Will computer to DAC replace transports and cdp's?

Helpdesk,

"The best jitter reduction scheme is to clock the transport from the DAC"

Really, how so? Would you please elaborate? For example, would you please explain to us how would you eliminate the jitter of a PLL MULTI-Clock generator with just providing it a FREQUENCY reference which is usually done with VCO??? I'm dying to hear your answer.

"Therefore, the sound from a server based system will not be better than the EMM combo originally mentioned, even if an EMM DAC is used."

True, but this has nothing to do with the usual clock syncing.

"The EMM DAC must convert incoming PCM to DSD in order to convert to analog. If the servers sound card has a clock input and can be re-clocked by the EMM DAC, then you can come close to the EMM transport /DAC combo."

True again but it does not really have to do anything with the clock because the EMM CDSD transport is simply superior (working as a combination with the EMM DAC) to the computer based audio. The fact that the CDSD feeds DSD to the EMM DAC, and also the non-PLL syncing between the two, are two of the many major reasons.

And finally to answer the original question of this thread:

"Will computer to DAC replace transports and cdp's?"

The answer is NO, if superior audio quality is desired of course. Otherwise we might as well get I-PODs.

Regards,
Alex

"Will computer to DAC replace transports and cdp's?"

The answer is NO, if superior audio quality is desired of course. Otherwise we might as well get I-PODs.

Computer to DAC is quite a bit different from an iPod, so you lost me there. But more generally, why is the answer "No"? Does the answer have to be "No"? Because clearly this is the direction many of us intend to go, even if it means giving up the last bit of sonic excellence. But of course we'd rather not give up anything.

Drubin, You can sure run the latest iPod to a DAC if you want, with similar results. :)

I'd agree that the Computer Audio has a potential and a future, but there are many issues to be addressed first with it, if that "last bit of sonic excellence" is required, and believe me, the "last bit" is a "huge bit". :)

I would prefer to keep all the reasons for my self (for now) because otherwise I'd be providing proprietary information. When the time comes, you will be one of the first to find out what I mean.

Regards,
Alex

Based on Alex's last two posts, it wouldn't surprise me to see a totally re-engineered iPod coming from APL-HiFi in the future - for the low, low, price of $4995 no less.

Just an iPod with a digital output - USB2.0 or Firewire, preferably - would be great. Not if it meant I had to use iTunes, but if it meant I could carry around lossless music and plug it directly into a high-end DAC, it would be great.