I would welcome opinions thoughts on computer audio vs the old fashioned, putting a disc on the tray and pushing play. The last 2 threads not enough? So far the best reason I've heard computer audio is a bust is USB cable not expensive or thick enough compare to his Tara Labs. I'm using DLNA with NO usb cable so what am I doing wrong? Not making this up folks ... LOL!!! 08-02-14: Cerrot
I think the biggest part is the computer savy part. If you are very computer literate, its a snap. If you have to call someone to download a program or install a printer, stick with a CD player. Result is a function to one's knowledge on the subject. Isn't this TRUE with everything? I spent endless hours reading, ripping, backing up, upgrading, learning
more and the end of the matter is this for me. I sold it all and went back to
spinning CDs.
I simply found it too stressful for ME to deal with all the ripping, file types,
file management, RAID backup, downloads, and on and on etc... After initially ripping my cds that took MONTHS, the only time I tinker is ripping a new cd. This is stressful? I can find all kinds of CDs for cheap and never have to deal with computer
issues and exhausting ripping and the like. It's takes minutes to rip a cd. It's the exact process as placing a cd in your player except you rip instead of play. Isn't changing cd on a player more exhasting than scrolling through your iPhone? If this is exhausting, I think you need to exercise and probably best you using a cd player. No remotes for you! I will say computer based audio is not easy and anyone who says
otherwise is not telling the truth. it's EASY and I'm telling you the truth! PERIOD!!! As I quote my commander and chief. Austinbob, Most of CD players can read CD sector only once (since they work in real time). It can error correct for short scratches (up to about 4mm along the track) but for longer scratch (4-8mm) it interpolates. Computer rip reads CD like data and can go to the same sector multiple times (even thousands of times) until it gets proper checksum. Computer file can be better than original CD but I doubt that you can hear any difference unless original CD is badly scratched. On the other hand it can be very useful to create good CD-R copy of CDs that won't play or play with a lot of pops. I brought this up in another thread and benchmarks in accessing data from different storage mediums ... point is mute if you don't understand computers, software ... 08-02-14: Rockyboy
Bought a Bryston BDP-1/BDA-1 and couldn't be happier. With a BDP-1/2 or Sony HAP-Z1Es compare to a cd player, the only difference is one reads from a SUPERIOR storage medium than a cd in real time. No, it has to read a from cd for best sound. Ridiculous! |
08-02-14: Audiolabyrinth
Joecasey, Hi, I would like to bring to your attention that all the proof about any damn usb cable is inferior, however, the DLNA you are doing is better than usb cable!, Congrats!, To make this understood, there is NO true computer audio if you are going through a Dac,, what is a cd-player?, What is a Dac and a transport, mmm, Not tring to be funny here, A dac and a trans port is essentially a cd-player split in Half!, so, If any one uses a Dac in their computer set-up, they are truly running half computer audio!, I have run experiments many times of real computer audio useing the computers volume control to a reciever, intergrated amp, straight to an amp, ha, ha, Lousy to say the least!, now let's get to the profound part of the facts, first off, their will never be a $15,000.00 usb cable, The technology of usb does not allow for such technology!, I cannot come to terms as to why people believe cables do not make a difference, I can litterally put a $300.00 Yamaha cd-player up against any top flight computer audio source with a top usb cable, or DNLA to transport the audio, not fricken Data!, and use a profound interconnect like a Tara labs Zero Gold 1-meter interconnect and shockingly out-perform the computer audio, How do I know this, LOL!, I have done it and own the Damn cables to prove it!, sorry if I got frustrated here, It just is none since about tring to achieve world class audio with a half computer audio or true computer audio. Keep it coming. Can't make this stuff up, folks. LOL! |
08-02-14: Audioengr
If you are not computer literate or don't want to take the time and effort to optimize a computer, just get one of the superb servers from Antipodes audio in New Zealand. Best sounding server you can buy IME. Then add your favorite USB DAC or a USB converter and ANY DAC. Very interesting product. Steve, have you compare it to a Bryston BDP-2? Do you know if it buffers data in RAM before play? |
08-04-14: Nglazer
I am 63 and about 2 years ago transitioned from a transport-DAC combo to a Bryston BDP-1 digital player to a DAC (previously the PS Audio PWD MkII, now upgraded to Direct Stream - wow! but that's another post). The Bryston is controlled by laptop or iPad or iPhone. SQ audibly better than transport (CEC TL-1x, no slouch there); convenience factor far greater; and there are services who will load your CD collection on to HD's.
Never too old Bdp24!
Neal It's understandable as one ages, they are more set in their ways. I think the biggest factor is attitude. Easier to whine, make excuses and I'm surprise no one has compared computer audio to fighting in Iraq. Gotta go rip some CDs and get my daily exercise now. I can only do 1 CD per day before reaching anaerobic state. Goal is 2 in 6 months once I increase my anaerobic threshold. |
08-02-14: Dbphd
When I was thinking of a used Ayre C-5xeMP, I posed the question of this thread to John Atkinson, who lists the Ayre as one of his sources. His reply was that for convenience he uses computer audio; for high quality audio he uses the Ayre.
I bought a used Ayre C-5xeMP. I have an unused Mac Mini connected to the asynchronous USB port of an Oppo BDP-105. The HD Tracks software wouldn't download when I purchased a Bach piece that seemed interesting. A fiend who is a computer audio enthusiast couldn't get it to download either and I haven't followed up. Wow! John Atkinson. Mr. BIG. Now I'm convince. Computer audio is a BUST! Is Stereophile still in business? I want to subscribe again and make my purchase decisions SOLELY on their recommended list. |
Dbphd's point to me was quite clear. My interpretation is his purchasing decision was solely base on JA's opinion with special emphasizes on JA as someone special. Bottom line is it's his $$ but I just find it humorous. I communicate with many professional reviewers but never base a purchasing decision on any ONE. Personally if I had the sizable collection of CDs and SACDs that Dbphd has I would still be playing the shiny discs as I would not find the amount of time it would take to rip them to a HD worth it. Grannyring volunteers. He needs the exercise. |
Actually he asked my opinion as well and I am sure a few more people. Well, it that case, I totally understand. How dare I? I never saw your name in his post so I would DEMAND credit from him for the purchasing decision. Well maybe you're the special ONE. I knew we will finally agree! Again, I thought his point was clear. Again, I had a different interpretation. Who think he's the special one now? 08-08-14: Grannyring
Ha, you know how much I like to rip cd's! I would rather relax in a dentist
chair and have another crown put in :) what are you doing on a COMPUTER? Does you computer run off a CD real time? Get off the computer, go outside and get some exercise. |
08-09-14: Tbg
Audiolabyrinth, I have no idea why you have, "to keep viruses and malware, hard drive clear of errors off the computer" troubles. I have none. Hmmm! Should I take a stab at it? I have some suspicions. Hmmm! |
08-09-14: Audiolabyrinth
all computers are problematic, It's the nature of computers, Boiling water is problematic if you have NO clue. I will also say I have none, that's because I maintance my computer daily to keep it running tip top, with all this, why would I spend more time with a computer and arrive with more problems from more useage?, I do not desire that at all. I run Windows and Linux and they just work. The only time I tinker is rip a new CD. What daily maintenance is REQUIRED and you doing? Computer is a just tool I use to improve quality life. I'm not a nerd and only tinker when required. When I play music, I just launch an app on the iPhone. Like Tbg said, I guess I too would have reservations if have all these computer problems and no clue what I'm doing. |
08-10-14: Audioengr
"Steve, have you compare it to a Bryston BDP-2? Do you know if it buffers data in RAM before play?"
Of course. It is Linux based too, very skinny OS. It beats the Bryston. Bryston is pretty good though. I found a review ... going to checkout a DX. /*** Music isnÂt streamed direct from the hard disk. That would result in increased noise and a wandering bit rate at the first step. Instead the Antipodes box uses scripts and MPD tweaks to ensure that music files are guided through the server in a way that keeps timing tight and minimises noise interference. The main scripts are managed and maintained by Andrew Gillis at Vortexbox with whom Jenkins has reaped the benefits of collaborative work scale. Further scripts are added by Jenkins to the final product. You could say that the Antipodes music server babies the signal at every step. The data is read from hard disk to RAM, buffering approximately 1GB. It is then clocked out of RAM to the output card where it is buffered and high-precision reclocked again before being sent to the DAC, which in turn buffers and reclocks it yet again in theÂusually asynchronousÂUSB input. Even as UPnP server pushing digital audio out over its Ethernet connection, Jenkins claims less noise and better sound than a standard Vortexbox appliance. ***/ |
