Computer vs CD/SACD discs

I'm a long time computer geek (30+ years) and I see both sides of the coin. I use a laptop with several TB of connected USB drives for storage and playback using Mezzmo software. This is a pretty good setup and fairly easy to use.

However, I also have over 2,000 CDs/DVDs and there is no denying the convenience factor. Even though my PC setup is pretty simple, it does not offer the ease of use that a dedicated disc spinner does.

So, I guess I'm with GrannyRing on this one. If you're computer savvy, a PC-based setup may be fun for you. If not, stick with the shiny discs...

-RW-

I would welcome opinions thoughts on computer audio vs the old fashioned, putting a disc on the tray and pushing play.

The last 2 threads not enough?

So far the best reason I've heard computer audio is a bust is USB cable not expensive or thick enough compare to his Tara Labs. I'm using DLNA with NO usb cable so what am I doing wrong? Not making this up folks ... LOL!!!

08-02-14: Cerrot
I think the biggest part is the computer savy part. If you are very computer literate, its a snap. If you have to call someone to download a program or install a printer, stick with a CD player.

Result is a function to one's knowledge on the subject. Isn't this TRUE with everything?

I spent endless hours reading, ripping, backing up, upgrading, learning
more and the end of the matter is this for me. I sold it all and went back to
spinning CDs.

I simply found it too stressful for ME to deal with all the ripping, file types,
file management, RAID backup, downloads, and on and on etc...

After initially ripping my cds that took MONTHS, the only time I tinker is ripping a new cd. This is stressful?

I can find all kinds of CDs for cheap and never have to deal with computer
issues and exhausting ripping and the like.

It's takes minutes to rip a cd. It's the exact process as placing a cd in your player except you rip instead of play. Isn't changing cd on a player more exhasting than scrolling through your iPhone? If this is exhausting, I think you need to exercise and probably best you using a cd player. No remotes for you!

I will say computer based audio is not easy and anyone who says
otherwise is not telling the truth.

it's EASY and I'm telling you the truth! PERIOD!!! As I quote my commander and chief.

Austinbob, Most of CD players can read CD sector only once (since they work in real time). It can error correct for short scratches (up to about 4mm along the track) but for longer scratch (4-8mm) it interpolates. Computer rip reads CD like data and can go to the same sector multiple times (even thousands of times) until it gets proper checksum. Computer file can be better than original CD but I doubt that you can hear any difference unless original CD is badly scratched. On the other hand it can be very useful to create good CD-R copy of CDs that won't play or play with a lot of pops.

I brought this up in another thread and benchmarks in accessing data from different storage mediums ... point is mute if you don't understand computers, software ...

08-02-14: Rockyboy
Bought a Bryston BDP-1/BDA-1 and couldn't be happier.

With a BDP-1/2 or Sony HAP-Z1Es compare to a cd player, the only difference is one reads from a SUPERIOR storage medium than a cd in real time. No, it has to read a from cd for best sound. Ridiculous!

08-01-14: Austinbob
I also think CDs ripped to lossless files on FLAC can sound better than the original CD, my theory being the error correction while ripping produces a more stable file (but don't have a shred of engineering background to prove this).

Kijanki's response is of course correct, as usual. A second set of reasons why playback of a ripped computer file may sound better than playback of the corresponding CD in a CD player, however, relates to jitter and to coupling of electrical noise from the CD player's transport mechanism into its other circuitry. The magnitude and character of those kinds of effects will of course be dependent on the design of the particular player.

See my post here for further explanation, although that thread addresses sonic differences between playback of an original CD and playback of a CD-R copy of it in the same CD player. Obviously, a comparison between playback of a computer file and playback of a CD introduces many additional variables into the mix.

My understanding is that a CD that is in good physical condition will have very few if any read errors that are not perfectly corrected during realtime playback. So I would expect that typically those noise and jitter issues will be of greater significance.

Regards,
-- Al

@Grannyring

Your response is SPOT ON!

I truly enjoy my Sony 5400 for CD and SACD.

Simple to use, and unbeatable quality IMO!

Cd's are very cheap, and much, much, more recordings to choose from, than High Rez downoads

Computer audio is too much hassle.

IMHO, +1 on Grannyring's post!, very well done, spot on!