What is the best transport?

Is computer audio difficult to set up and run?...I don't think so. Can it sound great?...you bet! Can it drive an audiophile crazy with tweaking?...definitely!!

You audition a few transports on your DAC and find the one you like and you're done, except maybe for some digital cable tweaking (congrats on the PWT by the way, many great reviews!).

With computer audio, though, everything seems to impact the sound so the tweaking involves seemingly endless combinations of ripping software (dbpoweramp, EAC, etc.), file formats (wave vs. flac vs. aiff, compressed vs. non-compressed), computer/storage hardware (PC vs. Mac, different hard drives, NAS, etc.), library management software (iTunes, JRiver, Amarra, UPnP options like Asset) playback software (add-ons to iTunes), settings within playback software. You can definitely get a great system going but you've got to have a lot of patience and good support from your local dealer to put the pieces together for a digital front end system that gives you optimal performance. It's a tweaker's paradise or nightmare, depending on your perspective...

Closed systems help make some of these deicisons for you (e.g. Sooloos) to simplify the matter but they can be expensive.

I agree that computer audio (networked or not) will become increasingly popular but it'll be a different world with a more "open source" type of approach that is more akin to the world of computers than traditional audio.

Canb: spot on buddy...we're miles away from plug & play. have spent countless hours to get my pc set-up where it is today and even then...i run into the dreaded "glitch" once in a while. three years of tweaking, head scratching, help desk calls ect....have me wondering how close we are to a true high quality "plug & play" pc set-up.

between the hardware, software, network and everything else, all the variables are mind numbing. you can get good sound pretty easy imo. getting great sound is something else entirely. thinking i'm pretty close now but it sure wasn't easy getting here.

don't get me wrong. i'm a pc audio fan boy and love my set-up. just want to help others understand where we are in the game. if you don't have the time, patients and will to get it right....you're in for some disappointment and frustration

cheers

i own the audionote player you are using as a transport and also own the ps audio perfect wave transport.

the audionote is not a good transport, and i am aware of two transports that i prefer as compared to the ps audio.

i would suggest that you listen to transports. a server is a good idea, but cec use to produce some excellent transports.

No question computer audio has a complexity level. Having the tenacity to persevere is the biggest challenge for the installer.

My reasons for interest in having a music server for a transport:
1. To preserve my vinyl collection. I plan to rip my LP collection.
2. To play Spotify and Pandora though my system. ( I enjoy the ability to preview the album before the purchase)
3. E-mail, downloading and wireless is replacing the printing press, publishing houses and the world I grew up in.
4.I am joining the this movement only because I have no desire to miss the wave. If I have learned anything in 36 years of association with the engineering business it is : the only technology which is insignificant it is the one which has been left behind.

What we are now using my be obsolete by the time this is posted. Who knows?

I did not light the fire but I might as well warm myself with it.

Computer Audiophile is a tremendous resource for those interested in a DIY server. Small Green Computer can make it for you if you feel your not savvy enough. But honestly, if your semi-computer literate, you can do it.

The Caps design is outstanding! On V3 now with four different entries to suit your needs/tastes.

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/496-computer-audiophile-pocket-server-c-p-s-v3-carbon/