Mac Mini vs. Vinyl vs. CD

lextek · « **on:** 4 Jan 2015, 09:55 pm »

This is just a curiosity of sorts. Folks that have computer based systems that also have a turntable and/or CD player. How do they compare? I'm playing with the idea of "entry level" Pro-Ject Carbon DC table. Lately I've been buying CDs and ripping them to iTunes.

2bigears · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Jan 2015, 10:01 pm »

i have both worlds. the cd's are better on the puter based system. no question. they sound good and are a nice 'hand-shake' ,,,,
a well recorded album and nice TT will be a warm blanket wrapped around you. this is if your room is ready.
the room is a big big part of your sound.

jdbrian · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Jan 2015, 10:12 pm »

For me I find that most entry level analog setups just aren't very good at tracking high level transients and horns in general. That was something that always bothered me when I spun LPs. That and surface noise. Some people don't notice those things and don't really care. Only you know what triggers listening fatigue for you.
In the last few years DACs have improved greatly and the prices for good performance have come down. I'm not sure that's the case with vinyl playing gear.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Jan 2015, 11:15 pm »

I sold off my cd player/transport years ago after adopting a PC front end. The convenience factor, along with better sound, made that decision easy.

I have never been into vinyl. The surface noise and obsessing about yet more gear would be just what I don't need!

Folsom · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 Jan 2015, 11:26 pm »

If only there were more 45rpm. Surface noise is nearly gone at 45rpm, or you don't notice it.

lextek · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Jan 2015, 11:42 pm »

Convenience. Yeah with iTunes and Tidal I don't have to get out of my listening chair/couch. CD I have to get up and load it. Yes I am making fun. Listening to Paul Desmod Quartet on CD now and it sound damn, good.
I get the ritual thing. Picking out an album and playing it on vinyl or disc.

JLM · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Jan 2015, 12:15 am »

Can't stand vinyl surface noise, so dropped it soon after CD's became available.

Computer audio opens the door to high resolution formats, and overall is more convenient, but can easily became maddeningly frustratingly complex and hard to setup/maintain.

kingdeezie · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Jan 2015, 12:30 am »

Make sure that you are ripping your CDs correctly with Itunes. The default setting is compressed. You have to set Itunes to rip to ALAC if you want the best sound quality.

Not to beat this dead horse, but computer audio is better than using a CD transport. But, well done vinyl smokes all.

JLM · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Jan 2015, 01:10 am »

Check out the thread above: "Getting Started ..." from JohnR, a very good step-by-step tutorial when you're ready to start ripping CDs.

mresseguie · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Jan 2015, 01:37 am »

Quote from: JLM on 5 Jan 2015, 01:10 am

Check out the thread above: "Getting Started ..." from JohnR, a very good step-by-step tutorial when you're ready to start ripping CDs.

+1

That is very good information. I read it before I began ripping my CDs - and I'm mighty glad I did.

loving_it · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Jan 2015, 02:13 am »

I thought I could drop vinyl and go digital , I even purchased a decent Dac but my table just has a sound I cant get from a DAC so I decided to keep both

JLM · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Jan 2015, 12:25 am »

Quote from: loving_it on 5 Jan 2015, 02:13 am

I thought I could drop vinyl and go digital , I even purchased a decent Dac but my table just has a sound I cant get from a DAC so I decided to keep both

Limitations of vinyl aside, few would believe that a "decent" DAC could match the best sound quality vinyl can provide.

G Georgopoulos · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Jan 2015, 12:51 am »

Quote from: mresseguie on 5 Jan 2015, 01:37 am

+1

That is very good information. I read it before I began ripping my CDs - and I'm mighty glad I did.

cd and ripped files work better than vinyl...

MtnHam · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Jan 2015, 01:52 am »

It's entirely dependent on the gear in each category being used. I have seen my preference go back and forth as particular components have been changed/upgraded. When every category is optimal, vinyl will still rule. Surface noise on vinyl does not have to be an issue. With my current set-up, it's almost non existent. My two digital sources are superb, but vinyl is still the best (wasn't always so, at least for me.) After having many combos, including a Mac Mini and many fine DAC's, I do not believe a computer/usb cable/DAC is the best way to go. I love my 2 digital sources, and enjoy them greatly. The connivence factor can not be overstated. The Oppo/Modwright player gives me the ability to play CD's (of all formats) from my own collections as well as the ability to enjoy discovery at my local public library which has resulted in many purchases. I respect copyrights. My Lumin NAS player is a delight. I wouldn't give up any of them!

