2. digital
  3. 1405364620

Is computer audio a bust?

In recent months, I have had several audio acquaintances return to CDPs claiming improved SQ versus their highly optimized computer transports (SS drives, external power supplies, etc, etc).

I wanted to poll people on their experiences with computer "transports." What variables have had the most impact on sonics? If you bailed on computers, why?

I personally have always believed that the transport, whether its a plastic disc spinner or computer, is as or more important than the dac itself and thus considerable thought and energy is required.

agear

Showing 9 responses by guidocorona

guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Being an audio dinosaur, I am happily feeding redbooks from the SPDIF coax of my Esoteric X-01 into a Rowland Aeris DAC/pre, which upsamples the signal to 192K.

Eventually, if the techno-dust settles, I might become persuaded to migrate to a dedicated music server, such as the Bryston BDP-2, or hypothetical follow-on device that supports data rates higher than 192K... and a large internal solid-state storage option.

"eventually" means that I am not experiencing any kind of obsessive compulsion to do so in the short term.

G.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Thank you JoeCasey, interesting about BDP-2 buffering capability. Are you talking about Ethernet from server to DAC? BDP-2 does not have RJ45 out, and Aeris does not have RJ-45 in.

G.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Uhrn... Children... please do chill out and start making nice PDQ, lest the Agon proctors get wind of the emerging electrobrawl and shut down this lovely thread *grins!*

G.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Lighten up AGear... audiophilia is seldom that serious. G.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Thank you guys... I do in fact chuckle at my own audiophrenic scribblings every day of the week... Pepto-bismol anyone? ... Heard it does wonders when one feels a little corrosively inclined *grins!*
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
For everyone's reference, Lumin is at:

http://www.luminmusic.com/index.html

I did not find US prices on the site, but according to Mike Bovaird's review on Audioshark.org, the Lumin digital streaming player price in the USA is $7200.

G.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Cerrot, you obviously hold a strong opinion about the evils of bitwise imperfections versus those of jitter in this context... Please explain in detail. G.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Ah yes, I was forgetting AtmaRalph's arcana... I much prefer EmpiSteve's limpid discussions of matters digital.

G.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Thank you Kevinkwann, unfortunately your comment was not constructive. I suggest avoidance of ad hominem.

Hi Cerrot, I can see that potential of both bitwise defects as well as jitter introducing a variety of distortions.... It probably depends on the magnitude and distribution patterns of each. Is there evidence that bitwise imperfections are actually causing audible distortions in current builds of Empirical products? ... As I have not experienced Empirical in my own system, I have not formed n opinion on the subject.

Saluti, Guido
More to discover