Where's Digital playback at today ?

If you want an analog sound from digital, I can get you there, but it may be a bit more than $8K. The best route is computer audio, but I can also get you close using any CD transport, even the one you already use.

I typically get a best of show for my systems at every show I'm at, and this year was no exception at Newport and RMAF:

Newport 2013
http://www.stereophile.com/content/empirical-audio-vapor-audio
RMAF 2013
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=120535.msg1267552#msg1267552

Bill Hobba knows my equipment, at least the Off-Ramp 4.

Several customers of mine have abandoned or sold their vinyl setups after getting my digital gear:

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/news-and-reviews/overdrive-dac

I can even help you make your vinyl setup sound a lot better at the same time. Just email me - see the website.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
http://www.empiricalaudio.com

Well. I see my homework is cut out for me.
Virtually every single digital playback that I listened to had identifiable digital character and colourations that left me cold which ultimately forced me to abandon cd and sacd all together.
So ,ten years have passed and I am curious again about digital play back, how far has it actually advanced from a decade ago? And I'm sure it has.
The challenge what ever that I listen to in digital play back will be stiff, what my Lyra Olympus cartridge is pulling out of the record groove is revelatory.

You should audition a "true" digital playback system. Redbook CD players can only approximate the true digital content of a CD, because they cannot eliminate errors that occur when playing back CDs in real time.

I am referring to a system that reads the digital content as digital files and "ripping" the content with software like dBpoweramp or similar. The files are digitally accurate down to the bit level. Of course, the playback of those files to streaming digital now becomes the challenge, but is one which a number of systems are doing well.

I have never been really satisfied with CD playback (when compared to vinyl) even though the low noise levels, lack of wear of the media, and ease of use have kept CDs at the top of the music heap in my life.

After trying a "memory" type player (PS Audio PWT) I could see the benefits of this type of system, and after further moving to a system that extracts and ripps digitally perfect files with dBpoweramp I began to hear things on CDs that I have missed heretofore.

You should try to listen to one of these systems to see if your opinion on digital remains. And BTW, these systems cost well under $8K.

'Bill Hobba knows my equipment, at least the Off-Ramp 4.'

Sure do - and its good stuff.

But its vitally important to not take my, Steve's, or any-ones word for anything - you MUST hear it for yourself and in your own system.

For example I tried the Killer DAC with Steve's OR4 as source compared to a really wild upgradaded battery powered Wadia transport. Now normally the OR4 SLAUGHTERS transports. Not in this case - the transport was harmonically rich and very pleasing to listen to, the OR had better tighter bass and greater detail but a whiteness to it I don't think would appeal to analogue guys. I actually preferred the transport, but it wasn't the type of thing you would say one is better than the other for sure - others may prefer the OR.

Bottom line is you must listen for youself.

Thanks
Bill

In_Shore

Things have improved significantly in the last 10 years. Mostly the jitter is now lower than ever. Also DACs are using better digital filters and some use none, which is best. Other advancements are in ground-loop isolation and preamps.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio