Making The Switch. Need Suggestions. Options

[the720k]

Well, after my PC died today, I've had it with the PC architecture and have decided to buy a Mac Mini. This has been a long time coming. It's on order now and can't wait till I get it.
To give you a little insight on my situation, here's my PC's setup:

Hardware:
Pentium 4 with 512MB RAM running Windows XP Pro
120GB hard drive
M-Audio Delta Audiophile 2496 Audio Card
M-Audio Oxygen 8 Controller Keyboard
M-Audio Evolution UC-33e Control Unit
M-Audio MidiSport 2x4 USB

Software:
Propellerhead Reason 2.5
Propellerhead Recycle 2.1
Sony Sound Forge 7.0


I use other pieces of software, but these are the bread and butter of the operation. I have already downloaded all my drivers to run the controllers, as well as my Mac copies of Recycle and Reason. I just worry about finding a wave editor that's as good as Sound Forge for the Mac. Is there anything that won't destroy my wallet?

Another concern of mine is the pesky latency issue. I probably should have ordered a PowerMac for its PCI slots, but it's too late, I guess. I have always heard that Macs have been great as far as MIDI latency goes, but it still worries me. I may even decide to plug my Creative Labs Extigy into the Mac Mini so that I can have audio input capability, but that will probably affect my latency, as well, wouldn't it?

At any rate, hope someone can shed some light on this soon-to-be convert!

[oaomdal]

I am also planning to buy a mac for my music, and I am looking for a setup that will fit my use.
I have two M-Audio Delta 1010LT PCI cards, because I need at least 8 analogue outputs. But before ordering a new PowerMac, someone questioned if they could be used on a mac, and I found out that the new PowerMac has PCI-Express, not PCI slots. PCI-Express uses serial data transfer, not paralell, and therefore they are different, and not compatible

Hardware:
...
M-Audio Delta Audiophile 2496 Audio Card
...
I probably should have ordered a PowerMac for its PCI slots, but it's too late, I guess.

So If you still want a PowerMac, order an old used one, and remember to check www.m-audio.com to see if the soundcards are compatible with the desired mac. (Some cards does not work on mac without modifications, and some does not work on spesiffic mac's)

[lepetitmartien]

the720k, remember you'll need RAM and preferably an external firewire HD for audio.

In regards of the wave editor issue, there's a few, but you can use audacity, it's free, else the standard is Peak. One day, the developer of soundforge will learn that macs are great and it'll raise some needed competition…

[gdoubleyou]

Not sure there are Mac drivers for that Creative card.

Mac come standard with 24bit audio with Optical SPDIF I/O, some use the connection with the Apogee Mini Me.

Mac Pros use PCIe, not the old PCI.