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just starting - mac vs. windows computer source?

Hello all. I don't know much about the specifics of a computer based audio source, except what I have learned looking thorough the archives. I am still hoping you guys can help me with suggestions that are specific to my situation and considering the current and potential future advantages of using either a windows or mac based system as a music source.

I have a fairly dialed in audio system (see my virtual system under mitch2) but want to now include a computer based source (I know, I am quite late to the party). I currently use a new(ish) windows based laptop for home computing, have external hard drives, and also have a windows based laptop for work. My only mac exposure is the company i-phones we recently adopted, my wife's ipad, and looking at my daughter's macbook pro. I have hundreds of CD's and a very high quality hi-rez player, but none of my music is yet digitized.

I want to add a high quality, great sounding computer based audio source that is at a similar sound quality level as my current player (or better), and I have heard using the ipad as a control and visual display, and the mac mini as a server, is a good way to go. I like the idea of having the mac mini near my gear, so shorter cables to the dac, and I like the idea of controlling everything wirelessly from the ipad, but this means I will need to buy more stuff and will not be able to use my windows based laptop for that function. I am okay with that as long as the ipad/mac mini is really a superior solution.

I have four questions regarding my decision to adopt a mac based or windows based music solution. At this point, I want to focus only on which computing system is best for me and handle dacs, cables, etc. later.
My questions;
1. is the overall consensus that the mac based system is better for hi-rez music playback, considering my goals are very high quality playback, wide bandwidth, low noise, and ease of operation,
2. is there a windows based system that could sound as good and be operated similarly to the ipad/mac mini option, perhaps using my windows based laptop as a control,
3. if I go the mac route, is there any advantage to purchasing a macbook pro over the ipad to control things, assuming I still plan on using the mac mini as the server, and
4. what other questions should I be asking that I haven't asked?

Thanks for any solutions or suggestions you guys care to provide.
mitch2
4est
507 posts
 
I love Macs, and use them for everything but my music server. There are different schools on what or why computers, player programs and file types sound different. Although the general consensus is that noise is the primary issue, there appears to be different views as to what noise to deal with- into the computer, out of the computer or within the computer.

You have mentioned CAPS, and that is one option- a low power motherboard that clips along at a steady speed with isolated USB. Another option, and the one I have chosen over time, is the high power pre-processing that then nearly shuts the computer down as the files play using XXHighend as the player program.

FWIW, I wish I could have stayed with Macs, but XXHighend on w7 sounds the best hands down. It takes some work, but it is worth the efforts. I have used every player on Mac and a well respected Linux based appliance server (Auraliti- similar to a CAPS).
davide256's avatar
davide256
399 posts
 
I'd have to disagree with computer audiophile on processing power, more is better, reducing potential for jitter, cycle steal interference. The problem is that faster clocked motherboards and CPU's become electrically "noisier" and most builders don't have electrical noise reduction as a priority in a consumer product.
ig316b
104 posts
 
Mitch2
Lewinskih01 has a very good point about going the route of USB to SPDIF converter. It provides you the opportunity to isolate your audio system from the computer system. After reading through this posting here about true linear power supplies and the PC I decided to go the route of isolation. If you use your laptop as a starting point for your source your will have the basic idea of a Battery powered CAPS. If you like what you hear with that could build your own dedicated fanless PC or go the MAC route.

By the way I decided to use a PC as I plan to use it as a movie server also. I use a battery powered SPDIF converter that draws its power from a USB port.

P.S. Glad to see you finally posted your SMc Audio TLC Signature, very nice. As promised I didn't say anything till you posted it. Have mine scheduled for go back to Steve later this year when he has time.

If your interested in hearing more you have my e-mail and I will provide more detail reading info for you.
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