I started to try XXHighEnd on my fanless Core 2 Duo PC. I had problems with two different SSDs: After a while blue screens started and then Windows 7 could not be repaired. I am coming to a conclusion that the 2008 BIOS cannot handle SSDs properly. I put in 1GB WD Caviar Black and after a new Win 7 install, there seem to be some problems. (These problems were not there on an identical installation on a SSD in the same PC).

That is why I may be looking at a new PC. I have read people's recommendations and have some specific questions:

1. Did anybody compare SSD with a rotating hard drive in the same PC and what were the differences in sound?

2. Did anybody compare 4 core vs. 6 core i7? Were there differences in sound?

3. There seems to be a recommendation for i7 without graphics processor. Did anybody compare i7 with graphics processor (e.g. i7 2600 LGA1155) vs. i7 without graphics processor (e.g. i7 980 LGA1366 or i7 3930K LGA2011)?

Thanks,

Tony

Not true, you could be more vague 

It is interesting that you could bring noise down without isolation. If both the computer and DAC ground are earthed, there is a gound loop and some garbage signal will flow on this wire.

TonyB