External HD Changing the quality of the sound?

Spent time the last 2 evenings A/B 'ing CDP vs Apple Lossless version with BitPerfect through DAC. Listened mainly to Peter Gabriel's "So" that I am very familiar with...especially tracks 3, 6 & 9. Have to say I found it VERY hard to tell a difference. Any differences were subtle if not imagined but with CDP sounding a little more "there" (I did try to make sure SPLs were the same). I'll continue to experiment but at this point computer audio makes sense mainly for convenience. Can fit a lot of CDs on a portable 1TB hard drive. Also good for downloading music files that aren't available in physical format. To me, doesn't seem worth the hassle of "ripping" CDs to hard drive for a superior music listening experience. That's not to say others aren't enjoying something improved by doing so. Just that to me, given what I'm willing to invest $ & time-wise to realize an improvement in computer audio - not worth it right now.

I find that my EMM Labs XDS1 and Playback Designs still sound better with a spinning disc but the software keeps sounding better so I suspect it might overtake it eventually.

Wow - that is some primo, gear you have, DH.