A little off topic, got into computer music a year or so ago and bought a 21" iMac specifically for this purpose. I'm using Audionirvana Plus for playback. The user Interface is about a good as it gets, works seamlessly with iPhone and iPad as a remote, sounds very nice as well. No whirling fans either.
Just to try out PC audio i had my IT guy build me a PC specifically for the purpose, with the latest greatest mother board with a digital RCA out directly on the board it self, extra beefy power supply etc. I loaded J River for the playback engine. It sounds very nice too. However the user interface is terrible, maybe the learning curve is greater with this system. Also, wires everywhere, separate monitor, whirling noisy fans.
I do think that the sound is very nice of the PC set-up, however I'd recommend a iMac dedicated playback system over a PC based one any day.
Good Listening
Peter
Just to try out PC audio i had my IT guy build me a PC specifically for the purpose, with the latest greatest mother board with a digital RCA out directly on the board it self, extra beefy power supply etc. I loaded J River for the playback engine. It sounds very nice too. However the user interface is terrible, maybe the learning curve is greater with this system. Also, wires everywhere, separate monitor, whirling noisy fans.
I do think that the sound is very nice of the PC set-up, however I'd recommend a iMac dedicated playback system over a PC based one any day.
Good Listening
Peter