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I just don't get PC Audio

I have been doing a lot of reading on the pros and cons of hard drive systems versus traditional CD players. From what I gather a hard drive system can be configured with a great DAC to meet or beat (well, maybe) a high end CD player.

So I contemplated this and what would need to be purchased each way and wound up buying an Esoteric X03SE and couldn't be happier. The point of my post is, am I the only one here who thinks hard drive systems have serious drawbacks that should prohibit an educated buyer not to jump in yet??

Hard drive pros:
-Can meet or maybe exceed the sonics of a dedicated cd player or transport combo (when using tracks burned from a CD)
-The ultimate lazy man's solution....simply surf and hit play (no CDs to load)

Hard drive cons:
-Just as expensive, if not more so than a dedicated CD player by the time you get the hard drive, back up storage, cables, monitor, DAC.
-Many units have hard drive noise that necessitates placing the unit away from the listening area.
-Need back up storage: This means you need to continually back up your collection for the day it crashes.
-Noone knows how long drives will last.
-Need to spend the time to burn all your CDs
-If you use iTunes the quality of downloaded songs is not great, therefore this solution only really works if you burn CDs you have. I know there are some other higher res options, but they are not widely available yet.
-You need some type of monitor to view the collection adding the complexity and nuisance of mixing PCs and Audio
-It is rapidly changing and noone knows what the outcome will be
-If you download one song at a time you essentially throw out any experience the artist may have designed with listening to an entire album

I am just not getting it, other than the two (some may say only one) pros I listed above, why else would an audiopile get a computer audio front end??? It is certainly not cheaper, in fact it is most likely way more.
arbuckle

Showing 4 responses by arbuckle

arbuckle OP
89 posts
 
Hi S7Horton

Thank you for partaking in my post. I totally agree about the portability factor. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of just sitting in my living room type of listenting. I am definitely open to PC audio, I almost went for it. I just could not justify it at this time based on my comments above. I originally thought PC audio was a way to save money by not needing a transport (either dedicated or in a player), but I quickly found those posters who were able to have true high end sound from PC had to spend upwards of $4-5k on a DAC in addition to all the other stuff.
arbuckle OP
89 posts
 
Thank you all for your responses. I actually am somewhat savvy with computers....set up my own home network which is both wired and wireless...am fluent in ipod technology....so please don't view me as petrified of computers. I honestly just weighed out the two options and figured it would be far more complex and cost about the same to get the same sound from a PC.

I honestly think the turning point will be when high res downloads are ubiquitous....otherwise I am stuck buying CDs anyway so I can rip them. Please keep the thread going though....there are very intriguing comments here. Thanks
arbuckle OP
89 posts
 
Thanks again all. I am still at the only benefit is convenience (albeit there is a lot to be said for that). I disagree with the poster that says a Benchmark will give me great performance.....I have heard/owned that DAC...it is good for the money but in nowhere the league of the Esoteric X03....and yes, I have heard it driven by a PC....it plain stunk in comparison to the X03. So that is why I said costs would be high...you would have to invest in an expensive DAC to make it work....

I am thinking I would have my answer if the Esoteric had a digital input, then I could buy the Wadia itransport and run that into the digital ins of the X03 and be done (for now).
arbuckle OP
89 posts
 
Thank you all for posting, there is a significant amount of valuable advise and information in this thread. It truly does seem like PC audio will be the future, but for now I will wait for all the details to get ironed out and especially high rez. I really wish Esoteric just put a digital in on their players....all the major competitors have them.
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