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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
srwooten's avatar
srwooten
694 posts
 
"I'm not sure you can have that kind of fun and discovery with iTunes."

Why not? I think it is actually easier. I have different issues of the same CD on my computer and can compare them without getting up, instantly, from the same source and DAC. This does not work with SACD, but does work with hi-rez downloads.
bar81
791 posts
 
Any recommendation of the SA-50 and its usb input should be tempered by the review here:

http://www.avguide.com/buyers-guide/the-absolute-soundhi-fi-guide-disc-players-dacs-music-servers
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drubin
3,265 posts
 
To the OP's question about starting inexpensive or going all out, I recommend the former. IME, part of "going" computer audio is finding not only the best sound for you but figuring out the right system topology and user experience for you. You need to live with it for a while to know if it's right for you --and there's no substitute for personal experience. So I recommend jumping in low cost before committing to anything truly expensive.
daniel_a OP
4 posts
 
I auditioned the SA-50 in Dec last year, when I bought my system, and found that a song playing through the USB input didn't sound as good as through the transport. I later read Robert Harley's Esoteric SA-50 review, which I thought did an excellent job of explaining why.

I also found that the SA-50 fell short of the X-05 (and the X-03) in playing CD's. I ended up buying my dealer's demo X-03 instead.

-- Daniel
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,602 posts
 
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I can't give it up just yet, but I rarely listen to my cd player. I primarily listen to my Squeezebox for music. I'm waiting for the next generation Logitech Transporter, then I know that I'll say goodbye to my cd player forever. I have two turntables that are both in excellent shape. I may have played two hours of vinyl total over the last three years. The convenience and good sound of digital is here to stay and it is constantly improving. The avalanche/tidal wave towards digital has begun and it will get stronger as the years go by. The cd player is destined to go the way of the turntable, only a few high-end die-hards will own them. The handwriting is on the wall. All of the high-end mfgs that sell cd players are offering DAC's in their product line. Those that aren't soon will, or they'll suffer for it. DAC's will eventually canibalize the cd players, there will be no need to have both.
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