Is computer audio a bust?

far from it. i sold my multi-thousand $$$ CDP years ago. it depends on how you set things up, what computer you use, dac, protocol, cables, software to read and write the data, and other things.
Don't go with Sonos, or apple tv's unless you want to listen to background music, which they would be fine.
a few years back, before async usb, i wouldn't touch USB. but since most good dacs support this up to 24/384, this is 1 of the better options. if you use toslink, you are limited to 24/96.
you also need to keep the bus clean from 1 device to another. all my hard disks are firewire and i use USB for my dac. don't put everything on USB.
Cables matter, especially the USB cable. don't go cheap. also, with more dsd tracks available for purchase or ripping, make sure your dac will support the different versions of dsd.
in a nutshell, i would go with a mac mini, xld or MAX to rip cd's, several firewire disks (1 or more for your songs, 1 or more to backup the other disks), the best usb cable you can afford, the best dac you can afford with async usb, 24/384 capabilities, integer mode, and dsd support, and your pick between amarra/pure music/audirvanna, there are others like jriver and i think bit perfect, but i've never used them. then use an iPad or iPhone to control everything from your listening chair.
you will never go back!

Joecasey - you did realize I was joking about computer audio, sex and marijuana all being obsolete in 5 years, right? :-)

See my follow-up post and you'll see that I consider computer-based audio to not only have a future, but a great future - my setup is an example of how easy and enjoyable it can be.

Right on foster_9.

07-16-14: Foster_9
Agear, many of the posts in this thread clearly demonstrate
the convoluted nature of computer audio, the lack of consensus
on best practices, and some of the reasons computer
audiophiles will remain a niche group within this audiophile
niche group.

I agree 100%. In my optimism, I wanted to see if people had nailed down variables that had the biggest impact on SQ in hopes of understanding better why my audio friends (with good ears and systems) bailed. It was not due to the inherent complexity of computer audio. The SQ of their CDPs was just clearly better. It would be interesting to do a blinded shootout with a unit like the Aesthetix Pandora using either its digital input or the CD section.

Your kidding!, they will not EVER make a $15,950.00 usb cable!, really!, I have a $15,950.00 balnced cable! very incredible sounding to say the least!, state of the art!, computer audio will never reach that point of world class systems, case closed!