Computer audio is a lot like early computers. The PC solution was buggy, but cheap. Sometimes you had to boot Win 98 several times a day. Then there was the Macintosh. it just worked every time and was easy to use, but you paid dearly for this.
Likewise, many of the cheaper systems and newcomers to this business do a poor job of both hardware and software. Others deliver world-class sound quality and deliver ease of use. I admit that finding both ease of use and excellent SQ can be difficult, but this is improving.
One thing you must understand is that Microsoft and Apple are not interested in improving the situation for audiophiles. Audiophiles are a tiny market niche and their resources are aimed at the masses and delivering portable, inteegrated solutions, not audio quality.
If everyone had this kind of attitude towards new technologies, we would not have the personal computer we do today. Cheap and powerful.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Likewise, many of the cheaper systems and newcomers to this business do a poor job of both hardware and software. Others deliver world-class sound quality and deliver ease of use. I admit that finding both ease of use and excellent SQ can be difficult, but this is improving.
One thing you must understand is that Microsoft and Apple are not interested in improving the situation for audiophiles. Audiophiles are a tiny market niche and their resources are aimed at the masses and delivering portable, inteegrated solutions, not audio quality.
If everyone had this kind of attitude towards new technologies, we would not have the personal computer we do today. Cheap and powerful.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio