Is computer audio a bust?

The fact that the original topic merits 6 pages of discussions verifies that this is an important issue in modern HiFi, and still very unsettled. The fact that it has morphed into a discussion about critically important implementation of somewhat arcane data standards, transfer and management techniques indicates that getting data off a computer HD has attained a level of complication for our community on a par with tracking force and tonearm-cartridge compliance. Welcome to the new Black Hole Source.

I use and enjoy computer audio at work, and even my modest desktop 2.1 system sounds distractingly good. But when I get home after pounding on my keyboard all day, I am happy to drop a disk in the drawer, or if I have enough energy, cue up an LP, and then sit back... and send you all a message on my phone.

I agree that when a system as easy to use and as well implemented as the Meridian becomes affordable, and original DSD or similar quality source material becomes adequately diverse and widely available, through streaming let's say. then I might be eager to fully migrate both my home rigs as well.

Also, how about more readily available ripping services where I drop off a box of CDs on the corner in the morning like my laundry, somebody rips them to my jump drive for me, and I can pick them up in the evening on the way home?

Computer audio implemented from a laptop just doesn't feel like fun to me right now. Even the gorgeous Meridian touch screen seems more like an appliance than audio exotica. A well implemented and expensive appliance maybe, but also very similar to my desktop computer screen. Just saying...

Interesting thread though, I must say.

kn

I asked this question in another thread and didn't get an answer, so am trying here, since the conversation has touched on cable use.

"... Let me make sure I am tracking with you. You are saying that jitter is important. That jitter can also result from cable induced errors. That re-clocking at the DAC does not necessarily correct for all/any errors related to jitter that could occur during delivery of the raw digital signal through a cable. Does it follow that some digital cables are better at delivering digital signals free of or with less added jitter?

On a related note, in theory or in measurement, can a digital signal be corrupted in a cable, say due to exposure to strong EMF, to the point where 1s and 0s are actually deleted or unreadable at the DAC. I.E. outright data loss?"

Your thoughts appreciated, even if you think this is a non-issue.

kn

Thanks, helpful description.

kn

This is depressing. I ripped about 60 of my CDs and more importantly have purchased and downloaded 30 odd high res albums all in FLAC format based on advice from HDTracks. I will experiment with my current computer set up between files ripped in FLAC and WAV, but I want to future and upgrade proof my source material to equipment upgrades. Garbage in... Aargh!