Computer vs CD/SACD discs

08-01-14: Austinbob
I also think CDs ripped to lossless files on FLAC can sound better than the original CD, my theory being the error correction while ripping produces a more stable file (but don't have a shred of engineering background to prove this).

Kijanki's response is of course correct, as usual. A second set of reasons why playback of a ripped computer file may sound better than playback of the corresponding CD in a CD player, however, relates to jitter and to coupling of electrical noise from the CD player's transport mechanism into its other circuitry. The magnitude and character of those kinds of effects will of course be dependent on the design of the particular player.

See my post here for further explanation, although that thread addresses sonic differences between playback of an original CD and playback of a CD-R copy of it in the same CD player. Obviously, a comparison between playback of a computer file and playback of a CD introduces many additional variables into the mix.

My understanding is that a CD that is in good physical condition will have very few if any read errors that are not perfectly corrected during realtime playback. So I would expect that typically those noise and jitter issues will be of greater significance.

Regards,
-- Al

@Grannyring

Your response is SPOT ON!

I truly enjoy my Sony 5400 for CD and SACD.

Simple to use, and unbeatable quality IMO!

Cd's are very cheap, and much, much, more recordings to choose from, than High Rez downoads

Computer audio is too much hassle.

IMHO, +1 on Grannyring's post!, very well done, spot on!

"08-01-14: Grannyring
Now I simply load a CD and relax. Until there is a simple one box solution
and it is as easy as loading a CD, I am not going back to computer based audio."

Grannyring,I could not agree more!!! A single one-box solution seems like a totally doable request from any reputable high-end audio manufacturer in this day and age. After all... this is 2014!!!

Joecasey, Hi, I would like to bring to your attention that all the proof about any damn usb cable is inferior, however, the DLNA you are doing is better than usb cable!, Congrats!, To make this understood, there is NO true computer audio if you are going through a Dac,, what is a cd-player?, What is a Dac and a transport, mmm, Not tring to be funny here, A dac and a trans port is essentially a cd-player split in Half!, so, If any one uses a Dac in their computer set-up, they are truly running half computer audio!, I have run experiments many times of real computer audio useing the computers volume control to a reciever, intergrated amp, straight to an amp, ha, ha, Lousy to say the least!, now let's get to the profound part of the facts, first off, their will never be a $15,000.00 usb cable, The technology of usb does not allow for such technology!, I cannot come to terms as to why people believe cables do not make a difference, I can litterally put a $300.00 Yamaha cd-player up against any top flight computer audio source with a top usb cable, or DNLA to transport the audio, not fricken Data!, and use a profound interconnect like a Tara labs Zero Gold 1-meter interconnect and shockingly out-perform the computer audio, How do I know this, LOL!, I have done it and own the Damn cables to prove it!, sorry if I got frustrated here, It just is none since about tring to achieve world class audio with a half computer audio or true computer audio.