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I just don't get PC Audio

I have been doing a lot of reading on the pros and cons of hard drive systems versus traditional CD players. From what I gather a hard drive system can be configured with a great DAC to meet or beat (well, maybe) a high end CD player.

So I contemplated this and what would need to be purchased each way and wound up buying an Esoteric X03SE and couldn't be happier. The point of my post is, am I the only one here who thinks hard drive systems have serious drawbacks that should prohibit an educated buyer not to jump in yet??

Hard drive pros:
-Can meet or maybe exceed the sonics of a dedicated cd player or transport combo (when using tracks burned from a CD)
-The ultimate lazy man's solution....simply surf and hit play (no CDs to load)

Hard drive cons:
-Just as expensive, if not more so than a dedicated CD player by the time you get the hard drive, back up storage, cables, monitor, DAC.
-Many units have hard drive noise that necessitates placing the unit away from the listening area.
-Need back up storage: This means you need to continually back up your collection for the day it crashes.
-Noone knows how long drives will last.
-Need to spend the time to burn all your CDs
-If you use iTunes the quality of downloaded songs is not great, therefore this solution only really works if you burn CDs you have. I know there are some other higher res options, but they are not widely available yet.
-You need some type of monitor to view the collection adding the complexity and nuisance of mixing PCs and Audio
-It is rapidly changing and noone knows what the outcome will be
-If you download one song at a time you essentially throw out any experience the artist may have designed with listening to an entire album

I am just not getting it, other than the two (some may say only one) pros I listed above, why else would an audiopile get a computer audio front end??? It is certainly not cheaper, in fact it is most likely way more.
arbuckle
vladimir
346 posts
 
Arbuckle, you forgot to add another two cons about PC audio:

1. tagging, especially classical music, is still more hard work on top of ripping.

2. Not being able to read anything about the music you're playing, once the CDs are locked up in the attic.

I'm about to begin building my fourth silent computer, this time as a home media center with DirecTV HDTV video recording for the entire house, for less than $800.

And I still love the music from my Bolder-modded Squeezebox2 and Monarchy Audio M24 DAC.
psacanli
535 posts
 
Deshapiro, please excuse my lack of knowledge but I'm sure I am not alone and others will be interested as well.
I am interested to know what you are playing on your system-what sources are you playing?
Where does the music come from and at what resolution?
How much music is available that way?
Are 'downloads' all you play?
Can you play cds through your Berkeley unit? If so how do they sound?
Your experience/comments with this new system will be edifying for many of us.
soundqcar
78 posts
 
Bar81 asked..."Were you running direct? My guess is yes and SS amps."

My Wadia was running into an ARC Ref3, and that into an Atma-sphere M60 mk3. Modwright is now doing the same. I have never heard a Solid State amp that I could ever live with long term....lord knows I have looked.
bar81
791 posts
 
Wow. Now you've got me curious. Could you tell me what you felt were the improvements in the Modwright versus the Wadia?
nilthepill
842 posts
 
I don't either. But then again I have not heard and compared SOA digital Transport/DAC (Say Zanden or Metronome an the like) combo with any music server based set up.

My main point why I don't get it: It is well know fact that the better drive mechanism of SOA transport assures correct reading and keep data stream timing in as good tact as possible. Wouldn't regular basic harddisk based server would have a drive mechanism ( sed while rippin a CD off) much inferior to the SOA Transport? Am I missing something?
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