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Are Disc Players Dead?

How important is a disc player anymore? I think that stand alone DAC's have far eclipsed the stand alone disc player in importance over the last 3 years with the rise of server based music.

Only an SACD really needs a disc player anymore. In what instance can you get better sound from a disc player than when you download the music, CD or HiRez, then play it back through a new stand alone DAC with the latest technology?

I really only use my very humble disc player to watch movies that I own now. I download most movies to rent through AppleTV, and if I buy a CD (rare) I download it to the server, where it takes up residence in iTunes for playback in AIFF format.

So, disc players on their deathbed, as DAC move to the top of the digital mountain?

I say yes.
macdadtexas
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Nglazer, I hear you. I'm also getting mad with all the stupid system errors but that's why I bought Mac. From this point on everything went without any problems. Computer works like swiss watch and now I understand how bad the Windows is. Since many people prefer dedicated server and MacMini is not that expensive it is better and safer way to go.

I agree with you that hard disk based music server, instead of computer would be easier and better for many people but it is too expensive and not flexible. Separate DAC allows me to upgrade it in the future. The same goes for external hard drive.

I'm far from recommending this route to everybody. I would always advice against it to elderly, computer illiterate people, including my mother. To her CDP is way too complicated.
nglazer
846 posts
 
Macdactexas,

I have had an iPod and have been using iTunes since the day Apple came out with a Windows - capable iPod. I use a Classic with a Wadia i170 into my W4S DAC2. I am highly computer literate and easily could go the route you suggest. But my experience with Toslink has been poor and I have not read much that was good about AppleTV or equivalent for truly high end sound. I have not heard of for a computer audio route to compare to my RAM modded CEC TL-1X transport, via a Stealth Sextet digicable, to W4S DAC2: 2 components and a cable, top of the line sound, works every time. No kernel streaming, ASIO, WASAPI, crashes, dropouts, ripping, burning, downloading, backup, viruses, incomprehensible or nonexistent instructions, firmware, infirmware, et al. When computer audio routinely gets rid of those impediments, sign me up.

I may yet try a Mac Mini just to prove myself wrong, which I would love to do and I will be the first to admit it, but I doubt that will happen.

Neal
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 

Are Disc Players Dead?

No, they just smell funny...
macdadtexas OP
1,794 posts
 
Slipknot1, that was just a classic response, and oh so correct.
programmergeek
322 posts
 
I agree with Macdactexas 100%. I did the server thing about a year ago and got a bryston dace kimber cable USB and ripped lossless. The sound was not near what my cd player, now I have a s7i and I think on my system a server would be hard pressed to play better than that. I am a computer guy by trade so I really wished the pc worked out I am tired of scratched disks and switching etc. But the detail was just not there.
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