PC-Audio vs. High-end CD Player-GAME OVER

"With all due respect to Alex of APL, without some type of digital input as the PRIMARY interface, he's manufacturing a doorstop. A very high functioning one, perhaps, but a doorstop just the same."

actually, alex does offer a digital input on his players. they're also the finest sounding doorstops i've ever heard.

If any one is using one of Alex's units as a doorstop, I'd be happy to give it a very nice home here on Maui.

With all due respects,I can't understand why anyone would spend big bucks on a USB Tube DAC that can only do 16/48.

That's "A very high functioning doorstop."

HI,
My point is not actually about APL. By all accounts it's a killer product. and I hope that one day I'm lucky enough to hear one. If you read my post carefully, I said that soon the "primary input" will be digital, not a CD. I think that all the effort placed into it's transport mechanism will be a waste. Of course I know that CD's will be with us for a long time. After all, look at how many there are around. However, given how good my system sounds, along with the fact that I never have to get up out of the chair, I think that I may turn into a doorstop.

David

Can't help noticing that the "Digital" forum is also "PC Audio" forum now, with few posts in the "PC Audio" forum.

Hello David,

However, given how good my system sounds, along with the fact that I never have to get up out of the chair, I think that I may turn into a doorstop.

With all due respect to you and your fine sounding system, here are few points I'd like to introduce:

1. Many digital designers would agree that the noisy switching power supply in a PC-based audio can never come even close to a linear power supply, especially if R-Core power transformers are used. A "nice DAC" (or any other “solution”) can not help eliminating the switching power downsides. This includes a Laptop because the battery feeds a switching power supply inside.

2. Most audiophiles will confirm the unquestionable superiority of SACD and DVD-A over 44/16 Redbook CD, so having the world's best VRDS-NEO disc spinner capable of playing SACD, DAD, DVD-A and DVD Video is a welcomed feature, especially with close to 5000 SACD titles currently available.

4. The 32 bit/20 DACs per channel NWO-3.0GO universal digital player comes with a standard 192/24 digital input (you can actually hit it with 216/24) so you can enjoy the convenience of your PC-based HDD library while using the player as a DAC. You can also spin your SACDs, DADs, DVD-As, DVD Video and CDs on the VRDS-NEO if best results are desired.

5. The NWO-3.0GO comes with an optional Analog input so those hard-core audiophiles can spin their vinyl through it. Since the NWO has a built in remote controlled H-Attenuator, it negates the need of a preamp.

I hope you can hear one soon and let us know your impressions!

Regards,
Alex