I selected the MAC Book Pro computer because I did not want to deal with Microsoft, their operating system and virus issues. Overall, I believe the MAC is a better platform for what I wanted to do.
My MAC Book Pro computer has 4 GB RAM and the 120GB solid state drive. I am using the Seaport Free Agent Go Pro 500GB external hard drive to store my music files (a 2nd one for backup). My MAC Book Pro computer is connected to the Furman AC-215 power conditioner. The Furman is required so the MAC does not interfere with the audio components. See www.furmansound.com/product.ph. Ayre recommended I use an external drive for better music quality and not the hard drive on the computer. It sounds better if it is on a different controller than the DAC, which means a FireWire hard drive. I used a portable external drive that has a 2.5" drive inside it. The advantage of this over a bigger external hard drive with a 3.5" drive is that it will be much quieter and it will run off the power provided by the bus.
The MAC USB output is connected to my Ayre USB QB-9 DAC. Wow! I was very impressed with the way it sounds. It is better sounding then my Ayre CX-7e CD player. The highs are better and so is the bass. The music is clearer and more engaging. I am using the Transparent USB Cable from the computer to the Ayre DAC. My CD's are stored using the AIFF format.
The major issue was the computer in terms of what model, how much RAM, hard drive and external drives. Ayre was very helpful (www.ayre.com) and so was my audio store, Music Lovers Audio in Berkeley, CA. I checked and double checked everything to ensure I made no mistakes. Everyone I talked said to get the MAC and not a PC.
If you decide to move in this direction, I suggest working with a high quality audio store to help you configure the needed components. I am a PC person and this is my first MAC computer. It is very easy to use and iTunes does a great job of managing the music.
My MAC Book Pro computer has 4 GB RAM and the 120GB solid state drive. I am using the Seaport Free Agent Go Pro 500GB external hard drive to store my music files (a 2nd one for backup). My MAC Book Pro computer is connected to the Furman AC-215 power conditioner. The Furman is required so the MAC does not interfere with the audio components. See www.furmansound.com/product.ph. Ayre recommended I use an external drive for better music quality and not the hard drive on the computer. It sounds better if it is on a different controller than the DAC, which means a FireWire hard drive. I used a portable external drive that has a 2.5" drive inside it. The advantage of this over a bigger external hard drive with a 3.5" drive is that it will be much quieter and it will run off the power provided by the bus.
The MAC USB output is connected to my Ayre USB QB-9 DAC. Wow! I was very impressed with the way it sounds. It is better sounding then my Ayre CX-7e CD player. The highs are better and so is the bass. The music is clearer and more engaging. I am using the Transparent USB Cable from the computer to the Ayre DAC. My CD's are stored using the AIFF format.
The major issue was the computer in terms of what model, how much RAM, hard drive and external drives. Ayre was very helpful (www.ayre.com) and so was my audio store, Music Lovers Audio in Berkeley, CA. I checked and double checked everything to ensure I made no mistakes. Everyone I talked said to get the MAC and not a PC.
If you decide to move in this direction, I suggest working with a high quality audio store to help you configure the needed components. I am a PC person and this is my first MAC computer. It is very easy to use and iTunes does a great job of managing the music.