I am currently researching options myself and I am being lured into investing in a Bluetooth-enabled and WiFi enabled Apple Mac Mini and Sailing Software's Clicker software to use a Palm or other Bluetooth-enabled PDA device to control the Mac Mini. I would use the Mac Mini as a dedicated music server, so I wouldn't need a display, keyboard or mouse for normal use. I am actually waiting with bated breath for the new Intel-powered Mac Minis that may came out at Macworld next month.
For a DAC, I am looking into Wavelength Audio's Brick USB DAC. It has received great reviews from Art Dudley of "Stereophile" and the Webzine "Enjoy the Music." Gordon Rankin of Wavelength Audio presents a strong case for using the USB bus as a digital transport for virtually eliminating jitter and other digital transport errors. Coupled with the fact that a PC (Mac or Wintel machine) is capable of delivering an error-free digital audio signal (memory buffers, hard drive error correction, etc.), a USB DAC makes good sense. Check out Wavelength Audio's Web site (http://www.wavelengthaudio.com/usbdac.html) and read about this emerging, and possibly disruptive, audio technology. I've also contacted Ack! Industries (http://www.ack-industries.com/dAck!.html) and they are developing a USB-enabled DAC as well. Another great argument for PC-based audio systems comes from Steve Nugent of Empirical Audio (http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue22/nugent.htm). Mr. Nugent is a former Intel engineer.
Because the Airport Express relies on an optical digital signal transmission, you may lose some quality of the digital signal from the optical-electrical signal conversion that could result in digital jitter. I'd stick with a hard wired S/PDIF, or better yet USB, connection.
If you choose the PC route, check out the offerings from Hush Technologies, a German Wintel PC manufacturer that uses fanless PC cooling. They employ heat pipes, heat sink fins and other acoustical and mechanical damping technolgies for creating a media-friendly PC. They offer remote options as well as a WiFi-to-Pocket PC connection option for remote control.
For a DAC, I am looking into Wavelength Audio's Brick USB DAC. It has received great reviews from Art Dudley of "Stereophile" and the Webzine "Enjoy the Music." Gordon Rankin of Wavelength Audio presents a strong case for using the USB bus as a digital transport for virtually eliminating jitter and other digital transport errors. Coupled with the fact that a PC (Mac or Wintel machine) is capable of delivering an error-free digital audio signal (memory buffers, hard drive error correction, etc.), a USB DAC makes good sense. Check out Wavelength Audio's Web site (http://www.wavelengthaudio.com/usbdac.html) and read about this emerging, and possibly disruptive, audio technology. I've also contacted Ack! Industries (http://www.ack-industries.com/dAck!.html) and they are developing a USB-enabled DAC as well. Another great argument for PC-based audio systems comes from Steve Nugent of Empirical Audio (http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue22/nugent.htm). Mr. Nugent is a former Intel engineer.
Because the Airport Express relies on an optical digital signal transmission, you may lose some quality of the digital signal from the optical-electrical signal conversion that could result in digital jitter. I'd stick with a hard wired S/PDIF, or better yet USB, connection.
If you choose the PC route, check out the offerings from Hush Technologies, a German Wintel PC manufacturer that uses fanless PC cooling. They employ heat pipes, heat sink fins and other acoustical and mechanical damping technolgies for creating a media-friendly PC. They offer remote options as well as a WiFi-to-Pocket PC connection option for remote control.