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Who has found happiness giving up cd player?

My system consists of Amati Anniversario speakers, Boulder 865 integrated amp, and Esoteric X-03 player. I like it. But I want to move to computer based sources. And if I do that, I'd like to go completely computer based, trade in my X-03 while my dealer will still give me full credit for it.

I've explored a lot of options. I know about the options with Mac or PC, through XLR or asynchronous USB or firewire, but I still don't know what to do. Go with something relatively cheap like the Ayre QB-9, and wait for the SOTA to advance? Invest in a dCS dac, upsampler, and clock, and expect to keep that for a long, long time? I like the idea of investing for the long term, but I don't want to end up enjoying my ripped CD's less than through my X-03.

It doesn't help that auditioning opportunities are somewhat limited, especially with my speakers and amp. Or that my dealer is adamant that I won't be happy replacing my X-03 with any computer based source, for redbook.

So my question is, has anyone found happiness replacing a mid range player like mine (or better) with an entirely computer based source? Anyone miss their transports?

Thanks!
Daniel
daniel_a

Showing 1 response by rayooo

rayooo
70 posts
 
I'd slowly begun a project to move 1000's of CDs to NAS/FLAC.

It became obvious fairly quickly that I was simply transferring crappy sounding recordings from one storage medium to another simply for the convenience of random access.

I've since modified the above plan and am now only moving the few fantastic sounding CDs to NAS/FLAC, and, more importantly I'm beginning to build a 24/96 library on the same NAS.

The dozen or so 24/96 recordings I own sound absolutely spectacular. ..Optical from laptop or PC to DACMagic.

This DACMagic/FLAC/PC thing started out as more of an experiment than anything else. Now I'm in the process of looking for a better DAC, although this little DACMagic is darned good.

I could very happily live with all digital media on NAS. 'having said that, I can't imagine ever having all CDs transferred to NAS, so, I'll need a CD/SACD player probably forever.

I just wish there were more sources for good 24/96 recordings. I'm happily paying more for these.


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