I'm looking into getting a full sound/music system... I need advice on what soundcards, processors and software would be best.

All that I know I want is Reason and Sibelius, but anything else recommended would be appreciated.

No, I'm not paying for it. So krazy go nuts!

Klipsch speakers, M-Audio soundcard, and your choice of software. Both above are Mac compatible.

Price range? As for processor... As much as I love AMDs, Pentiums are quite a bit better in terms of media encoding, so I'd have to suggest a Pentium (Xeon, maybe?). Although, a dual Opteron machine might work well, too... Or, you could always go for a dual G5 system...

Depends on what you want it for... If you're on a budget and just want to listen to oggs, a SoundBlater Audigy [2] and some Creative Inspire T5400's would work fine. If you want to write the next hit song, well, don't quit your day job.

wharfedale speakers are nice, too...

rogue: I don't have a day job

UD, how much funding do you have? What is your price limit? What are your "benefactors" willing to spend on you?

I reckon about 1000-1200 quid, thats nearing 2000 us dollars, but a lot of stuff is more expensive here anyway *shrug* so...

Sounds like you're looking for something like what I got, with a better sound system...

MSI K8N Neo Platinum
Athlon64 3000+
2x512 MB PC3200 (Mushkin)
Samsung SP1614C (160 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA)
Antec SLK3700-BQE
Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu
8x DVD +/- RW
eVGA GeForce 6800 GT
Creative Inspire T5400
Windows XP Professional OEM

Total price: 1600 USD

Swap out the 6800 GT for a 9800 Pro with VGA Silencer (available premodded on Newegg), and replace the soundcard and speakers with something better (Klipsch speakers, dunno what soundcard), and you've got a nice, powerful computer for under 2000 USD.