Oh, I'd also strongly recommend a silent PC as a client wherever you have space for it and a monitor/TV.
from it, you may simply access media via shares/smb, or you may run any media collection manager/player. As Bruno said, Windows Media Center is not a bad option, and only costs $10 in addition to the Windows 8 Pro license (relatively cheap for few months after release), for example. Or, XBMC as a free alternative, and possibly others. Also, you'll be able to use all sorts of different players if needed. I like Foobar for some multichannel tracks, and it works very nicely if you wish to connect to an Amp. Of course, a Silent PC won't work in every room.