Thanks for the advice. The phone is really just a stop gap until I find the ideal set up. I am using a HTC One M8 at present to stream from TIDAL via Bluetooth Aptx. Apparently since the speaker and phone both support Bluetooth Aptx, this is as close to a wired set up that wireless gets. I don't actually know very much about this subject other than what I have read, but it is claimed that the NAD Visor 1 Ap is capable of bypassing the circuitry of the phone to process the signal in its purest form. If this is the case then I should be hearing something resembling CD quality at present. Of course I may have just fallen for the old marketing spiel, though it does seem that NAD are fairly well respected (although I had never heard of them before!).
However, streaming from my mobile phone isn't exactly what I am wanting to do long-term. Ideally I would want a form of storage to which I can download High resolution files from somewhere like HD tracks, and a source to play these files through the speaker via the optical input of the integrated DAC. Optical is the only option I have to input a source capable of up to 24/192. I would prefer to be as minimalist as possible i.e. no big noisy PC taking up limited space in the bedroom. And finally, this is the killer, money isn't exactly flowing!
I have been toying with the idea of a laptop, since I have acquired enough points from work to pick one up. Unfortunately, these points are only redeemable at Argos, so not exactly computer specialists. Add to that I am a complete novice in that regard, I'd prefer to know exactly what I'm doing rather than going by trial and error. The more I read on the subject, the more confusing it becomes when I am made aware of essential sound cards and further DAC's etc. So just to be clear that I am along the right lines here, I shouldn't require a further DAC to the one integrated into the speaker as this would essentially be converting the signal twice right? Therefore an optical cable from the laptop to the DAC should be all I need? It seems that Argos don't stock a laptop with an optical output, though I have been made aware of USB to optical converters, which seem to vary wildly in price! Again, I wouldn't really know where to start here. Would I require a certain spec laptop? A preferred soundcard? Software?
If there is a better alternative to the one I've discussed I would very much appreciate any advice.
Thank you for your time.