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Is computer audio a bust?

In recent months, I have had several audio acquaintances return to CDPs claiming improved SQ versus their highly optimized computer transports (SS drives, external power supplies, etc, etc).

I wanted to poll people on their experiences with computer "transports." What variables have had the most impact on sonics? If you bailed on computers, why?

I personally have always believed that the transport, whether its a plastic disc spinner or computer, is as or more important than the dac itself and thus considerable thought and energy is required.

agear
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knownothing
1,579 posts
 
Thanks, helpful description.

kn
agear OP
1,362 posts
 
10-28-14: Tbg
I find no worthy points being made on this thread. I see the computer as the wave of the future with data coming from internet downloads.

No need to torture yourself by returning to it then...:)

"Computers" are not the future. They are an evolutionary stepping stone until audiophile manufacturers catch up. Steve is ahead of the game due to his background. Many others have a mere rudimentary knowledge like may of us endusers who learn as they go.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
AudioL - what I mean by receiver is the chip that is receiving the digital differential signal on the USB cable. Common mode noise on this cable can exceed the CMR or common mode rejection of this receiver chip, and usually does, causing jitter in the receiver chip.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Thankyou Steve, That was informative, cheers.
agear OP
1,362 posts
 
11-08-14: Mcondon
Well, if the sound of the PS Audio Bridge is representative of what Ethernet has to offer, count me out. I thought the Bridge, which streamed audio via an Ethernet connection, sounded awful. The PS Audio Perfect Wave Transport was miles better in sound quality, but is not the last word in high fidelity. When I read claims that Ethernet audio is or will be superior to computer audio, my gut reaction is just to stick with a CD transport until a big, reputable audiophile manufacturer comes out with a "plug and play" server that rips CDs, provides storage for backup, is easy to control with an iPad, and sounds stellar without the need for a high cost USB-SPDIF converter. It cannot cost what Lumin charges, and it cannot be from a "mom and pop" operation with one or two people on board. Maybe I am a Luddite...but I don't work in IT and so the inconvenience of getting a computer or Ethernet source up and running seems worse than the inconvenience of getting up from my chair to put a CD in a transport when I want to listen to music. End of rant.

So are ethernet streamers a bust too?
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