My system: Speakers: SoundLab U-1PX Amps: Ayre KX-R pre, MX-R monos, ARC REF PH2SE phono. Digital:Lumin A-1 NAS Music Sever, Oppo105/ModwrightTruth Player. Analogue: SME 20/2 table, SME V arm, Koetsu Rosewood Signature, Sumiko Celebration. Power&PC's: 3 Dedicated AC lines, Shunyata Triton/ 3 Typhons, and numerous Alpha PC's. IC's: Skywire XLR and speaker cables. Tweeks: Stillpoints Ultra 5's & SS's throughout. 2 LPI's, cable lifters.

MtnHam · « **Reply #14 on:** 7 Jan 2015, 04:57 am »

Quote from: MtnHam on 7 Jan 2015, 01:52 am

It's entirely dependent on the gear in each category being used. I have seen my preference go back and forth as particular components have been changed/upgraded. When every category is optimal, vinyl will still rule. Surface noise on vinyl does not have to be an issue. With my current set-up, it's almost non existent. My two digital sources are superb, but vinyl is still the best (wasn't always so, at least for me.) After having many combos, including a Mac Mini and many fine DAC's, I do not believe a computer/usb cable/DAC is the best way to go. I love my 2 digital sources, and enjoy them greatly. The connivence factor can not be overstated. The Oppo/Modwright player gives me the ability to play CD's (of all formats) from my own collections as well as the ability to enjoy discovery at my local public library which has resulted in many purchases. I respect copyrights. My Lumin NAS player is a delight. I wouldn't give up any of them!

My system: Speakers: SoundLab U-1PX Amps: Ayre KX-R pre, MX-R monos, ARC REF PH2SE phono. Digital:Lumin A-1 NAS Music Sever, Oppo105/ModwrightTruth Player. Analogue: SME 20/2 table, SME V arm, Koetsu Rosewood Signature, Sumiko Celebration. Power&PC's: 3 Dedicated AC lines, Shunyata Triton/ 3 Typhons, and numerous Alpha PC's. IC's: Skywire XLR and speaker cables. Tweeks: Stillpoints Ultra 5's & SS's throughout. 2 LPI's, cable lifters.

I should add that the Mac Mini is as good as most other computer choices, assuming you are running iTunes. If so, there are additional steps that should be followed. HighRez is a whole new game.

lextek · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 Jan 2015, 10:23 am »

Quote from: MtnHam on 7 Jan 2015, 04:57 am

I should add that the Mac Mini is as good as most other computer choices, assuming you are running iTunes. If so, there are additional steps that should be followed. HighRez is a whole new game.

Running Audivarna.

KR500 · « **Reply #16 on:** 7 Jan 2015, 12:12 pm »

I use all 3 formats and enjoy them

mac mini
Rega P3 with Elys cart , Bellari phono preamp ( my favorite tube for this is surprisingly the Sovtek 12AX7LPS )
TASCAM CD ( TEAC ) transport
Schitt DAC

audiventory · « **Reply #17 on:** 9 Jan 2015, 05:45 am »

Computer is enough suitable thing for music listening. There are matter of simple user intefface + remote control of used soft.

Audio streamers is attempt do it. There removed all excess that inside computer.

Audio quality depend on used DAC and software.

LP is other ideology. This is not best (sound quality) source. It has own sound, mechanical ("non virtual") moving parts - it interesting from aesthetic point of view. Same about tape.

G Georgopoulos · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 Jan 2015, 06:10 am »

Quote from: audiventory on 9 Jan 2015, 05:45 am

Computer is enough suitable thing for music listening. There are matter of simple user intefface + remote control of used soft.

Audio streamers is attempt do it. There removed all excess that inside computer.

Audio quality depend on used DAC and software.

LP is other ideology. This is not best (sound quality) source. It has own sound, mechanical ("non virtual") moving parts - it interesting from aesthetic point of view. Same about tape.

Hi audiventory, +1...

lp, it has been researched for decades,it still cant much the quality of std cd,even though i like more lp as a simple technology the fact is cd is better especially at low volume levels...

audiventory · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Jan 2015, 11:40 am »

Hi G Georgopoulos,

Exactly! Low levels is critical point for 16 bit of CD.

Dithering is try keep these low levels from distortions via smoothing to noise floor, but need hard control of energy and spectrum ot dithering noise for achieving good results.

I think low levels inspired SONY and Phillips for developing of DSD in time of expensive 24-bit PCM DAC.

Best regards,
Yuri