2. pc-audio
  3. 1320006647

difference beetwen pc audio and hi-end?

If somebody could write about difference between pc audio sound and for example dcs scarlatti,accuphase or emm labs. If for example dcs has 10 level (the best?) so when somebody who knows this (dcs) sound set pc audio (for example:realtek configuration audio HD)what number give this pc sound?, 3? 4?
I know that this very difficult. But if someone can set pc audio to compare a little with hi-end myabe write here . And if someone (like me) never heard dcs what can he hear the difference. If this difference will large,very large or very very large.Sory for my English. I come from Poland (Ancient Audio).
Thank You
p.s
In many tests in Poland dcs is the best. Is this really truth? It must be very very good system, but for example there are even more expensive systems.
awidyne
timlub
2,039 posts
 
Quote:
"There is no reason why a competently designed computer audio system (generally Mac, not PC) will not beat the highest end CD player"
Hi Steve, I noticed in other writings that you prefer MAC and your statement above says "Generally", but are you saying that even if you make all the right moves in PC that it cannot compete with MAC? I've not heard the best of the best on MAC, but what I've heard PC certainly competes. Have I missed something or are you saying subjectively?
pettyofficer
462 posts
 
I am tempted to respond to this, Timlub. My impression is that I-Tunes (MAC) is not so good. Amarra will give PC a
run for its Money. MAC Mini sounds promising, but modifications cost as much as a brand new MAC Mini, if not
more! Why didn't MAC get it right in the first place with
I-Tunes/MAC Mini? Neither were originally designed, in their original versions, for Audiophile Sound Reproduction.
Everyone still swears by them. I am just weary of any
Manufacturer requiring so much modification that you could
build a new device from scratch. So great-but you gotta
radically modify it-Why?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I recently had my Mac Mini die, so while it was in the shop, I used a PC. Not even in the same ballpark IMO. My customer feedbacks reinforce this. Mac Mini with Amarra 2.3.x is amazing. This version of Amarra is a game changer IMO.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
timlub
2,039 posts
 
So one last question Steve,
Is just MAC or are there versions that we would need to look for. Example Win 7 sounds clearly better than XP. Does a G4 sound as good as a current version? Any specifics we should seek out? (Sorry about double duty questions on this and another thread, please just answer this one, thanks)
richardfinegold
196 posts
 
A computer can be as good as any other digital source. After all, a compact disc player is basically just a limited computer with a limited operating system, no hard drive, and increased emphasis (relative to most computers) on D -A conversion.
If D-A conversion is effectively outsourced to another piece of audio gear, then computers absolutely belong in the high end.
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