I really like the "internet radio through my PC speaker sound that I'm obtaining from my CAT amps and Soundlab M1PX speakers.
Gesh, generalization about interfaces and suppositions about a technology not yet being mature enough, are just that suppositions and generalizations. In my PC audio experience (as well as audio experiences in general), I've found that these 2-words define conclusions that always prevent one from making really wonderful discoveries.
Based on my satisfaction with the present status of computer audio, perhaps I fell into PC Audio trough that contained the only good hardware, but thats simply not the case!
PC audio and the USB interface are as mature as any other high-end audio playback chain e.g., box vs open baffle speakers, planars, horns, active/passive preamps, no preamps, vinyl, M/M vs M/C cartridges etc .. Will advancements be made in each of these audio niches, you betcha. Should one put off buying one of these niches, because theyre not yet mature enough, no.
Years ago I moved from a Wadia 861 CDP to computer audio and haven't missed a thing sonically. My first USB DAC was a Wavelength Brick Silver. My present DAC is a Wavelength Crimson.
In my system, high definition files (96/24 and above) sound extremely close to vinyl which is being spun on a Galibier turntable, Tri-planar tonearm and a Dynavector XV1s cart. So, from that standpoint, my audio buddy's systems and from many of the rooms at 2012's RMAF, great digital audio (and yes, USB derived) can be had with a little effort and not as much gnashing of teeth as some think, or would have you believe.
With an external HD, a Mac mini, PureMusic, and an iPad, Im enjoying the heck out of my setup and 28,000+ tracks redbook and HDs.
From my current and obvious audio standpoint, my past, present and future state-of-the-art audio software is USB PC audio and vinyl.
Gesh, generalization about interfaces and suppositions about a technology not yet being mature enough, are just that suppositions and generalizations. In my PC audio experience (as well as audio experiences in general), I've found that these 2-words define conclusions that always prevent one from making really wonderful discoveries.
Based on my satisfaction with the present status of computer audio, perhaps I fell into PC Audio trough that contained the only good hardware, but thats simply not the case!
PC audio and the USB interface are as mature as any other high-end audio playback chain e.g., box vs open baffle speakers, planars, horns, active/passive preamps, no preamps, vinyl, M/M vs M/C cartridges etc .. Will advancements be made in each of these audio niches, you betcha. Should one put off buying one of these niches, because theyre not yet mature enough, no.
Years ago I moved from a Wadia 861 CDP to computer audio and haven't missed a thing sonically. My first USB DAC was a Wavelength Brick Silver. My present DAC is a Wavelength Crimson.
In my system, high definition files (96/24 and above) sound extremely close to vinyl which is being spun on a Galibier turntable, Tri-planar tonearm and a Dynavector XV1s cart. So, from that standpoint, my audio buddy's systems and from many of the rooms at 2012's RMAF, great digital audio (and yes, USB derived) can be had with a little effort and not as much gnashing of teeth as some think, or would have you believe.
With an external HD, a Mac mini, PureMusic, and an iPad, Im enjoying the heck out of my setup and 28,000+ tracks redbook and HDs.
From my current and obvious audio standpoint, my past, present and future state-of-the-art audio software is USB PC audio and vinyl.