Is computer audio a bust?

CErrot,

Bandwidth + good design is the key. The data must be available at the time needed. Then as in all cases, the d2a conversion process must be done well. All within the capabilities of the technology, but only if done right.

Same with any source. How many cheap crappy ceramic cart turntables are out there compared to the good stuff? Same story.

If one simply buys a recent design good quality USB DAC designed for optimal performance, like BEnchmark for example, (need not cost much), you should be in very good shape.

Much easier than getting a good turntable and then having to match everything and set it up properly. Its a relative piece of cake.

I'm with you Mapman, but I think you're beating your head against the wall, unfortunately.

"You don't use USB for audio"

"USB is too polluted"

"There is no proper way of using USB"

Cerrot isn't talking in terms of potential, or possibilities, or advancing technology, or implementations. He talks in absolutes - USB is unusable for audio in his mind. To him, there is no other answer, end of discussion, don't bother with further examination.

We've had this discussion with him in another thread, explaining that I'm getting great audio quality over USB, and to him this is all a fig newton of my imagination. He doesn't care if aliens from 5000 years into the future show up with some nanoo-nanoo technology that makes USB sound like angels caroling in your ears - he'll tell the aliens the same thing, "you aliens need to use SPDIF". The fact that, just for example, the Oppo BDP-105 (which I don't own, but may buy for a 2nd system) is getting rave upon rave reviews, including for its sound quality over USB (it has XMOS chip + asynch USB), has no bearing in Cerrot's thinking. To him, all those reviews are a USB conspiracy, not unlike the Loch Ness conspiracy. The ONLY thing USB should be used for, other than computer mice, is to put some marinara sauce on top and to be enjoyed with a nice Chianti.

And with that, I'm going to go listen to my Coby $10 walkman-clone playing a heat-damaged Debbie Gibson CD through an 89 cent USB cable into a pair of speakers I made from Adidas shoeboxes and drivers pulled from the doors of a '71 Plymouth station wagon. That's not actually my system, but that's the system that Cerrot will tell you is the only system that should consider USB.

Bc,

I hear you.

I am a glutton for punishment sometimes I suppose, but I do like to refute inaccurate or questionable things that get published when I feel I am knowledgeable enough or qualified to do so. Jut to help keep things straight. Its a dirty job, but one that every knowledgeable music and audio lover should partake in.

Just be sure to keep a sense of humor around as well.....

You're a good egg Mapman. Wish I could talk more, but I have to get back to the kitchen...I'm very carefully unwrapping the outer sleeve of a salami in one long 1/8" strip - I plan to use it to replace my USB cable.