New Computer: What Should I Get for Audio?

Thank you, Roscoeiii, Audioengr, and Timlub,

I think I am inclined toward a Windows laptop at this point, but I am considering a Mac laptop. I haven't researched Macs yet, but I have a friend who loves her Mac Pro. This computer is going to be used for everything, so I don't think I am going to want a Mac Mini (which I'm assuming is small :) Can I do everything I need to do with a Mac laptop? Seems reasonable to me that a larger laptop would have everything the mini has; and maybe more.

I am thinking about getting an Oppo 95 modified by Modwright. The Oppo has a USB input, so is that all I would need? (it also has an eStat input..I have no idea what that is). I've learned that Dan Wright is working on a digital input, but I have no idea what that means, i.e., I don't know what advantage that is. Wouldn't a USB drive be all one would need? See what I mean? I'm a real rookie.

Timlub: why would you go Mac if you had the funds?

Thanks again - very much.
John

p.s. Timlub - I too have a very heavily modded tube-output CD player (Exemplar/Denon). I'm puzzled by your comment that "my server/DAC is every bit as good". Puzzled because I thought the point of computer down-loaded hi-rez music was to get much better sound.

Wow…thank you for so many responses. I have to admit, though, that I am overwhelmed already. For example, I don’t have a clue what some of the acronyms and abbreviations mean. I am having difficulty even forming questions, but I’ll start with the most obvious ones.

Roscoe: I don’t understand “You could not use you PC/Mac with an Oppo. It can take hard drives or flash drives and then you choose music on screen with the remote.” What’s the point of the Oppo having a USB input (or eStat, whatever that is) if it can’t be used "with" a PC/Mac? And I don’t understand what your second sentence means at all. I guess I’m dumber than I thought when it comes to “computer audio”.

I guess a question is “what is a digital input?” Dan Wright is working on a digital input for the Oppo 95, and people are excited about it. If USB (or eStat again) isn’t already a digital input, what the heck is it? I think I must be missing some very fundamental knowledge that most everyone takes for granted?

Alex: I’m not sure what this - “(x64)” - next to Windows 7 means? That I want a 64 bit computer to play hi-rez files? Also, what’s the “HT”in front “PC” - i.e., “HTPC” – mean? (just Googled this…Home Theater…man, this gets complicated to think about…I have separate audio and video systems…the video not nearly as good for audio…and don’t have much room or flexibility to adjust)

I just noticed this: Timlub says “Any Windows machine will include an optical drive, so you would need a USB DAC”. Again, why couldn’t I use the Oppo, since it has a USB input?

Alex mentions ripping CDs. I don’t care about doing that, although I suppose people might be thinking that down the road I’m going to want to do that. For now, though, I’m just interested in being able to access hi-rez files and play them through a high-end audio system. On the other hand, based on what Timlub is saying, maybe I don’t need to do this at all. ??? (I’ve been assuming that I could potentially get much better sound with hi-rez files…maybe even sounding as good as great analog? Maybe the differences between truly great Redbook on today’s best players (e.g., Playback Designs, the Modwright Oppo, etc) and hi-rez files is not that big? Maybe I should just get a Modwright Oppo (considered by at least one guy on Agon to be significantly better than the Playback Designs player), and forget about computer audio.

A final thought:
I clearly do not know what I don’t know.

Sorry for so many questions. ALL your answers are much appreciated!

Thanks Steve. That's very helpful information.

Is there a sonic advantage to ripping one's CDs? Or is it a matter of convenience?