How to configure a PC for outstanding Audio?

Synthfreek,
Windows 7 isn't Vista or any of MS former iterations. It is
a new OS plain and simple.
I would encourage you to atleast try it before all the
negativity. Follow Al's link and boot it up!
Windows 7 is very hard not to like!

Unlike the former OS builds. This one isn't being rushed to
the market. MS has figured out what they need to do to make
things right after the former blunders.

I've been using Windows 7 for roughly 7 months now. It is
the real deal. I have no interest in using anything else
because of it.

I have Windows 7 on a second hard drive, Linux on the other. I have been a Linux user for some time now, and only used windows when I had to...so not very often.

I agree with Gmood1...Windows 7 is a "fantastic" operating system. I was running the beta and now I have RC installed. (I'm glad I have it for free for one year!)

The media center is very nice. I'm using USB converter to Monarchy DAC, to main system, and desktop system.

Dave

I promise I didn't mean to set-off a bi-polar comuting war...really!

Let's recap some good things you folks have tought me here:

1) HTPC can be a good thing, and if field-proven by the idiot-cast (such as myself) Windows 7 might be an ideal OS for this.

2) Whether using HTPC or a "normal" PC an external DAC is the way to go presently. Anybody besides me see the need for an audiophile quality HTPC (or MAC) that would find a way of housing both and offer the computer advantages of being able to adapt to latest media format, download the Dolby / THX / Et al flavor-of-the-month?...as well as store a good chunk of your media?

OK, now back to specifics and today's world: What HTPC (we had a Dell candidiate earlier)? and what DAC? Any way to hit $1000 with this? Now if we are getting a new PC in the deal (my other sit-down hobby is photograhy) I could see the investment..err-OK..expenditure...moving up to $1500 to $2000.

So where do we go in these two scenarios...dedicated HTPC and new PC with HT capability?

Thanks for the lively discussion.

Mark

I suggest you build your own computer, "Newegg" and "Tiger Direct" have everthing you need to roll your own. There is nothing hard about it...mostly research on the parts you need, and or want for "your" system.

You should come in at under $1,000 for an outstanding computer system. Install two hard drives....Linux mint 64 bit on one (free), and Windows 7 64 bit on the other (free for a year).

Dave

Mark -- I think you'll find reading through this thread about Squeezebox approaches to be very thought-provoking, and perhaps particularly applicable because it could facilitate using a high performance desktop pc that would be a good way of serving your photography and other purposes in addition to being a music server:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1238443306

Regards,
-- Al