The CD player is dead.......

My main objective was to find out why people prefer cd players over a computer/dac combo.

I'm surprised that as far as I can see no one has yet mentioned the jitter issues that can arise with interfaces between dacs and spdif or aes/ebu or usb outputs, but which do not arise with a competently designed one-box player.

Certainly those issues can be and frequently are overcome, but not without some combination of luck; trial and error; careful selection of components, jitter rejection technology, cables, connector types, and even cable length; and in many cases added expense as well.

Obviously there are many other factors which will result in a one-box approach not being the right solution for many people, but the jitter issue would certainly seem like something that should be a significant consideration in the tradeoffs.

Regards,
-- Al

What if the CD player is cryoed?

For sure music file server devices that are also user friendly will become increasingly prevalent and popular as the technology matures.

So far, you can do it yourself which is less expensive but still significantly complex to do well and in a fail safe manner or buy more expensive integrated solutions that cost more and still may not have all the common user glitches worked out

If you can touch it you can feel it. Tom

I'm sorry you've had problems with hard drive crashes. I don't view it as anything more than a maintenance item, rather like periodically needing new tires for your car.

Also, replacing a motherboard does not mean losing data if you have a backup. I know, as I've replaced motherboards before.

Unlike you, I have lost CDs to rot. And I've also lost them due to kids, friends and my own carelessness. The same thing applies to LPs.

And for house fires, FEMA statistics indicate there are 400,000 house fires on average each year. That's a pretty serious number. While I hope no one has one, and if they do music is going to be pretty far down their list for a while, but a simple off-premises hard drive backup solves that problem without the need to repurchase music when they finally get around to this hobby again.

One only needs to peruse the internet and you can find horror stories about any product or device ever made, whether unwanted Toyota acceleration, computer problems, CD players or turntables.

Yes, some people have problems with computer music players, but there are many of us who are quite satisfied with our system and who feel well protected with our backup systems.

You're the one with the doom and gloom scenario so you shouldn't be surprised with others point out the weak points of the alternatives. Everyone needs to find their own comfort zone.