Each computer generation will bring us faster, smaller, and less expensive machines and I think we're near the point where fanless solutions will likely satisfy most personal computing and become common in the next few years. While ideally, fanless is the ultimate goal, I am (as always) a pragmatist even if we have a perfectionistic mindset, so long as we get the job done well enough, we can move on and enjoy the music, letting technology continue to move ahead. Given that, let's consider some settings I can use with this machine. Let's talk about some BIOS settings, Windows set-up suggestions to consider, and computational potential.Īs discussed years ago, in my sound room in the evenings, the ambient noise level is <30dB SPL which is appropriately low for high-fidelity listening. Today, let's convert that little Beelink EQ12 Intel N100-based computer ( discussed/reviewed last time) into something I would use as a Windows audio streamer and movie player in my media room. These machines will not contribute to acoustic or electrical noise pollution in listening rooms even with low ambient noise levels provided the hobbyist approaches device selection and optimization with some basic care. In the 2nd decade of the 21st Century now, with much lower CPU/memory/motherboard power demands while capable of excellent speed, silent SSD drives, and small form factor MiniPCs, it's actually rather trivial these days to maintain cool and quiet, unobtrusive computers that perform well as AV "appliances".
Of course back in the day, especially prior to 2010, putting a computer in the sound room was likely going to be fraught with noise issues. It has been more than a decade since I've cared to use a CD transport other than to rip music and there's no reason why CDs would sound better anyways ( "bit perfect" and all that). I've never really looked back since, as this is IMO the superior way to manage music with a central home server repository and distributing the music around the home. Since around 2004, I've been using various computer systems for music playback, initially starting with ripped files on PCs and then quickly transitioning to server-endpoint "distributed" playback by something like 2006/2007 when I bought my first Slim Devices Squeezebox 3. Beelink EQ12 MiniPC, some testing with the RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition.
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