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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
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
2,873 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.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Levy and Mitch - If you use the RIGHT software on the Mac, it will crush the best PC setup. iTunes alone will not cut-it. I have lots of customer feedback supporting this also.

The software makes all the difference, as well as the Mac hardware setup. For instance if you use a Mach2music.com Mini and put Amarra version 1.21 on it, it's very live and dynamic, as well as being analog-sounding. Battery power is even better. I have found other player software to be a bit soft on top, so the percussion is not live sounding.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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