Mike,
How much money do you want to throw at this to be able to play digital music? Are you playing hi rez files or is all of your stuff just ripped from CD? When you say "Apple lossless" are you actually talking about Apple Lossless or are you talking about AIFF format? If you are going to be playing hi rez files, are they going to be 24/96 or 24/192?
If all you are going to be playing is ripped CDs, I'd be very hard pressed to say that the Bryston unit is worth up to 20Xs the price of the AppleTV.
Although I don't doubt that the Bryston unit is very nice, there are alternatives that do the same thing that the Bryston unit does.
If you can give a more concise assessment of your needs, it might help you to make up your mind.
Alternatives that are available and come immediately to mind are, of course, the AppleTV, Logititech Squeezebox Touch, Logitech Transporter and Sonos.
Heck, if all you're worried about is playing ripped CDs, a Sonos runs $350, new. If you want to improve the sound, have it modified by Wyred4Sound for another $500. Another $300 for a cheap 2TB NAS and you're set. The one thing that I can say about the Sonos is that the hardware and software are bullet proof. A six year old can operate it, and I mean that literally.
Just be aware, before you dive in head first, that if you decide to go the hi rez route (24/192 files, etc.), be aware that downloading from a service is the only way that I am aware of to get hi rez music.
I download most of my stuff from HDTracks (largest selection) and have found that getting a hi rez download that actually sounds appreciably better than a ripped CD is hit and miss. With some albums, the difference is astounding. With most, I'm just left with a feeling that I paid too much for a CD.
