Is this the END of DAYS for the high end CD player

After reading these posts, I still think I made the right decision. I just had my Esoteric UX-1pi modified by APL to include many 32-bit 2nd generation DACs and lots of other bills and whistles, including digital in and out. It is now an "M" (for APLers reading this). Although at some point I will probably reduce my CD's to a server of some sort so I can be better organized and find my music more easily, I have no plans on discontinuing to use my Esoteric transport. There IS a difference between transport and computer sourcing, and as long as I can still hear that difference, my money (and my CD's) are on the Esoteric.

Hi Fplanner2010,

what differences do you hear in your transport versus your server?

I have yet to hear a laser reading data from a cd sounding better than data from cache. In every case I found the laser in real time sounding a bit masked or vague in comparison. Not dissimilar to the addition of a really good clock.

I know Esoteric make great transports, but it is so out of date now as a way to transfer data. Surely what you are hearing is an issue with the computer set up or interface to your DAC?

The problem is not cache vs laser... Is the quality of the reading system between a high end cd player and a run of the mill DVD player on a computer.

I agree, there is a difference between a high end cd player and computer. Assuming the cd player has a digital in, making a comparison is easy. Not all high end players are worth the money. Having said that, the DAC on esoteric, burmester, dCS, wadia and etc are of high enough quality that when linked to a computer, one would still prefer playing the actual cd.

The difference? Accuracy, texture, spatial presentation, imagine, atmosphere, dynamics..... However, it depends on the player u are using. Burmester 069 is by far the best I have heard. Just go test it out.

I can not vouch for every hi end cd player or transport, only those from burmester, esoteric, dCS, and wadia.... A lot of other high end cd player are not up to the same standard. The difference will also depends on the listener. For example, to untrained ears like my parents , they can't even hear the difference between a 3000 dollar speakers and 30000 dollar speakers. Having said that, u can't easily tell the difference without critically listening and comparing hi end cd player and computer source using the same DAC. Some of the differences are very subtle and may even escape you, that doesn't mean it's not there.

I skiped the whole cd player bit went from vinyl(still using) to a music sever. Down loaded some hd music, best sounding the smithereens do tommy, ripped alot of cds and off you go. Even through the dcs debussy, not vinyl, but getting closer. Oh and as far as the starter of this post suggested the end of the LP, the fact is, Vinly is the only growing sales of music! Not gone away anytime soon.

The end is near. That is why I stopped modding CD transports in 2009. That is why I removed my CD/DVD transport from my rack. Computer audio is finally approaching the best vinyl SQ, and not just hi-res either.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio