I'd don't like streaming as either a business model or as a technology. The laptop isn't an issue - dual processors running at GHz have way more than enough capacity for processing audio signals. I'll stick with what I've got for the moment and look around on eBay for a secondhand DAC.
Thanks for your advice, I'll give the 200M a miss for the moment then. My current DAC seems to have issues with the USB connection, whichever laptop I plug it into. My newest laptop dates back to 2013 but it never had an issue with the previous DAC. I'll look for something else used on the bay.
I've got a Myryad MI120 playing through original Epos ES14 speakers. Currently it's fed by a £50 DAC connected over Bluetooth and Chord C-line RCA cables. So, basically a respectable mid-range combination fed by a relatively inexpensive DAC. I'm just wondering if anybody here has made a...