Why use CD Transport instead of computer source

Interesting question that I've been pondering for a year... I have two Squeezeboxes and have tried a Transporter in my system. But, none have sounded quite as good as CD players/transports to me in my system and I've tried 3 of those (Wadia 830 w/GNSC mods, Cambridge Audio 840c, Oracle transport).

So, I use both. For critical listening, it's either my CD transport or my turntable... both satisfy quite nicely. But, my Squeezeboxes are in constant use otherwise and the level of convenience is wonderful. Many have said that modded SB3s or Transporters do exceed even the best CD players. That may be true but I have not gone done that path (yet).

I don't doubt that someday, hard-disk/memory based players will sound as good or better than even the best CD players/transports today. But, will I get rid of mine? At this point, I still use my turntable so I'm guessing I'll still be wanting to spin CDs in the future as well... just the dinosaur in me, I suspect.

Mike

yes there is but I don't fully understand why. Why does one transport sound better than another? Some say it is due to Jitter. Mod companies generally improve the clock to reduce Jitter and replace the power supply. Despite such changes there are still strong differences between transports. Why does changing the digital cable change the characteristics of the sound if all it needs to transfer is 1's and 2'?.
I use a pc transport into a USB/ Balanced Digital output. It goes into an Appoge Big Ben Reclocker to reduce the Jitter produced by an inferior PC transport clock. Finally it goes into my Accustic Arts tube DAC before entering my N32 pre Amp. Despite all this, my Cec TL0X belt driven transport blows it away. Why, I don't know but it sure does. Richard

I hate to pile on, but IME Mike and Hamburg are right. I have a didgital modified (by BOLDER) SB3 feeding my DAC, but also an old Proceed PDT-3. Back in its day the Proceed was one of the best transports out there, and it's still quite competitive, IMO. When I want to listen to my music at its best I use my transport. The SB3 is really good, but it is juuusssst not quite as good as a dedicated transport. I do use a linear supply with it, BTW.

Using a Squeezebox 3 connected to the digital input of my Cary 306 SACD player does not at any means sound as good as when I ust the Cary as a CD transport. I have not yet tried the Transporter.