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 |
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: Grannyring
Now I simply load a CD and relax. Until there is a simple one box solution
and it is as easy as loading a CD, I am not going back to computer based audio."
Grannyring,I could not agree more!!! A single one-box solution seems like a totally doable request from any reputable high-end audio manufacturer in this day and age. After all... this is 2014!!! |
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- |
Bought a Bryston BDP-1/BDA-1 and couldn't be happier. I've owned DACs and transports, players and then went to streaming using a highly modded Airport Express. Now my CDs are saved using dbpoweramp in FLAC on two 128GB flash drives. I use an iPad mini as my remote and SQ has never been better. Just boxed up my CDs and dismantled the shelving. My player is up for sale 'cause I'm never going back! Cannot think of one advantage to using a player now days. (Have to admit though, I've never had an opportunity to hear a megabuck player and probably never will) |
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. |
About a year ago I went from spinning cd's to a dedicated music server (Naim Uni-serve). It doesn't get any easier. Drop in a cd and it rips it to the hard drive. The only draw back with the Naim is I can't walk up to it and do anything like start - stop - skip etc. It has to be controlled through a computer or Idevice. But it does stream radio or from a NAS. I can also queue as many cd's or individual tracks as I want. |
IMHO, +1 on Grannyring's post!, very well done, spot on! |
See my previous post on this subject, I made the switch to computer audio just over a year ago and could not be happier with the results. Sound quality is every bit as good as anything I have heard at various HiFi show demonstrations over the years. Irrespective of what some people will tell you, commuter audio can be very simple and you do not need to invest in expensive high end components or cables to get superb sound. My current system is a MacBook Air, running Audirvarna Plus, USB cable (nothing fancy) into an Oppo 105 for D/A conversion then a Krell HTS 7.1 (just for volume control) and a Krell TAS driving a pair of B&W N801 speakers. I use standard Blue Jeans XLR cables to connect the Oppo 105 to the HTS 7.1 and the HTS 7.1 to the Krell TAS. Speaker cables are standard Monster speaker cables, nothing fancy.
Sound quality from ripped CDs and HD 24/96 FLAC downloads from HD Tracks is as good as anything I have heard from a conventional CDP system. I am a computer audio convert/believer! |
@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. |
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). 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 climbed the mountain from a computer newbee to being well versed in all
things computer audio. I climbed the sound quality ladder for computer
audio and have tasted the best of what computer audio has to offer in
sound quality.
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...
Now I simply load a CD and relax. Until there is a simple one box solution
and it is as easy as loading a CD, I am not going back to computer based
audio.
I can find all kinds of CDs for cheap and never have to deal with computer
issues and exhausting ripping and the like.
I work on a computer all day and it is a joy to handle a CD at home. Pure
joy!
This was true for me and not all. Ask yourself if you will find all the
computer stuff a hassle or an exciting new opportunity to learn? Really
think on this as you know yourself. Nobody else can answer this for
you.....only you my audio friend.
I will say computer based audio is not easy and anyone who says
otherwise is not telling the truth. For mere computer mortals with average
to poor computer knowledge it is a challenge that demands intentional and
continuous mastery.
The sound quality is very good indeed with computer audio. No doubt.
However, my new CD spinner sounds every bit as good as my $10,000
computer audio front end.
I do miss MOG which is now gone anyway. I do have Spotify on a second
system and if all one does is listen to a music service like these, then that is
easy and quite nice really. Beyond that, what a pain for me! |
For me, the main factor is convenience. I still have to death match my CD player (Simaudio Moon Nova) vs server>Slimdevices Transporter> Audio-gd Master 7, but I really doubt that I will bring the CD's up out of the basement and give up user friendliness of the Slimdevices sotware if the Nova wins.
I think the main consideration is how much fiddling you want to do. I'm fairly computer literate, so I have very few problems that I can't solve on a timely basis. If you hate dealing with computers, keep the CD. |
I think archiving your CDs and downloading higher-res music on your computer is the way to go. The next question is which computer--Apple or PC--and how you're going to play it back.
My choice has been to use a PC, rip and download in FLAC format, and then transfer the music to a 500 GB USD drive and play back through the Bryston BDP-1 outputting to a NAD M51 DAC. I also have the option of playing discs--CDs, SACD, and DVDA--through my Oppo outputting to the NAD M51 with HDMI.
Is there better sound? I'm sure there is but I really like this solution. I control the Bryston with MPOD software on my IPhone and IPad and it's a cinch to use. I compared this with outputting to the NAD M51 via USB on my computer and I think the Bryston sounds better. 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).
My two cents. |
I've not gone to computer based audio. I have two Sony 300 disc changers linked, and a Sony 595 five disc player for SACD's. Works well for me, does away with all the downloading. Computers? I have a few, mostly built myself, and did not find the time consuming transfer process very productive use of my time. |
