Windows XP or Windows 7?

Blindjim, good advice. I do have a preference when listening to my Stereo via an optical Universal Player. I still listen mostly to CD. Can't stand 2 Channel SACD or 2 Channel High Resolution DVD Audio. IMHO..both lack dynamics
when compared to CD, even though they might have better resolution. There is also some kind of serious electronic haze with some of these SACD/High Res. DVD Audio Disks. I was completely blown away by Multi-Channel SACD, Multi-Channel High Res. DVD Audio (what the hell!) especially when downmixed to 2 Channels. I hear 1/3 larger and deeper
Soundstage with a complete absence of digititus in the upper frequencies when compared to CD. It sounds about as close to Analog Record as I have ever heard off of an Optical Disk. These Disks are no longer being manufactured I suppose due to Downloading (sad!). These type of Recordings are certainly my personal preference. I am also familiar with the improvement in sound quality when listening to Music Files via PC hard drive as opposed to CD version via Optical Drive. Alright, my only option for my preference will be Downloading , and Ripping the few Multi-Channel Disks that I currently have. Tried to play catch-up with PC and Multi-Channel High Resolution Recordings. Ended up finding myself stuck between misinformation Rock and Gross Conceptual Error Hard Place. Been spending weeks trying to study up on the subject, but more than half of what I have read is....well....you've seen it! It seems that we are all being driven like cattle towards Downloading by the Market, but no technical leadership with Music Storage on PC. Sound Quality becomes arbituary, lost in the 100,000 other applications for PC. Audiophiles put stock in Sound Quality, arbituary concern by PC Manufacturers for Sound Quality is confusing. Atleast when our CD's sounded God Awful, you knew who to blame! I will keep trying despite the apathy of PC Manufacturers towards Sound Quality, and the Market collapse of other alternatives. It is not like we have much choice!

The bulk of one’s digital array has to be pointed towards red book CD 16/44.1K. it ‘SHOULD’ have a greater range, if possible up to 24/192, but 24/96 IS QUITE NICE.

Your comment on SACD vs CD seems a bit odd to me. Well done SACD vs the same well done CD? The CD normally is found lacking in every aspect in the context of my own system. Such as Alison Krauss’ Live hybrid SACD/CD. The SACD side is noticeably better in every way. Same thing with Pink Floyd’s ‘DSOM’ hybrid.

The quantity and diversity of downloadable soft media is pitiful now. It begs you alter your musical preffs and just ‘try’ something new or different or merely revised or rerecorded..

IF however you have the full range flexibility of 16/44 – 24/192 avialable to you going in, your choices become more widespread . Such as they are now. Again, the bulk of your music is flat out going to be Red book 16/44.1K . and for a long time to come.

SACD’s and DVDA are out there naturally, you’ll now or soon, have the opportunity to go rebuy your favs in Blue ray format very soon. Decrypting those, and placing them onto a hard drive is definitely involved but it can be done!

High res downloads currently do not offer much selection. Especially for the more pop & rock enthusiasts. As far as I’ve seen, perusing the high res file sites, the selection is pretty poor in fact. That’s why I tehnd to see HD music as more a treat than my focus.

These two version is old and you will not get the benefit for good resolution because technology has changed many things or feature. I had the same issue while I am  migrating and my window has become an error but I have found a good solution on error 0x8024200b for my window error

It seems that the entire PC-based Storage concept is based on confusion, misinformation, blocking and misleading. Is there a PC or Laptop manufacturer that has also designed a device that is optimized for music storage? Before I receive the thousands of answers, is there any one who uses a linear power supply instead of a switching mode power supply that creates EMI / RFI in output on your DAC? Any recipient? It's really simple, a SMPS costs 1 / 10th of Linear Production Supply. I am also looking for outlook data file cannot be accessed solution.

Computer audio - lets stop calling it this soon as most of us will actually have real music servers instead of trying to juggle PC, operating system, crappy usb interface, burning software, tidal incorporation and a bunch of other things which are foreign to an audiophile who has not been brought up in the computer era. Unfortunately, for an audiophile to successfully navigate computer audio, you need to learn a little about networking protocols, audio and usb (I hate USB!) drivers and a few other things. Yep - when PC audio started, you need to know some advanced computer stuff to get it all going. TODAY, there are one box music servers which will even allow you to simply burn a disk and add to your library, merely by sticking the CD in a slot. I have the aurender N10, which I love and is awesome BUT if you want to ad CDs to the library, we need to know enough to download a burner software and, well, this is now a 3rd party thing that you would probably have issues with as it is another step... So, unfortunately, server based music systems have advanced considerable and FORTUNATELY I do not use my noisy computer any more and it has gotten easier, but you still need to know a little something. Well forth the benefits. You get out of things what you put into them. AS for XP vs Windows 10 - XP is 16 years old. Why would anyone want to use it? I know - my former firm used XP because our agency management software would only work on the XP bloated hog... Oh, I left out - one needs to know a little about operating systems as well.