You have gotten great replies.
I'd like to add "best" is in the eye of the beholder. For best sound, a server such a Doggiebrowser mentioned (which I use) or a modded Mac Mini. For really best sound you will need to spend a fair amount of time tweaking hardware and software, which in itself defeats the attractiveness and right there it stops being the best option for some. For example, for acoustics you don't want a computer screen in between your speakers, so headless operation is "best" for sound, plus you turn off the video circuits inside the server so there is less electrical noise within, hence allegedly less jitter.
Either Windows based or Mac laptop would be best in terms of simplicity and could get you very good sonics if you are inclined to tweak yhe software piece. Or use the Audiophile Optimizer with a Windows Server 2012 based laptop.
My suggestion is to first decide Mac or Win based on which system you are most comfortable working on today. Either one can provide outstanding sound from what I read (I never owned a Mac server).
Then decide laptop or server. If you haven't been using computers as source I would recommend getting a laptop, even an older one will do OK, and familiarize yourself with computer audio. Some people just don't like it, so better learn this with low investment in time and money. My two cents :-)
I'd like to add "best" is in the eye of the beholder. For best sound, a server such a Doggiebrowser mentioned (which I use) or a modded Mac Mini. For really best sound you will need to spend a fair amount of time tweaking hardware and software, which in itself defeats the attractiveness and right there it stops being the best option for some. For example, for acoustics you don't want a computer screen in between your speakers, so headless operation is "best" for sound, plus you turn off the video circuits inside the server so there is less electrical noise within, hence allegedly less jitter.
Either Windows based or Mac laptop would be best in terms of simplicity and could get you very good sonics if you are inclined to tweak yhe software piece. Or use the Audiophile Optimizer with a Windows Server 2012 based laptop.
My suggestion is to first decide Mac or Win based on which system you are most comfortable working on today. Either one can provide outstanding sound from what I read (I never owned a Mac server).
Then decide laptop or server. If you haven't been using computers as source I would recommend getting a laptop, even an older one will do OK, and familiarize yourself with computer audio. Some people just don't like it, so better learn this with low investment in time and money. My two cents :-)