Are you still playing CDs after, comp based syst?

I had fun as well when it came to the convenience of perusing my collection. Fast and easy became the norm. It was only when I swapped out some ICs that I came to the conclusion that all bets were off as far as sound quality: the difference was that big.

Being a cheapie, I 'retreated' back to my CDP and my old ways, Ol' fart that I am.

Better PC audio is just around the corner and when it comes, I'll be among the first to adopt. Check out Sarjans review of the ASUS DAC/Headphone/Preamp
http://6moons.com/audioreviews/asus/1.html

Yes, that ASUS. And pay attention to his remarks at the end of his review. ASUS has the means and market reach to finally come up with a dedicated laptop music server and keep the cost down, if only they listen.....

I recall a member here who wanted to see if there were enough feedback and willingness to seek out a maker of laptops for the same purpose. After reading Sarjans review, I feel it's just a matter of time.

All the best,
Nonoise

Mitch/Larry, this is why I decided to go with a PC audio setup, instead of buying a really nice CDP. I was at a crossroads, had bought a cheapo changer, and I knew I wasn't a single-disc guy, so after much hand wringing I went PC audio and never regretted it.
Petty officer, yes lots of new artists are only available via .mp3 download. I feel your pain. The indie music scene seems to think producing music with poor dynamic range is "stickin' it to the man." Some bands think going into a studio with tons of great recording gear is "selling out," I guess. I don't know how this kind of sound got popular, maybe it's all about budget, maybe not. Consider the Arctic Monkeys. Their first album was not well produced, but was very catchy and capitalized on their huge club following. Set all kinds of sales records. I will say that the quality of the 256kbps downloads on iTunes has improved greatly, but I still won't buy them. I vote with my wallet, but the vast majority of people really don't care about sound quality, and it is that majority that has most of the buying power. How do we change the sonic preferences of 20 million U.S. teenagers?
All that said, a lot of serious musicians make sure their music is available for lossless download somewhere on the 'net, consider Total Control's Henge Beat. Very edgy garage punk/synth pop; a lesser known Australian band made a very specific decision to release their album on the internet, and made sure a lossless version was available on allmusic.com, along with downloadable artwork so you could make your own CD jewel case. Of course that specific download is no longer available...and yes I have a lossless copy!

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New music being released only on download is fine with me. I rarely buy new music. I'm 59 yrs old and I primarily listen to jazz. There are so many jazz recordings that I still don't have from the 1940's thru 2010. It will be another 40 years before I discover all of the older jazz recordings that I have yet to hear....so, I'm all set. Every thing that I want to listen to is already either on a cd or a vinyl record.
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My CD still sounds better than my server. And my server sounds awesome (JRiver 17 w/JPlay, ESI Juli@, Esoteric G25U/Berkeley DAC). The Esoteric X03Se/G25U/Berkeley sounds better. (I an running 30 feet spdif cable which may be a factor, though).

So many distortions, so little time. Nonoise: "Better PC
Audio is just around the corner...". Microsoft, Mac...etc,
are NOT interested in the AUDIOPHILE business- or Music
business. There is no plans on the table for "RESEARCH",
"DEVELOPMENT" in the "SOFTWARE" department of Computer Audio. Other Audio Formats have had a history of Research,
and development. Software development for Computer Audio in
Operating Systems is non-existent. These Manufacturers are
strictly in the Information business, not the Music business. You have no Advocate in Software development for
Computer Audio. If Major Manufacturers won't even support development of Computer Audio Format, you don't have a
Format. Realmo: "Petty officer, yes lots of New Artists are only available via MP3 download". Nice try in distracting from the fact of Tens of Thousands of CD Selections are currently out of print. Bizarre that they
all remain available for sale on i-Tunes. "Vast Majority of
people really don't care about Sound Quality". The best
fable to boost profit at your expense. You would have to accept that people generally don't care about quality in
anything. That they are desperately seeking the lowest quality anything at a higher price. I don't see people
rushing to the market demanding to pay double of what is
on the price tag. I am having a hard time trying to apply
this same bizarre scenario to Products that produce Sound
Quality. It is a fable from Manufacturers, to benefit
Manufacturers, to benefit their Profit at your expense.
Such convenience must surely be by accident, and not by design. Am I also supposed to buy that the Earth really is flat after all? Sorry, you are not picking my pocket for that one- or any other conveniently profitable fable. We
instinctively demand lower value (Quality), and demand to
pay double/triple for it with Computer Audio? Yet, with
other Audio Formats we do the inverse? I wonder why? People
have a self interest in promoting the Format they like best, by eliminating the competition with Fable/Rook/ or by
Crook!. Give me more than one Audio Format for competitions
sake- That is what I am trying to promote. I am not promoting a single exclusive Format here for New Music- or any Music!!! Lower Quality in many things is something this
economy cannot afford; because, it can only lead to lower
acceptable Quality in everything. This creates severely
harmful Recessions, and Depressions. This is NOT CONVENIENT at all for you! Continuously lower the bar, it
will eventually strangle you- and any hope for economic recovery. What a waste, choice is yours. Results are on your head.