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I just don't get PC Audio

I have been doing a lot of reading on the pros and cons of hard drive systems versus traditional CD players. From what I gather a hard drive system can be configured with a great DAC to meet or beat (well, maybe) a high end CD player.

So I contemplated this and what would need to be purchased each way and wound up buying an Esoteric X03SE and couldn't be happier. The point of my post is, am I the only one here who thinks hard drive systems have serious drawbacks that should prohibit an educated buyer not to jump in yet??

Hard drive pros:
-Can meet or maybe exceed the sonics of a dedicated cd player or transport combo (when using tracks burned from a CD)
-The ultimate lazy man's solution....simply surf and hit play (no CDs to load)

Hard drive cons:
-Just as expensive, if not more so than a dedicated CD player by the time you get the hard drive, back up storage, cables, monitor, DAC.
-Many units have hard drive noise that necessitates placing the unit away from the listening area.
-Need back up storage: This means you need to continually back up your collection for the day it crashes.
-Noone knows how long drives will last.
-Need to spend the time to burn all your CDs
-If you use iTunes the quality of downloaded songs is not great, therefore this solution only really works if you burn CDs you have. I know there are some other higher res options, but they are not widely available yet.
-You need some type of monitor to view the collection adding the complexity and nuisance of mixing PCs and Audio
-It is rapidly changing and noone knows what the outcome will be
-If you download one song at a time you essentially throw out any experience the artist may have designed with listening to an entire album

I am just not getting it, other than the two (some may say only one) pros I listed above, why else would an audiopile get a computer audio front end??? It is certainly not cheaper, in fact it is most likely way more.
arbuckle
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james1969
347 posts
 
Computers have their place in the digital world. And the cost of entry is reasonable.

MacMini
RME Fireface 400 192khz 8 channels AD/DA
PureVinyl software package
your favorite analog front end
your favorite headphones
your favorite system

Quite a bit of flexibility along with good playback systems of your choice.

Digital will evolve, analog is done. So the only media worth owning is records. For those audiophile moments. The rest is digital audio/video capture/playback/editing.
twb2
129 posts
 
As others have commented, the fact that you "don't get it" is just that. I have all three major sources (fine vinyl, a very good RB/SACD player, and a great USB DAC fed by a 500GB HD with 15,000 cuts in lossless format, and love each one for different reasons. The advantages of a computer server are fabulous- it allows you enjoy the depths and corners of your library in ways we never were able to do so before or would be likely otherwise. If you truly love music, have an extensive library and eclectic tastes, it is a whole new experience. Plus, it allows you to take a lot of music anywhere, including anywhere an iPod can go, but not limited to that device. I take my laptop, external HD and mini system (including high end earphones, amp and small speakers) traveling wherever I go. It truly has expanded my ability to enjoy music in ways I never imagined would be possible 47 years ago when I first considered myself an audiophile. In short, don't short yourself. It is indeed the way of the future. High rez downloads are now starting to be available, and will only increase. Nonetheless, vinyl is still the best, but I love my PC audio!
arbuckle OP
89 posts
 
Thanks again all. I am still at the only benefit is convenience (albeit there is a lot to be said for that). I disagree with the poster that says a Benchmark will give me great performance.....I have heard/owned that DAC...it is good for the money but in nowhere the league of the Esoteric X03....and yes, I have heard it driven by a PC....it plain stunk in comparison to the X03. So that is why I said costs would be high...you would have to invest in an expensive DAC to make it work....

I am thinking I would have my answer if the Esoteric had a digital input, then I could buy the Wadia itransport and run that into the digital ins of the X03 and be done (for now).
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Arbuckle,

"Convenience" understates the quality being described in these
posts. A good interface will likely change the way you listen to music - it
certainly did in my case. The process becomes more "stream of
conciousness" as you can instantly access any track on the drive. If
you're listening to Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo" from say a
"Greatest Hits"collection, you can quickly find other artist's
versions of the same song (or other performances of the song by Duke. You
can find similar songs by Duke or other artists via "keyword
searches". Anyone who owns a broad range of music will discover a
new process with a well designed server. I believe that most of these
listeners will embrace that process - though it certainly won't be 100% of that
population. Those listeners who prefer a single selection per session
(classicl music afficianados come to mind) may find this quality less
appealling, but for everyone else....

My main point is that the benefit is harder to describe than to enjoy. If you
can find a QSonix dealer who'll let you sit with a unit for an hour, you'll have a
much better idea of what I'm talking about. You may still "not get
it", but I suspect you'll be more receptive to the idea afterwards.

Marty

BTW, I use a QSonix and Benchmark DAC. The DAC has a very specific sonic
signature that is not everyone's cup of tea (evidently you can be included in
that group). Other DACs are available and I suspect that a server with the
DAC of your choice would provide more satisfying sonic performance.
4est
507 posts
 
Arbuckle, for the cost of an x03 ($7k), less a good server ($2k), that leaves you $4-5K for a DAC. Why would you expect a $1K Benchmark to best that? I've not heard the x03 unfortunately, but for that price they should have given you an input IMHO. The server is just a glorified transport, the meat is in the DAC, and that is where the advancements will be made in the future. Furthermore, after reading the other posts and their stated positive benefits, I have to wonder what the Wadia would do for you that you don't already have?
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