Maybe the final decision has more to do with personal needs, price/upgrade policies, support and origin of the product. They also have apps to control your server from an iPad or phone. JRiver has lots of choice in viewing (skins) and Audivarna is very clean on it's interface. I have found Pure Music to be a little clunky moving around but that's more about getting use to it. JRiver is cross platform, can rip CD's/DVD's and organize images if you need those features.

I can say that Pure Music and Audivarni are very Mac like although JRiver originally a PC program is easy to get the feel for. The discussion on source, cables, power supplies etc can go on but my gut feeling is that all three players would still be similar in SQ elevated to similar degrees by the modifications. Also the addition of W4S Recovery unit or the use of a more dedicated music server say a Mac Mini. Perhaps more differences between players would be realized with a shorter and/or higher quality cable. Finally the USB cable is a Belkin Gold Series 5 meters long. The USB port connecting to the DAC in my 2500, is shared with the keyboard/track pad and card reader. I am using a 2010 MacBookPro with 8 gigs of RAM and a Samsung SSD. They all sound pretty much the same to me. Switching back and forth in extended listening sessions, I can't say which is better. The sound is fuller and richer almost making ITunes sound 'transistor radio' like. All are a definite improvement in sound quality over ITunes. I have been experimenting with several over the past week or so.

Hqplayer mac