joemarsh

OK, I am a general newbie at this and am overwhelmed by all the choices available. My ultimate goal is to build a networked system that can serve music to different rooms and the patio. I currently have a 1Tb harddrive with Apple Lossless and MP3 files attached to a MacMini that directly goes into an NAD receiver in my bedroom. The different files are stored separately in ITunes libraries controlled by a Douglas Booth program. Files are controlled by ITunes with a monitor attached to the MacMini. For a bedroom system this has been nice. I want to move the harddrive to the big rig in the living room and serve it. I want this to be SIMPLE. Not too many boxes to deal with. IE I want my wife to be able to use it. I am also interested in using Airplay or what have you to serve to an speaker on the patio. I am familiar with streamers such as the Olive Musica, which I own. I never really got this networked to my satisfaction and then they stopped supporting it. I found the interface lackluster and am less than enthused. Questions are: 1) Should just get a DAC for the MacMini and be done with it? Pros/cons. 2) If so, I'd have to use the TV as a monitor. Is there a more elegant control interface? 3) What about using the digital input on an Oppo player like the 105? What does that user interface look like? 4) What about Streamers? What are their advantages? Thanks for your knowledge!