computer based music solution

Does it have to be a PC or is a Mac a possibility?

The AVI ADM 9.1s sound like they would fit the bill nicely. A bit over your component budget and decent stands would be required but you could spend a bit less on the PC.

I would not worry about getting a better soundcard just try to get a PC with optical output (not a major concern if not because you can get an adapter).The only other requirement I would look for is as large a HDD as possible to give you plenty of space to rip your tunes in a lossless format.

Hi guys, thanks for the replies 

JD,

For some reason my partner is against getting a Mac (God knows why but it is mainly her cash we're using to buy the computer as she uses it for work etc.)

What advantages would a Mac offer over a PC?

 

Messiah,

For some reason I'd not really considered active speakers before, but they'd probably be a good, space saving solution.

It's likely that I will do some of my listening using headphones. With this in mind would it be better to buy separates with my budget or go down the active speaker route (I'm assuming you'd have to plug the headphones into the PC if you have active speakers but plug them into a DAC if I go down the separates route - if so which would give better audio quality)?

Thanks 

 

dangalf:

What advantages would a Mac offer over a PC?

It's an elegant, easy to use, good quality music server out of the box. What it isn't is a business machine (unless your business is design, photography, music making etc). I guess your other half wins...

A Mac is a good idea but is likely to eat up a lot more of your budget.

As far as the headphones are concerned I guess it depends how often you listen to them and the quality you would be happy with. I use a Beresford DAC as this gives me a quality headphone output but to be honest I don't use headphones often.

The AVIs are a great solution and sound excellent and I don't think you could better their sound for the same money. However if headphones are important then you may have to look at other options. If budget allows you could get an external option for the headphones such as the Beresford or headphone amp.

 

I was primarily thinking the entry Mac Mini at £649, which is admittedly top of the OP's budget, and was presuming screen and keyboard were pre-existing. Still worth a look though, particularly if you add a copy of windows in bootcamp - two computers for the price of one (well, for the price of two cheap dells really...)

JohnDuncan:

dangalf:

What advantages would a Mac offer over a PC?

It's an elegant, easy to use, good quality music server out of the box. What it isn't is a business machine (unless your business is design, photography, music making etc). I guess your other half wins...

And to quote the ADM9.1's manufacturer from the AVI website's Q&A section...

"Do I have to use an Apple computer with ADM9.1s?

No, you can use anything with an
optical output. Our customers get very good results with a range of
sources, including Sonos, PS3s, Squeezeboxes, set-top boxes, CD/DVD
players, and many other things. However, many make a switch to Apple
computers because the whole family can use them with ease, and because
they are small and quiet enough for a modern living room. Many customers
get results with Windows computers too, but these tend to be IT
professionals."

 So if you have a family (and you are not an IT professional) then you are better off with a Mac

I didn't realise that IT professionals were not Apple's kind of customer...

Mac's make nice toys for IT pros!

 Not sure why OP wuld want to spend £800  on a mac when he doesn't appear to need a lifestyle ifamily experience, merely asomething to serve music. 

 As for those ADM 9.1s, at £1100 they far exceed the budget, and the OP may like some bass with his music.

 You guys just spent £2000!

Cheap PC is fine.  Streamer(Sonos, Squeezebox Touch etc,). DAC (Cambridge, MFVdac) hif separates or cheaper powered/active speakers, will produce great sounds.

 

Dangalf, I would audition as much as you can, since you are looking for the lot and give the reviews on the site here a good trawl to get a flavour of different products sound.

Why don't we offer 2-3 sets of configurations with suggestions of specific kit for each, e.g:

Mac based (optical):
computer - any recent mac 
dac - ca dacmagic, beresford caiman, arcam rdac, mf v-dac, project dacbox, firestone spitfire, CYP AU-D3 DAC (please continue list of dacs with optical in....)
active speakers - .... (I am not an expert here, please continue list.... one of the recent issues of WHF had a round up)
option - any amp + any passive speakers

Mac based USB:
computer - any mac
dac - ca dacmagic, beresford caiman, arcam rdac, mf v-dac, hrt music streamer, chord chrodette gem (please continue list....)

AVI based:
Computer - any computer with optical out (note only few pcs have optical out but most mac do)
dac, amp, speakers - AVI

PC based (USB):
computer - any PC
dac - ca dacmagic, beresford caiman, arcam rdac, mf v-dac, hrt music streamer, chord chordette gem (please continue list of dacs with USB in....)
active speakers - .... (I am not an expert here, please continue list....)
option - any amp + any passive speakers

PC based (Optical):
computer - only a few pcs have optical out 
dac - ca dacmagic, beresford caiman, arca rdac, mf v-dac, project dacbox, firestone spitfire, CYP AU-D3 DAC (please continue list of dacs with optical in....)
active speakers - .... (I am not an expert here, please continue list.... one of the recent issues of WHF had a round up)
option - any amp + any passive speakers

Morning everyone.

Just like to thanks everyone for their input - it's much appreciated!

Thanks to JD, Chebby and Messiah for the info on Macs and the AVI actives

Thanks to idc and simonclayt for the advice - I will definately be auditioning before I buy

And thanks to AlmaataKZ for the great list of combinations. It made the different options I have a bit clearer and will allow me to build a shortlist for demo purposes.

I have a rough spec for a PC now so will start building a music system soon

dangalf:

Morning everyone.

Just like to thanks everyone for their input - it's much appreciated!

Thanks to JD, Chebby and Messiah for the info on Macs and the AVI actives

Thanks to idc and simonclayt for the advice - I will definately be auditioning before I buy

And thanks to AlmaataKZ for the great list of combinations. It made the different options I have a bit clearer and will allow me to build a shortlist for demo purposes.

I have a rough spec for a PC now so will start building a music system soon

Is the PC just to be used as a music server with a bit of internet use on the side? Or do you need the PC for work or other interests? I ask because if it's the former and you are planning on using a DAC, I would suggest getting one at the cheapest price and spending the extra on better amp/speakers. The DAC at this level should not need to go above £300 (new Arcam one) and could happily be a Beresford/DacMagic/Spitfire/Music Fidelity...

I'm only interested in the PC as a music server/bit of internet, however my partner needs to be able to use it for work (mainly microsoft office applications) and wants to be able to play games on it. I have pointed out to her that she rarely plays games and, when she does it tends to be on a console anyway, and that this will add alot to the price of a PC but for some reason she wants it to be able to play the latest game releases.

This is why she's paying for 80% or so of the PC's overall price - all I need is hard drive space!

JohnDuncan:

I didn't realise that IT professionals were not Apple's kind of customer...

Yes, many generalizations in that quote.