Computer Audio – Help Getting Started

i just moved to computer audio and went through the same decision process. was in the same position as you are. long time pc user debating if apple was the better route. ended up getting a very nice pc and could not be happier. for under $700, it was a no brainer compared to an apple product. what does $700 get ya??

intel i5 w/WIN7 64 bit pro
8g memory
2g graphics card
3T worth of high speed hard drive space
network/streaming hardware (router and ethernet adapter)
J River MC16
wireless keyboard and mouse

apple makes great stuff and if you're already onboard...it's a good way to go. however...if you're a pc person, i see no compelling reason to pay a lot more and change over to apple. with the intro of WIN7, the choice was made even easier for me. it's far and away the best OS microsoft has ever produced. miles ahead of vista and other problematic microsoft os's.

if you're like me and need a pc for home and work, switching to apple just for music makes little sense imho.

First, thanks to those who recommended the computeraudiophile site. While I have been browsing it, your recommendations prompted me to dig deeper and find some really good information.

Second, much thanks to Richardfinegold and Levy03. Your responses are exactly the type of user specific information that I was hoping to obtain by asking questions on this site. The only reasons I could think of to purchase a Mac would have been if it were considerably easier to extract the music or if there were noticably superior software available for Mac only. However, since my other computers are Windows based, and since I don't listen to an i-pod, the reasons I am hearing to put Mac above a Windows PC are; better virus control, better build quality, perhaps a little easier to extract bit perfect files, and a more "historical" reputation as a leader in computer audio (let me know if I am missing something). In favor of a Windows PC are; compatibility with my other computers, lower price, and availability of a wider range of (less costly) upgrades as the industry advances. Thanks for the specific recommendations and please keep them coming.

I am looking forward to getting into hardware selection because of the many new products that seem to come out almost weekly. I want a high quality solution to at least equal the sound of my MUSE Erato II and Ayre C-5xeMP players. It seems Empirical Audio, Wavelength, and Weiss gear is generally out in front, with the Ayre QB-9 a half step back. I believe there are likely others to consider and after reading the recent 6-Moons preview, I would be interested in hearing how something like the Metrum Acoustics Octave with a Stello U3 might stack up (at a much lower price than the first three listed). However, I need to nail down the software side of things first. Thanks again for the help.

Mitch2 - everyone on the forums appears to be an expert, but believe me they are not.

For ripping purposes, you dont need a Mac, but for playback Mac works best.

If you only have a PC, just pay $35 and get dbpoweramp and start ripping with accurate-rip enabled. This will give you great rips in AIFF, wav or FLAC. You cant go wrong if you do this.

Other tips (no advertising):

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Steve: what makes you say macs work best?. i did some a/b streaming with a friends macbook pro and could not tell a difference. they sounded identical in my set-up.

Thanks Steve for weighing in and for the link. I like what you have done with the recent Overdrive changes that make it more affordable and an easier one-box solution for maximum sound quality. Are you saying Mac works best because it is the easiest or because it sounds better, or both?