Is this the END of DAYS for the high end CD player

Ok, I have been looking into a computer based front end and have decided to stick with a CD player for now. Far too much flux and change with new products for me to jump in. The whole USB thing is my real wall right now. Folks are coming out with HUGE improvements right and left faster then I can take it all in.

Timing seems a little early for me. I still love my CD player!

I get a headache trying to keep up with all the computer based audio turns, twists, software, hardware, improvements, etc... I calm down and relax with my CD player and CD in hand. No, I will wait longer before jumping on this high speed train!

Exactly where I stand today. Even if the magazines are making an attempt to churn up a new product category for review and possible advertising. It just does not feel like music-servers are ready for prime time, just yet. I think it needs to be sorted out in terms of connectivity standards, music library management software, and made relatively idiot proof for implementation by the average Joe (audiophile) - it just feels like too much work, when it does not seem that way is when I will make a move to hard drive based storage, or possibly cloud based hi-rez stream and play.

when it does not seem that way is when I will make a move to hard drive based storage, or possibly cloud based hi-rez stream and play

I agree with Grannyring and Pubul57. For now I am actually going back and forth between two excellent players, one of which has the capability to play hi-rez DVD-A so I am trying to figure out if I can find and burn hi-rez downloadable music for that player. I have no real desire to change over until the sound quality is at least equal to that of my players.

I suspect that a hard drive based system into a top flight DAC with good music management software might be at the level of players, at least that what the magazines would have you think, some arguing of the benefits of magnetic versus optical readers for the "transport" function. No I am staying aways because it is just not plug & play and I don't need the headache of figuring it all out, for me a 5-10,000 front end should not require that much thought. Interesting review of the new Olive HD Music Server in TAS this month, a good read on the whole situation written by Cordesman.

I'll add the Van den Hul optical cables sounded best through my OPPO 981. Yesterday, I added a system-matched Proceed PDT-3. Now, the AES/EBU input sounds best. The new transport is also connected with a Van Den Hul optical cable. The VDH cable sounds smoother for extremely poor recordings - about 10-20% of older disks. Either connection sounds much better musically than the OPPOs' digital outs.

As a distant example, consider using a turntables' older 78 RPM needle when playing your best LP's. Changing out to the correct stylus sounds like night and day. I experienced a similiar improvement with this new transport.

It appears that system-matching all digital components together appears to be the most significant factor that I can share with others.