Highest Possible Sound Quality from iTunes

[Confused]

@deviosalet - Thanks for a very informative response. To clarify your initial point, the intent would be to have iTunes as a library manager, if other software would improve sound quality, then why not. Other than a little hassle in setting up, I see no disadvantages. Using iTunes as a library manager with other hardware acting as a 'player' would be fine too, anything goes here! Although I am not sure that this is even technically possible. If I draw the line anywhere I guess it would be at building bespoke equipment, but 'mods' in terms of adding an SSD or specialist software would all be fine.

Interesting that a reasonably affordable 2012 Mac Mini is the some kind of Mac pinnacle for this! I've just had a look on eBay, there are a few 2012 i7 2.3GHz examples in the £600 - £700 range.

I too have read similar comments re Mac vs Melco, but how your proposed solution, maybe with the addition of a Mutec would perform, I really have no idea!