iMac vs. PC Laptop


I am currently weighing the pros/cons of an iMac vs. a PC laptop for a variety of uses at home, including as a digital music server. Can someone educate me on the pros/cons of each as they pertain specifically to setting up and running a digital music server? Ideally, I would like to go wireless to a DAC.

The rest of the system is a Rotel 1067 pre-amp/1075 amp, Paradigm Studio60 V.3 speakers, matching center and rears (current sources are Music Hall CD25.2 CD player, Oppo DVD).

Thanks to all.
fishbone
Your best bet is to use PC + Itunes + Apple Lossess + Sqeezebox for a while until the new Windows comes out...

That's what I'm doing now... I'm using USB + External DAC for my main system and Sqeezebox for my second system.
The PC with upsampling to 24/96 delivers the best quality (with ASIO and SRC), but the MAC is superior at 16/44.1

Less hassle with the MAC to set it up, but you are limited to iTunes. They both sound identical whan using the AE, and they are limited to 16/44.1 with the AE.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer
Thanks to all...this has been a real learning experience.

So, will PC at 24/96 deliver the same sound quality as my Music Hall cd25.2 CD player? Opinions?
A question for Steve, I have been contemplating your Turbomod for my DAC1, what are your thoughts on the value of completing the mod and continuing to use a Squeezebox and feed to the DAC1 via spdif? Is there a major difference in going straight from a usb offramp to DAC?
24/96 vs. Music Hall CDP: assuming you're playing back lossless audio on the PC, the potential's there. Would you be using the CDP as your DAC?

I agree that wifi can be a real stumbling block. Audio drop-outs are a big disappointment when you've taken the time to sit down to listen. Likewise, trying to limit the load on your network while playing audio is a real drag--not that you can't learn to think that way, but it sure isn't helpful in terms of ease-of-use (or SAF, for that matter). Yes a wired connection means you have to run a wire, but it sure erases some other bothersome issues.

You mention a "variety of uses" for the computer you want to buy. Would those uses also include video streaming/playback? Plus the laptop/desktop is important to figure out, even just in terms of being connected to the network so you can play back music at all.

I'm not a listmaker by trade, but I sure found it helpful when I went to put together my own computer-based system. First, list out what you want your system to do, with some mind for what are must-haves and what would just be nice. Second, draw up a map of what components you'll need. Will you need an outboard DAC? Can you get digital audio directly out of your computer, or will that take an additional device? Third, mark out your budget for the whole project. Fourth, figure out how 1-3 match up.

I will say that, although sound is obviously very important, the way you access your music is also very important. You want to make it as easy to use as possible, otherwise what's the point of ripping all these CDs, spending money to add this to your system when you can just drop a CD into a tray?