Are Disc Players Dead?

Kijanki,

I don't think there are many people who don't use a computer, even though they think it is buggy and confucing (myself among them, even though I was an early adapter going back to DOS days). I think you can see from the comments in this thread that there is a wide range of experiences with computer audio, some of it great, some tolerable, some not so good. That is not the case with CDP's or transports and DAC's. That is my only point. And I also think it is much more difficult to get audiophile - grade SQ from computer based audio than CD-based. You need the right computer, backup hardware and software, player software, streamer or player hardware, USB or Toslink or firewire cables and good, reasonably priced download source and/or ripper software. That's a lot of pieces in which something can go wrong, even before they all have to communicate with each other. I just don't think computer audio is there yet for a high percentage of actual and prospective users. I eagerly await the day it is. I carry no brief for shiny discs, but nothing in this world sends my blood pressure higher than indecipherable error messages.

Neal

Nglazer,

That's just dead wrong. All you need to do it download iTunes and use AIFF or Apple Loseless files though a good DAC (just buy an AppleTV for $99 to run it through your home stereo via Toslink). Done.

I doubt many people in this day and age, especiallly audiophiles are not familiar with iTunes for use with iPods or iPhones. That's all you need.

AppleTV (or the like), into a DAC. If you have a wireless network at home (don't even tell me 99.9% of those on here do not given the socio-economic makeup of people in this hobby) the AppleTV will easliy sign on to the network, find your open iTunes library, and play it like you are using your iPod. It's that easy.

digital players will be dead when it is impossible to buy them. until then, they are not dead.

Nglazer, I hear you. I'm also getting mad with all the stupid system errors but that's why I bought Mac. From this point on everything went without any problems. Computer works like swiss watch and now I understand how bad the Windows is. Since many people prefer dedicated server and MacMini is not that expensive it is better and safer way to go.

I agree with you that hard disk based music server, instead of computer would be easier and better for many people but it is too expensive and not flexible. Separate DAC allows me to upgrade it in the future. The same goes for external hard drive.

I'm far from recommending this route to everybody. I would always advice against it to elderly, computer illiterate people, including my mother. To her CDP is way too complicated.

Macdactexas,

I have had an iPod and have been using iTunes since the day Apple came out with a Windows - capable iPod. I use a Classic with a Wadia i170 into my W4S DAC2. I am highly computer literate and easily could go the route you suggest. But my experience with Toslink has been poor and I have not read much that was good about AppleTV or equivalent for truly high end sound. I have not heard of for a computer audio route to compare to my RAM modded CEC TL-1X transport, via a Stealth Sextet digicable, to W4S DAC2: 2 components and a cable, top of the line sound, works every time. No kernel streaming, ASIO, WASAPI, crashes, dropouts, ripping, burning, downloading, backup, viruses, incomprehensible or nonexistent instructions, firmware, infirmware, et al. When computer audio routinely gets rid of those impediments, sign me up.

I may yet try a Mac Mini just to prove myself wrong, which I would love to do and I will be the first to admit it, but I doubt that will happen.

Neal