Media Servers, Access Devices, and Extenders

So, what program is best controlled with an iPAD as a full function remote? Is it Pure Music or Amarra or J River? Based on 2011 CES most people were using one of these three programs and most using iPAD as a remote control.  Any thoughts? Are there special Apps for iPAD regarding this? and if so what server softaware is controlled best by it.  If there are limitations of each what are they?

I hope I'm posting to the correct area.
Im looking for a reasonable priced network player like NAIM NDX
http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-product-type/577
or LINN Klimax DS
http://www.linn.co.uk/klimax_ds
Can anyone suggest one?
Or is there a way to press a computer into service to do the job?
I wish to play my hard-disk based FLAC's through my hi-fi system (i.e. a poor man's media server)
 

Slowly contemplating either building and/or buying a music server.  Like the cost and ability to customize provided by building one myself from Apple TV or a computer-based system like a Mac Mini.  Other the other hand, the truth is that I don't have a lot of time to deal with any "issues" assorted with making such a system work.  Thus, it may make sense for me to spend the extra money and buy a dedicated system.

In the latest Absolute Sound it reads like the reviewer is able to transfer flac files from his Sooloos to his iPod. I gotta learn how. Must be a conversion going on, on the fly? Tips?

Cardas advertised USB Audio Cards on page 3 of TAS issue 203 (june/july 2010).  I'm looking to find if any other lables provide this format for music.  However, all my searches on the web for "usb audio cards" point me to sound cards for pcs that have usb access.  Is this a one-of-a-kind for Cardas?  Is there a different terminology for this format that I should search on?

Has anyone used these volume leveling adaptors?

I recently bought one of those Sony home theater in a box easy set up deals, and I'm afraid the bass is going to keep the kid awake, so I usually turn it down at night and then back up that next evening. At least that's the plan I end up forgetting to turn it back up so basically I'm not utilizing my bass at all.

Video on an iPod. Nope. You tube...

I'm so ignorant on the new mod cons that I dont even know if I'm in the right forum topic, but what is the "best" way to put my irreplaceable vhs tapes onto dvd?  "Best" = quality or price or (for me)simplest.  I have an iMac which God has designed to punish me for my sins in several previous lives.  I have a GREAT stereo system which I've spent 50 years building up to:  Conrad-Johnson CT 5 preamp, Marsh A400 amp, Nottingham 294 'table and arm, Dynavector 17D3 cartridge, Musical Fidelity 308 cd used as a deck, Lavry Engineering DA 10 dac and Dunlavy S

Does the PS3 pretty much do everything one needs for movie and TV downloads?  Seems nice to get a blu-ray player for only a bit more than Apple TV alone.

 Here's an update to a depressing attempt to secure 1080P on-demand downloads from Direct TV. Most folks I've spoken to don't even know this is available. That's right, its here right now! But here's the catch. First, I tried to buy a Blu-Ray player that was equipped for wireless because some idiot at Best Buy told me I would be able to get 1080P downloads over Netflix. Totally wrong. There is only a limited amount of HD content available for download which is 1080i. Most of it is satndard DVD at 480p. Then, I was thrilled when I saw that Direct TV offered 1080P downloads.