>>The guys that have been running USB servers for a while now are going back to CD players. To me, that is abandoning USB.
Cerrot, who are "the guys"? And are you certain that ALL of "the guys" abandoning USB servers for CD players, or is your allegorical statement in reference to something you heard regarding a friend of your cousin's dog groomer?
Topmostaudio, it is a safe bet that PC audio is here to stay, at least until something newer or better comes along. Industry and media surveys show that CD player use is diminishing across the board, but less so with the over 55 crowd. Most folks under 30 probably don't even have a CD player anymore, except for a laptop and even that hardware is diminishing rapidly.
PC audio (I include mac in that description as well) can sound very good, as good or better than almost any standalone CD player or transport. I used a Meridian 508.24 for years, and still have it. My mac audio setup sounds better, is more convenient (once setup) and is much more versatile.
What's the downside to PC audio? First, in short, it's a semi-compatible collection of third party parts and software. It's not as elegant or simple as a CD player, hence all the attempts to make a good, easy-to-use media player. I remember an A'gon member writing, years ago "I won't use computer audio until it is a simple as my [whatever] CD player. All I need is play, pause, FF and FB"
Secondly, PC audio can be expensive, especially if you listen to many of the so-called "experts" who insist that you need a USB/SPDIF bridge, or an external USB reclocker, or an uber-expensive Elbonian DAC w/ seventeen balanced inputs or other such audio frippery. You don't. Start small and simple, get used to managing your music files, and make upgrades as the sound dictates and your budget allows.
IMO, USB works well between PC/mac and DAC, but I have heard many great systems that used SPDIF or TOSLINK. If you have a PC or mac, order a Meridian Explorer DAC from audioadvisor.com. If you have a mac, download a copy of Bitperfect and play your files through iTunes. This is not an expensive suggestion, and many guys here may urge you to spend more. But try this first. If you don't like it, return the Meridian DAC to Audioadvisor and all you are out is shipping and $10 for Bitperfect. But I will bet that you will find it easy to setup, use and that it sounds pretty damned good.
Cerrot, who are "the guys"? And are you certain that ALL of "the guys" abandoning USB servers for CD players, or is your allegorical statement in reference to something you heard regarding a friend of your cousin's dog groomer?
Topmostaudio, it is a safe bet that PC audio is here to stay, at least until something newer or better comes along. Industry and media surveys show that CD player use is diminishing across the board, but less so with the over 55 crowd. Most folks under 30 probably don't even have a CD player anymore, except for a laptop and even that hardware is diminishing rapidly.
PC audio (I include mac in that description as well) can sound very good, as good or better than almost any standalone CD player or transport. I used a Meridian 508.24 for years, and still have it. My mac audio setup sounds better, is more convenient (once setup) and is much more versatile.
What's the downside to PC audio? First, in short, it's a semi-compatible collection of third party parts and software. It's not as elegant or simple as a CD player, hence all the attempts to make a good, easy-to-use media player. I remember an A'gon member writing, years ago "I won't use computer audio until it is a simple as my [whatever] CD player. All I need is play, pause, FF and FB"
Secondly, PC audio can be expensive, especially if you listen to many of the so-called "experts" who insist that you need a USB/SPDIF bridge, or an external USB reclocker, or an uber-expensive Elbonian DAC w/ seventeen balanced inputs or other such audio frippery. You don't. Start small and simple, get used to managing your music files, and make upgrades as the sound dictates and your budget allows.
IMO, USB works well between PC/mac and DAC, but I have heard many great systems that used SPDIF or TOSLINK. If you have a PC or mac, order a Meridian Explorer DAC from audioadvisor.com. If you have a mac, download a copy of Bitperfect and play your files through iTunes. This is not an expensive suggestion, and many guys here may urge you to spend more. But try this first. If you don't like it, return the Meridian DAC to Audioadvisor and all you are out is shipping and $10 for Bitperfect. But I will bet that you will find it easy to setup, use and that it sounds pretty damned good.