I use a rpi2 with a DAC hat attached on top, hooked up to amp and speakers, powered by and Ethernet connected to a time capsule nas. It all fits nicely on a shelf.

I could have used a thinkpad with a usb DAC, but it would require more space, more power cable, ... It would provide a built in ups and screen, which I don’t need.

I think rpi are OK when the whole service it provides could be read only, with no local storage / state.