I believe that I use the best best of both worlds: PC audio with an USB Wavelength DAC & a Mac Mini Computer plus vinyl with a Galibier TT. It would be hard to choose only one path, but if I were a newbie, with a limited budget, PC audio using an open source codec like FLAC to rip & store, would be my recommendation.
Music Format, too many? which way to go?
Curious what music format would pick today assuming you are just starting getting into music? If you had only say $1-2K to spend on source equipment and considering the price of the various software. Would SACD be a good path? vinyl? CDs are relatively cheap but quality on average yuk!