What is the best transport?

Thanks to Hew, I have installed Win Server 2012 R2 and also the Audiophile Optimizer.

Just installing the 2012 R2 made a nice difference in sound compared to Win 8, but the result of running the Server 2012 in core mode with the AO is the absolute best possible sound I've ever heard from a computer - "digititis" is gone and I hear pure analog-like music. Simply amazing and highly recommended - a real hope for computer based audio.

Will follow up with shootout results against my DTR-M digital transport and the Kuzma/Dynavector table in a couple of days.

Bottom line, since I have both Apple and the Server 2012 based commuters, you really need the above mentioned setup to really hear what is possible.

Thanks again Hew for the info!

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi

It actually might not be the best quality source, but it certainly can sound extremely good and the convenience factor is off the charts.

Given that digital is my third string quarterback behind analog tape and vinyl I find myself feeling the same way about computer audio. Having just set up a wired Ethernet network for playback I can say that it bested my previous USB converter setup and comes pretty close to my former reference which was a CEC transport slaved to my Lessloss DAC. The convenience factor is definitely a plus.

I had a chance to meet the Lampizator folks at Newport and I have to,say their transport is enticing, but given how my digital setup,sounds now I may just leave well enough alone.

Alex,I am very please that you are enjoying it. Phil has done amazing work with the Optimizer. There may be a few more things you could do as well that brings further improvements. If you are interested let me know.

Hew, I cannot agree more with you about Phil and the AO!

Preliminary results against my DTR-M digital transport show significant improvement of the computer. The difference is now almost negligible, but I feel there is a tad more needed from the computer.

I'd really appreciate your input about any further possible improvements. You are also welcome to email me if you'd like.

Thanks much!
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi

Alex, how do you get data from your server to the dac? Do you use usb?