iTunes + Amarra vs high-end CD players

Mac - I dont know. You will have to try them all.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Thank you. What USB port should I use on a 24" iMac (2008)?

Depends on the Amarra version. This is the best one I have found so far:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=105236.0

Got some best of shows with this version.

Also, you will need to do these tweaks to the Mac:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=105944.0

The USB port that you use is also critical. Mac Mini late 2009 with SSD and Snow Leopard is a good choice.

All of these guidelines are documented, so you can follow the instructions.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

My experience with PC-based file playback has been very positive. I use Foobar2000 as a DLNA server to pipe supported audio files (FLAC, WAV, DTS, etc.) to the Oppo BDP-93 located in my main system.

I have found the sound quality to be on par with playback of the same files housed on a shiny disc. And the fact that I no longer have to buy and burn CDs/DVDs is a real bonus. Plus, it is much faster to find the music I wish to listen to using this method than if I were to go searching thru my library of shiny discs.

Good luck!

-RW-

YES !!!!