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Am I in the minority?

I was perusing some older posts today about computer audio and one that got me thinking was, "Once you go the computer audio route, you'll never want to listen to a CD player again." I've tried using only a computer as my transport into a USB DAC, and while it sounded great, I found I wasn't listening to digital music as much as when I had a CD player. For me, I actually enjoy selecting a CD from the rack, placing it on the tray, and watching the display read "Track 1". Unlike some I don't mind getting off the couch to replace the CD with another when it's done. That's one of the reason why vinyl is a better medium for me, also. I like watching the record spin as the tonearm is being lowered. Am I the only one who feels this way?
doc_stereo
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Are these great sounding Computer/DAC systems connected via USB? Is that the only way? And, is it true that USB remains a compromised audio transfer of data to a DAC?
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
The people I know who have tried "memory DACs" find they are not as good as standard DACS.
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,587 posts
 
Ferrari, I'm sure ASCAP and BMI are keeping a close eye on any legitimate download seller. I disagree about free music though. There has always been free music. We used to call it radio.

I don't have a computer set-up yet, but I'm looking forward to trying it. I'll keep my physical media. I've got a lot of stuff that's never going to make it to he-res download. I don't find the loading of discs or Lps to be enjoyable though. Must be all those albums I flipped over the years.
2chnlben
595 posts
 
Stanwal,

Mr."T" was referring to a "memory transport", not a memory DAC. The memory transport spins the cd disc to retrieve the information, then basically "stores" it in bit perfect form prior to sending it via I2S to the DAC (no spinning discs, no lasers = less possibilities for mechanically induced jitter). It's a great concept that works very well.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
"Are these great sounding Computer/DAC systems connected via USB? Is that the only way? And, is it true that USB remains a compromised audio transfer of data to a DAC?"

Yes, USB. There are no technical compromises with USB, just some existing designs that are poorly executed. New technologies always have this effect. Think about the very first CD transport. Complete junk. Now CD transports are quite good because the designers have finally figured out that jitter matters etc.. Likewise some of us have figured out USB.

You can also get great results with networked WiFi devices and a reclocker, but these are typically limited to 44.1 and maybe 96. USB will do 24/192.

Both of these interfaces use packetized data bursts, buffering at the end-point and then establishing a new master clock. Once you have this, the details of the interface are less important.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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