Time for an update here! 
After reading all the positive experiences I decided to go for it last sunday so I bought the Audiophile Optimizer (AO) software (http://www.highend-audiopc.com) for Windows Server 2012 R2. This software strips the OS to a bare minimum and optimizes it in several ways for dedicated audio playback. I have been able to get it running in 'minimal server mode'. Unfortuntely the AIR software doesn't run in it's most optimized 'Core' mode.
I created an additional partition on my dedicated playback computer to hold the Windows Server 2012 R2 (Standard) installation. I decided to keep the existing Windows 8.1 Pro system partition and create a dual boot system. So I can now easily reboot my system and boot the Windows 8.1 system which I use for more 'video related' HTPC work (watching movies, TV series etc., streaming video etc.)
The installation of the Audiophile Optimizer software is very easy and the scripts it contains work perfectly and can be used by anyone, so also the non IT literates. I haven't found enough time yet to really compare the sound quality improvements but my first impressions after a few days are positive. It seems I can better hear low details from a blacker background and the whole staging/presentation and timbres are better and richer/somewhat fuller. For the people that have never heard of AO, you can read a lot about it on the Computer Audiophile and JPlay forums. (http://www.computeraudiophile.com/forum/ and http://jplay.eu/forum/)
---
Since the PC has been my one and only source for quite some time now and it is placed near to the set I have also finally decided to get rid of the SMPS PSU in the PC and upgrade it's power supply to a linear low noise/low ripple one. I'll probably decide next week which one I'll go for as I'm awaiting replies to some questions I've asked.
I'm currently looking at (in order of current preference):
1.
HDPlex Linear PSU http://www.hd-plex.com/HDPLEX-Fanless-Li...evice.html
plus a HDPlex 160W DC ATX PSU: http://www.hd-plex.com/HDPLEX-160W-DC-AT...Input.html
Hong Kong company but has all required CE certifications etc. so should be safe. Price is very nice as well and it comes complete with all necessary cables, accessories etc. Delivers enough power (100W continuous, more in bursts) for me.
The PSU has a separate 12V rail (main rail for the PC is 19V) with which I can directly power my Anti-Mode 2.0 Dual Core which also allows me to remove and sell the separate BOTWS PSU I currenly use for this device.
2.
Teradak makes all sorts of linear power supplies in different sizes including one that looks very similar to the HDPlex but it's made and shipped directly in/from China. It doesn't seem to have the required safety certifications and I'd hate the idea to maybe be no longer insured when my house burns down because of this. Nonetheless a lot of people use their products and their most recent 'small ATX linear PSU' (http://1drv.ms/1odGQzi) looks very promising. It's not on their website (http://www.teradak.com/) yet. This PSU should be technically superior to the HDPlex as it provides all the required voltages (multi rail) to power a PC directly without a DC-DC power converter like the PicoPSU's and HDPlex DC ATX PSU.
3.
Teddy Pardo 12/4 http://www.teddypardo.com/powersupplies/...y12-4.html
From Israel, it has the required certifications. This one might be 'underpowered' though, it's their most powerful PSU bit it can deliver only 4.5A @ 12V (54W). This would be enough for music playback only at which my PC uses around 25W (measured at wall outlet) but when I torture test the machine this rises to a maximum of 100W.
4. Keces DC-16 http://www.keces.com.tw/5_english/index_5_english.htm
Taiwanese, doesn't seem to have the required certifications as well. Seems to run hot and earlier 50Hz models had transformer hum.
After reading all the positive experiences I decided to go for it last sunday so I bought the Audiophile Optimizer (AO) software (http://www.highend-audiopc.com) for Windows Server 2012 R2.
This software strips the OS to a bare minimum and optimizes it in several ways for dedicated audio playback. I have been able to get it running in 'minimal server mode'. Unfortuntely the AIR software doesn't run in it's most optimized 'Core' mode.I created an additional partition on my dedicated playback computer to hold the Windows Server 2012 R2 (Standard) installation. I decided to keep the existing Windows 8.1 Pro system partition and create a dual boot system. So I can now easily reboot my system and boot the Windows 8.1 system which I use for more 'video related' HTPC work (watching movies, TV series etc., streaming video etc.)
The installation of the Audiophile Optimizer software is very easy and the scripts it contains work perfectly and can be used by anyone, so also the non IT literates.
I haven't found enough time yet to really compare the sound quality improvements but my first impressions after a few days are positive. It seems I can better hear low details from a blacker background and the whole staging/presentation and timbres are better and richer/somewhat fuller. For the people that have never heard of AO, you can read a lot about it on the Computer Audiophile and JPlay forums. (http://www.computeraudiophile.com/forum/ and http://jplay.eu/forum/)---
Since the PC has been my one and only source for quite some time now and it is placed near to the set I have also finally decided to get rid of the SMPS PSU in the PC and upgrade it's power supply to a linear low noise/low ripple one. I'll probably decide next week which one I'll go for as I'm awaiting replies to some questions I've asked.
I'm currently looking at (in order of current preference):
1.
HDPlex Linear PSU http://www.hd-plex.com/HDPLEX-Fanless-Li...evice.html
plus a HDPlex 160W DC ATX PSU: http://www.hd-plex.com/HDPLEX-160W-DC-AT...Input.html
Hong Kong company but has all required CE certifications etc. so should be safe. Price is very nice as well and it comes complete with all necessary cables, accessories etc. Delivers enough power (100W continuous, more in bursts) for me.
The PSU has a separate 12V rail (main rail for the PC is 19V) with which I can directly power my Anti-Mode 2.0 Dual Core which also allows me to remove and sell the separate BOTWS PSU I currenly use for this device.
2.
Teradak makes all sorts of linear power supplies in different sizes including one that looks very similar to the HDPlex but it's made and shipped directly in/from China. It doesn't seem to have the required safety certifications and I'd hate the idea to maybe be no longer insured when my house burns down because of this. Nonetheless a lot of people use their products and their most recent 'small ATX linear PSU' (http://1drv.ms/1odGQzi) looks very promising. It's not on their website (http://www.teradak.com/) yet. This PSU should be technically superior to the HDPlex as it provides all the required voltages (multi rail) to power a PC directly without a DC-DC power converter like the PicoPSU's and HDPlex DC ATX PSU.
3.
Teddy Pardo 12/4 http://www.teddypardo.com/powersupplies/...y12-4.html
From Israel, it has the required certifications. This one might be 'underpowered' though, it's their most powerful PSU bit it can deliver only 4.5A @ 12V (54W). This would be enough for music playback only at which my PC uses around 25W (measured at wall outlet) but when I torture test the machine this rises to a maximum of 100W.
4. Keces DC-16 http://www.keces.com.tw/5_english/index_5_english.htm
Taiwanese, doesn't seem to have the required certifications as well. Seems to run hot and earlier 50Hz models had transformer hum.
PS Audio P3, Shunyata ΞTRON Alpha Digital and HC/Furutech power cables, Paul Hynes SR7EHD-MR4, DIY Roon Server & Roon Endpoint running AudioLinux Headless, Phasure Lush^2 USB cable, Audioquest Diamond RJ/E ethernet, Uptone Audio etherREGEN, Mutec MC-3+ USB, Shunyata ΞTRON Anaconda Digital XLR AES/EBU, Devialet Expert 250 Pro CI, Nordost Tyr Reference LS cables, Von Schweikert VR-5 SE Anniversary Edition, Anti-Mode Dual Core 2.0, JL Audio Fathom F112. More detail here.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands
