Is computer audio a bust?

This is depressing. I ripped about 60 of my CDs and more importantly have purchased and downloaded 30 odd high res albums all in FLAC format based on advice from HDTracks. I will experiment with my current computer set up between files ripped in FLAC and WAV, but I want to future and upgrade proof my source material to equipment upgrades. Garbage in... Aargh!

Dont feel bad; I rippedhalf my library in compressed flac before I learned that uncompressed flac sounds better. All moot now with tidal. Computer audio is not a bust with access to all this new music. We have all ventured into PC Audio via different paths. Streaming, PC/MAC servers, music servers... hopefully, all have the proper platform to take advantage of these new music services when they come out and can just listen to them in their native format, rather than reinventing the wheel when something new comes out. I think Tidal just the beginning.

There is no difference in information content between lossless compressed flac and uncompressed. If it sounds different there is some other reason for that. I moved from uncompressed lossless wav to compressed lossless flac with no problem.

Mapman, yes the difference is the latency of the computer unwrapping the Flacs. The sound is different than uncompressed Wav files. All of my newer files are stored in DSD and all are replayed in double DSD. I also have some music recorded in double DSD.

My best sounding digital is Essence of Music SACD done into DSD-big but beautiful.

Tbg,

agree the processing is different and may or may not be done well. Should not be a problem if done properly. Any modern computer with good software should be up to the task but that does not guarantee it is done correctly with best possible sound in mind.

FWIW software processing of uncompressed files can vary and be done well or not also so format alone assures nothing.