How to introduce computer audio to my system?

I think Audirvana Plus beta (v11) with Mountain Lion with a USB device that supports Integer and Direct mode is pretty amazing. I did disable some of the background processes (IR, Spotlight, Quit Finder, Spaces, Dashboard). A+ also has a system optimiser.

How to introduce computer audio to my system?

"Hi system, this is our new friend computer audio." seems appropriate.:)

Simple test. If doggiehowser's post reads like Chinese to you (and you have no desire to learn Chinese), get a turnkey dedicated music server. If not, buy a Mac or PC.

The Weiss MAN301 in the server-only version has a built in CD transport and looks like something that could connect right to the AES/EBU DAC inputs of my EMM player. (Not quite ready to spend $9000, but maybe a used one will show up and I'll wait to save up...).

The Bryston BDP2 has no transport so I would first have to copy my CDs to an external drive I guess and then copy the file to the Bryston (just by USB I suppose).

I of course would be looking for the equivalent sound quality that I get from playing CDs directly on my EMM XDS1.

I got this guide when it was still free

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=98931.0

If the Mini with no display is too difficult to set up/manage, a MacBook Pro 13" works just as well. Just get the SSD option. That's what they use in a lot of audio shows now.