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Are Disc Players Dead?

How important is a disc player anymore? I think that stand alone DAC's have far eclipsed the stand alone disc player in importance over the last 3 years with the rise of server based music.

Only an SACD really needs a disc player anymore. In what instance can you get better sound from a disc player than when you download the music, CD or HiRez, then play it back through a new stand alone DAC with the latest technology?

I really only use my very humble disc player to watch movies that I own now. I download most movies to rent through AppleTV, and if I buy a CD (rare) I download it to the server, where it takes up residence in iTunes for playback in AIFF format.

So, disc players on their deathbed, as DAC move to the top of the digital mountain?

I say yes.
macdadtexas
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,611 posts
 
.
These audio debates are hilarious. I love it!

The disc player guys versus the server guys.

....and the vinyl guys think that both of you are nuts!
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schiss
19 posts
 
I installed a Sonos system and added a high end DAC about 6 months ago. Since then I have not used my CD player once. I still listen to vinyl for critical listening but the convenience of the Sonos is nice.
macdadtexas OP
1,794 posts
 
Jafreeman, you need to explain that to me? How is that? It's the DAC in the disc player reading the 1's and 0's, so I call BS on that.
nglazer
846 posts
 
They are most assuredly not. Many of us like the simplicity, reliability and high SQ of transports and DACs, traits often not found in server-based music systems. We eschew the myriad of acronyms, server and software hiccups, crashes, droputs, firmwares, updates, backdates, minute-by-minute obsolescence of server-based music, especially through USB. At least early day CDP's were reliable!

Neal
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Neal,
That`s a good summary, without question there are great sounding server systems(but no better than the really good transport/one box players).

The problem is the numerous bugs that have yet to be sorted out.There`s still a learning curve and a ways to go.
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