you want to go big: http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Products.aspx?S=1341 (believe first design of it was joint effort with BMW)

With a motherboard configured for raid 5. (learn more about raid before hand) Combined with IVY bridge unlocked processor, 570$. Sabertooths have 5year warranty. Military stress tested.
Newegg.ca - ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

8GB + Performance Ram... Newegg.ca - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9

Slap in 4 2TB+ hard drives. WD greens are good bang for buck.

Keep your OS on an SSD. Mushkin has good bang for buck, so does OCZ.
Newegg.ca - OCZ Vertex 4 VTX4-25SAT3-128G 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Modular power supply with good energy use when idling. $200
(Reason to go modular is to keep your case inside nice and clean.)
Newegg.ca - CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX850 (CMPSU-850AX) 850W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Video Card: Newegg.ca - ASUS GTX650-DC-1GD5 GeForce GTX 650 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

Looks expensive eh? Cause all prices listed were in Canadian .

Also, look for an aftermarket fan like from Coolermaster. Relatively cheap. Use Arctic 5 thermal paste. Make sure the aftermarket fan has a back plate for the back of the board, not plastic push pins. Careful with regard to grounding.

You want ultimate... that machine will eat the neighbor's children, and should last near forever. I built my machine 6 years ago for $2000, and it still out performs almost anyone I know. That says a lot considering the quantum leaps in technology. It's survived so much hell... it's unimaginable. Brownouts, CPU Smoking black smoke... absolute durability.

I Trust:
Intel Processors
Asus Mobos
EVGA Graphics
And Corsair PSU & Ram.

Best of luck.

 

[Grador]

Canadian dollar is worth more than a $US right now. [Though things could still be more expensive there?]

Also i can play DVDs and blurays without a single hickup. Issues being HD audio-passthrough [which i've worked around] and flash video.

 

[brianedm]

Canadian dollar is worth more than a $US right now. [Though things could still be more expensive there?]

Also i can play DVDs and blurays without a single hickup. Issues being HD audio-passthrough [which i've worked around] and flash video.

Yup. Most things are still more expensive here

 

[ImcLoud]

Yup. Most things are still more expensive here

Not health care