I set mine up about a year ago after much research and question asking. Here's what I ended up with:
1. Mac mini (new) with an ipod touch as remote control. I have a usb keyboard attached to the mini and a wireless mouse. Once a month or so I hook up a monitor to see if anything requires updating other than that the mini is pretty unobtrusive (check my system).
2. PS Audio DLIII (new) actually bought it here but it had never been used.
3. Monarchy Audio DIP, this was a later add on and brought the sound quality up dramatically.
I use a cheap mini toslink cable to the DIP with a ZU digital cable (forgot model) to DLIII.
Currently using itunes with music ripped as AIFF files to an external hard drive. I'm just too lazy to look into another software program to manage the music as it sounds pretty darn good right now.
With more than 5,000 songs on the hard drive, my favorite way to listen is call up all songs and shuffle. I probably do listen more to the Mac than my cdp, but if I want to listen critically I use the cdp. The Mac is just so freakin easy to use.
Good luck however you go and keep us posted on your progress.
1. Mac mini (new) with an ipod touch as remote control. I have a usb keyboard attached to the mini and a wireless mouse. Once a month or so I hook up a monitor to see if anything requires updating other than that the mini is pretty unobtrusive (check my system).
2. PS Audio DLIII (new) actually bought it here but it had never been used.
3. Monarchy Audio DIP, this was a later add on and brought the sound quality up dramatically.
I use a cheap mini toslink cable to the DIP with a ZU digital cable (forgot model) to DLIII.
Currently using itunes with music ripped as AIFF files to an external hard drive. I'm just too lazy to look into another software program to manage the music as it sounds pretty darn good right now.
With more than 5,000 songs on the hard drive, my favorite way to listen is call up all songs and shuffle. I probably do listen more to the Mac than my cdp, but if I want to listen critically I use the cdp. The Mac is just so freakin easy to use.
Good luck however you go and keep us posted on your progress.