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
I accept that, for a lot of reasons, computer-based sources are more convenient and usually better sounding, but I just can't make the transistion--it's just feels more visceral and real to hold a tangible disc. Plus I've spent too much of my life hunting down and accumulating my nine gazillion discs--packing 'em away would, i suspect, leave a great big void in my psyche.
I've converted to a mac mini based computer audio system and have never looked back. In the last few years, the number of disks I've loaded into my CD transport can be counted on one hand. If it didn't look so cool, I would sell it.

My wife and friends are also happy I've converted - now they can play my music library without asking me to change the disk...
Amen Spudco....1700 rips later, my wife's happy, Rootman's happy, and I forgot I hadn't listened to 3000 of those tracks that were buried on some of those disc's that random mode has mined out of the gold mine of my discography(is that a word???)

Only problem now is I'm gaining weight, since I don't have to keep getting out of the recliner to change discs every few minutes, so I drink more wine and listen more.....

Time to get the turntable fired up again.........

Where's that Touch remote honey..........
Jax2 is correct in his thinking in my experence.

Bun is also correct but for some of use turning to PC audio has been a very positive move as Jax2 stated.

My setup kills the ex Lector Mk3 I had.
Brite61, thanks for your comment, one question, in your setup, do you also have the Scarlatti upsampler and master clock?

Thanks,
Daniel