What is the best transport?

No question computer audio has a complexity level. Having the tenacity to persevere is the biggest challenge for the installer.

My reasons for interest in having a music server for a transport:
1. To preserve my vinyl collection. I plan to rip my LP collection.
2. To play Spotify and Pandora though my system. ( I enjoy the ability to preview the album before the purchase)
3. E-mail, downloading and wireless is replacing the printing press, publishing houses and the world I grew up in.
4.I am joining the this movement only because I have no desire to miss the wave. If I have learned anything in 36 years of association with the engineering business it is : the only technology which is insignificant it is the one which has been left behind.

What we are now using my be obsolete by the time this is posted. Who knows?

I did not light the fire but I might as well warm myself with it.

Computer Audiophile is a tremendous resource for those interested in a DIY server. Small Green Computer can make it for you if you feel your not savvy enough. But honestly, if your semi-computer literate, you can do it.

The Caps design is outstanding! On V3 now with four different entries to suit your needs/tastes.

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/496-computer-audiophile-pocket-server-c-p-s-v3-carbon/

"between the hardware, software, network and everything else, all the variables are mind numbing. you can get good sound pretty easy imo. getting great sound is something else entirely. thinking i'm pretty close now but it sure wasn't easy getting here"

Well said Levy03! I've spent so much time fussing over the options duing the past year that I've fogotten to just enjoy my music collection. I just decided to get a Sooloos MD600/MS600 combination to go with my Simaudio 650D dac, buy copious wine and enjoy the tunes for the next while! Is it the best sounding? Probably not, but it sounds pretty good and the Sooloos interface and set up is a no-brainer...

I'm really getting sick and tired to read this BS (and not only on this site((() about how the files ripped to computer will beat any CD transport!!! Unbelievable BS and misrepresentation and/or ignorance!!! I click this link hoping to find some meaningful suggestions about really "best transport" hopefully for less than a house this days, but instead reading this B.S. about computers!!!
I can bet each and all of you - comp propagators, that your own $10 CD ROM which you used for ripping said files will beat those files you are so happy about, not even mentioning decent CD transport (like my Teac VRDS 10, they are not even from the same planet!!!!), or moreover $300 Technics TT and decent phonostage. Are you kidding yourself? How far this BS can go really ? Are you people deaf of you so much involved in the industry that can't admit truth any more???
Changeout! Have you transfer your LP's on to the computer yet? I would be very curious to hear how much better they sound now.)))))))))))
Is it convenient? Yes, very much so, but it does not sound as good as CDs, or moreover LPs.
And even convenience is very questionable, considering the tremendous instability of those "home made boutique" soft players which you have to delete and reinstall every other day... I don't know may be its different on PC but on MAC - VLC, doesn't work(with sound, movies OK), just loaded JRIver media center, worked for about one half of a day and crashed on me and not working since (very low level of sound) even though i deleted and reinstall it for 3 times. Even when it did work i was not able to add any files to the library, just whatever it pulled at a time of initial instalment and thats it, (may be its due to Maverick OS). Airport Express Air play is the pain in the S. The time and nerves it takes to make that comp to make any sound at all, which is far... from the best, is unbelievable.
Of course i would agree to take all this hassle if it really sounded at least on par with the CD, but it is NOT!!! As i already explained in the other thread (can't find it to link), you loosing the sound right there when you converting your CDs to WAV/AIFF (the rest of formats don't care even to discuss) on SSD or even worth to HDD. Please, don't give me those meaningless arguments about "bit perfect identical files, etc.!!!" It reminds me of an argument with one guy, who was arguing with me that he knows for sure as a PHD in physics, that all cables would sound the same. Unfortunately files inferior in sound compared to $10 CD ROM!!!
Yes, I still want to make it work some how in order to listen to those files which could be gotten for free from internet, and/or not available on LPs/CDs, etc. But please, don't tell me that com is "the best transport"!!!!

Dvave,
Very interesting and passionate thoughts! Computer vs CD transport is no different than the intractable tube vs transistor debate. There are simply two distinct camps and both have strong supporters. I can say I've heard some good sounding computer audio systems. A high quality CD spinning front end still reproduces music better sounding in my humble opinion. So I can relate to your stance.
Charles,