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Who has found happiness giving up cd player?

My system consists of Amati Anniversario speakers, Boulder 865 integrated amp, and Esoteric X-03 player. I like it. But I want to move to computer based sources. And if I do that, I'd like to go completely computer based, trade in my X-03 while my dealer will still give me full credit for it.

I've explored a lot of options. I know about the options with Mac or PC, through XLR or asynchronous USB or firewire, but I still don't know what to do. Go with something relatively cheap like the Ayre QB-9, and wait for the SOTA to advance? Invest in a dCS dac, upsampler, and clock, and expect to keep that for a long, long time? I like the idea of investing for the long term, but I don't want to end up enjoying my ripped CD's less than through my X-03.

It doesn't help that auditioning opportunities are somewhat limited, especially with my speakers and amp. Or that my dealer is adamant that I won't be happy replacing my X-03 with any computer based source, for redbook.

So my question is, has anyone found happiness replacing a mid range player like mine (or better) with an entirely computer based source? Anyone miss their transports?

Thanks!
Daniel
daniel_a
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I love the convenience of my squeezebox (just got the Berkeley DAC) and I also love my CD/SACD player. The server sounds pretty darn good and hours of uninterupted music is awesome. BIG plus is hearing those tracks that you either never played, or forgot about.

BUT, I also love my CD player (and my vinyl rig, FM tuner and reel to reel). It's all a great hobby. No need to limit oneself to any one source, unless you want to. I have just as much fun and musical enjoyment with each of my sources. It's a huge world out there. Enjoy it.
srwooten's avatar
srwooten
694 posts
 
Excellent post Cerrot!
daniel_a OP
4 posts
 
First, I'd like to thank everyone for posting. I like this thread, it's nice to hear about people ending up with equipment that they're happy with, as opposed to the endless search for the perfect dac or cable, there one could go mad.

It's been influential as well, I was leaning in the direction of dCS, and decided to follow Brite61 with the MacbookPro+Int202+Scarlatti, foregoing external clocking (the Int202 becomes the master clock) and not bothering with the upsampler. So the X-03 went back, and I'm not missing it at all, the new sound is very, very good.

-- Daniel
flg2001's avatar
flg2001
543 posts
 
I do...

Sold my Reimyo CDP and now using an iMac/Stello/Reimyo DAC with Puremusic sw.... Not missing it!
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