Newbie Questions

[rdono61]

I am a 61 year old audiophile who is making the jump to "computer audio." After research I have ordered a Synology 214+ to use with an Auralic Vega DAC and Aries streamer, connected to an iMac in a home network. Auralic recommends the Minim, so I want to download it but know only enough about computers to be dangerous. Once I get the system operating I will proceed to rip my 800 or so CDs.
I would appreciate being directed to any websites or posts to help me set the software up, recommend the best workflow, and any warnings about common problems. Specific questions:

1. Am I downloading the MinimServer onto the NAS drive or onto my iMac? If the former, how do I tell the computer to download onto the NAS?

2. Do I understand correctly that I also need to downloadMinimWatch onto my iMac?

3. Do I also need to download MiniMStreamer in order to control the music library on an iPad?

4. Does MiniM take the place of iTunes?

5. Does it matter what software I use to rip CDs? I gather that XLD is recommended for MACs, at least until dbPoweramp completes its MAC version.
Thanks in advance.