Since my introduction to PC audio in 2006, I’ve only used a PC (laptop/mac-mini(s) and presently, a home-made Windows 10, HTPC with a Roon core) as a media server. The HTPC is upstairs and my Rossini is in the basement.
Since the introduction of purpose-built audio servers, I wondered how much – if any – audio benefit, a server like, for example, an Aurender or Baetis Audio, vs a PC would provide; especially now that I own a Rossini? That is, I wonder how good a job of electrical noise cancellation the Rossini’s Ethernet input and processing does, vs perhaps other DAC’s with Ethernet, or even USB inputs, assuming that’s what makes a purpose-built audio server better than a PC?
One of the reasons I purchased the Rossini was for its Ethernet input. Using Ethernet, I dispensed with USB devices like the Sonore micro rendu and have had nothing but a trouble-free, robust connection 100% of the time.
An ancillary question is: I heard and read that inserting a fiber optic cable into the mix, may ameliorate some sort(s) of electrical noise. With the Rossini, I wonder if anyone has found that sort of isolation (copper-to-fiber-to-copper) to be of any benefit?