You definitely want to use a higher-end sound card. I recommend the audiophile 2496 from m-audio. The quality of the pci card vs a usb connection is immeasurable. An inexpensive set up is to pick up an older Macintosh tower on ebay just make sure its a model with Firewire connections and that its Airport ready (for wireless) -- you should be able to get one for around $300. Buy the sound card ($150). Then buy external Firewire hard drives to plug into the tower. Buy a wireless card ($60) buy a wireless router ($50). Apple makes software called apple remote desktop which allows you to control computers remotely and wirelessly (around $300).
Heres my set up. I have my old tower as described above running Apple remote desktop with no monitor. Its just sitting next to my rack plugged into my pre amp. I control the unit from anywhere in my house from my laptop running the Apple Remote Desktop client software. Your entire music collection is only a click away.
Heres my set up. I have my old tower as described above running Apple remote desktop with no monitor. Its just sitting next to my rack plugged into my pre amp. I control the unit from anywhere in my house from my laptop running the Apple Remote Desktop client software. Your entire music collection is only a click away.