I think if you want to go the MacMini route, you can consider the Mojo mods which replaces the switched mode internal PSU with a DC filtered board. There's an external linear PSU that's larger than 4 Minis :P
A custom built CAPS server may sound better if care is taken in the choice of components. Like others have highlighted, there are audiophile/esoteric PSUs (fanless), USB cards etc which can make a difference.
But if there's one thing I am not too keen on with Windows setups is how it progressively gets slower with each update from Microsoft. I'm now currently typing this on a freshly installed BootCamped MBP 13" dual core (circa 2009) and it's surprisingly zippy compared to a quad core that was last clean formatted about a year ago.
I don't find this to be the case with my Macs.
The other reason I use Macs is cos I use iTunes for my music archiving (also sync-ing with my iPod/iPhone/iPad etc) and I use the free Remote app on iOS to control the headless Mini (it works with PureMusic/AudirvanaPlus/Amarra etc). iTunes for PC is a bit more bloated and less integrated with the OS.
A custom built CAPS server may sound better if care is taken in the choice of components. Like others have highlighted, there are audiophile/esoteric PSUs (fanless), USB cards etc which can make a difference.
But if there's one thing I am not too keen on with Windows setups is how it progressively gets slower with each update from Microsoft. I'm now currently typing this on a freshly installed BootCamped MBP 13" dual core (circa 2009) and it's surprisingly zippy compared to a quad core that was last clean formatted about a year ago.
I don't find this to be the case with my Macs.
The other reason I use Macs is cos I use iTunes for my music archiving (also sync-ing with my iPod/iPhone/iPad etc) and I use the free Remote app on iOS to control the headless Mini (it works with PureMusic/AudirvanaPlus/Amarra etc). iTunes for PC is a bit more bloated and less integrated with the OS.