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Computer Audio – Help Getting Started

I want to add a computer based audio source. My goals are to store a majority of my music collection on a computer accessed hard drive (with back up) and have the ability to easily play those digital files through my main system. I would also like the ability to copy selected music from the hard drive onto a small portable hard drive (or a thumb drive?) so I can play it at remote locations such as an office system. I will consider playback hardware (DAC's etc.) at a later time.

Before I start ripping desired CD’s to my computer, I suspect I will need to first decide which type of computer and operating system I will be using (Mac or Windows). Since I already have a home desktop and work laptop that use a Windows based OS, given that I am not interested in i-tunes, and knowing that Windows based laptops are about half the cost of a MacBook Pro, are there any compelling reasons why I should consider purchasing a Mac over a similar featured Windows based laptop as a dedicated computer for my audio?

Once this first decision is made, then I am sure to have more questions about specific software I should use for ripping and playback to preserve the highest quality sound possible, hopefully to match my CD source components. Thanks for any help provided.
mitch2
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
I went through the selection process just about a year ago. I chose a Mac Mini for simplicity. I ripped maybe a third of my cds in AIFF and store them on an external hard drive.
The two advantages that sold me were the size of the Mini and the fact that I can control it remotely with the ipod touch. The Mini sits on the equipment rack with no monitor hooked up, just a very small USB keyboard and a remote mouse (which is turned off unless needed). I hook a monitor to it once a month or so to check for updates.
The Mac's optical out feeds a Monarchy Super Drive DIP which in turn feeds a PS Audio DLIII. My favorite way to listen is to call up "all songs" on the touch and select shuffle. Never know whats coming next.
richardfinegold
196 posts
 
Regarding DACs, I use a firewire dAC, which is another vote in favor of Macs (although some Windows computers have firewire outputs, such as Sony VAIO).
My only experience with a non asynchronous USB is via the aforementioned
Marantz NA 7004. I would like to try Empirical Audio Off Ramp and Musical Fidelity V_Link but I have no experience as yet with these products. If your budget will allow for the Weiss DAC I would strongly consider pairing that with
a firewire output PC.
I've also used a MacMini similar to the way that Timrhu has and was very pleased, and I second his comments about the space savings offered by a MacMini.
rwwear
2,852 posts
 
Firewire can be added easily to most PC's. My Sony and one of my HP's have it. They have HDMI for audio and video too. I also like Media Center which is great for Netflix, movies, internet TV etc.
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
The Berekley Audio AlphaDAC is also well regarded. I would add it to your list to consider.
levy03
442 posts
 
countless ways to put together a nice computer based system. my head was spinning when looking into all the options. i understand that apple had an edge at one time but after doing some research, i walked away thinking those advantages disappeared in the last year or two. seems personal preference played a roll in many folks saying one was better then the other.

all things being equal, i didn't come accross anything showing one was in fact better regarding SQ. seems one might work better for certain set-ups but the set-up was the determining factor...not the computer.

would like to hear why Steve thinks mac's are "better". after declaring other opinions as uninformed and wrong (rather rudely i might add), i'd like to hear something concrete from an "expert" as to why macs are *always* better.
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