just starting - mac vs. windows computer source?


Hello all. I don't know much about the specifics of a computer based audio source, except what I have learned looking thorough the archives. I am still hoping you guys can help me with suggestions that are specific to my situation and considering the current and potential future advantages of using either a windows or mac based system as a music source.

I have a fairly dialed in audio system (see my virtual system under mitch2) but want to now include a computer based source (I know, I am quite late to the party). I currently use a new(ish) windows based laptop for home computing, have external hard drives, and also have a windows based laptop for work. My only mac exposure is the company i-phones we recently adopted, my wife's ipad, and looking at my daughter's macbook pro. I have hundreds of CD's and a very high quality hi-rez player, but none of my music is yet digitized.

I want to add a high quality, great sounding computer based audio source that is at a similar sound quality level as my current player (or better), and I have heard using the ipad as a control and visual display, and the mac mini as a server, is a good way to go. I like the idea of having the mac mini near my gear, so shorter cables to the dac, and I like the idea of controlling everything wirelessly from the ipad, but this means I will need to buy more stuff and will not be able to use my windows based laptop for that function. I am okay with that as long as the ipad/mac mini is really a superior solution.

I have four questions regarding my decision to adopt a mac based or windows based music solution. At this point, I want to focus only on which computing system is best for me and handle dacs, cables, etc. later.
My questions;
1. is the overall consensus that the mac based system is better for hi-rez music playback, considering my goals are very high quality playback, wide bandwidth, low noise, and ease of operation,
2. is there a windows based system that could sound as good and be operated similarly to the ipad/mac mini option, perhaps using my windows based laptop as a control,
3. if I go the mac route, is there any advantage to purchasing a macbook pro over the ipad to control things, assuming I still plan on using the mac mini as the server, and
4. what other questions should I be asking that I haven't asked?

Thanks for any solutions or suggestions you guys care to provide.
mitch2
For the music server novice, Mac seems safest. You don't have to be a software expert to get it right.
After reading Davide256's post, I can't help but agree. I recently bought a laptop with Windows 8 installed. To make a long story short, Win 8 is a nightmare. Its the most poorly designed piece of software I've ever used. I actually wiped it off my hard drive and didn't even take the time to make recovery CD's. Its not too much of a problem for me because Linux is my primary OS. If you are going the Windows route, though, its definitely something to consider. In my opinion, Win 7 would be a much better choice than 8. Mac's are great too. I think more audiophiles use Mac than Windows.
Thanks guys. I have come to the same conclusion for a variety of reasons including no clear evidence that Windows sounds better and the perception that the Mac platform is easier to operate and better supported than Windows. The server hardware seems easier too, when comparing a Mac mini to the available Windows servers, unless you want to DIY. I am going to talk with Small Green Computer tomorrow and see if they change my mind but right now I am leaning toward a Mac mini run from iPad and a DAC.
Mitch2, Thanks for starting this thread. I am in the same position as you, and have decided to delay taking the plunge for a couple more years mostly because i get the feeling that computer audio is a lot of work to get right. Same reason I don't go back to vinyl. I want a hobby, not another chore. But, if one has the time to do the work, it would seem the rewards can be substantial. I think there are many of us that would like an update on your progression once you start putting things together.

Macs rule! Hate PCs. Everything else being close to equal, I'd go Mac every time.
Mitch,

Please keep us updated with your decision and how it turns out for you. As I mentioned earlier, my focus in the next few months will be on the USB converter, but after that will have to make the same decision you are making now and we seem to share many points of view and constraints (eg, I don't know macs beyond my iPad). As of today my thinking is either Mac mini with A+ or CAPS with JRiver and maybe JPlay.

BTW, I think we exchanged a while back when I was getting my Lamm LL2. Was that you?

Best of luck in this next leap forward.