[chgolatin2]

I've been hearing alot about pc audio and many claim that in the future pc audio will be considered the next best thing in the audiophile world, curious about all of this.  Any thoughts?

[zybar]

It's already here!   aa

many of us have switched to PC audio for superior sound AND ease of use.

Why don't you spend some time reading the various threads in the Square Circle to get an idea of where things are currently at and where it may be going.

George

[GHM]

And I thought I was late to the party.
Yeah..it is already here.

[lcrim]

A few years ago, it was the new, next best thing.  I'm always surprised to read posts asking for a recommendation for a CD player.

[acd483]

In total agreement. Why would anyone spend thousands on an expensive CD player when they can have it all with a little Mac Mini and a great DAC?

[JLM]

Even computer dummies like me should be able to handle an Olive music server for $900.  A Squeeze Box 3 (SB3) is only $300, but needs a PC to function.  Either way you have arm chair convenience (full control of the system) plus internet audio streaming with wireless connections.  And if thats enough sources for you, no pre-amp is required.

For under $2k you can get a fully modded SB3 with great power supply and a couple of big hard drives that will deliver world best sound and store a 1,000 CDs worth of music.  For $300 more you can pump all that music to a 2nd location in the house with another stock SB3.  How's a pair of Mackie 824 (active studio monitors) plus SB3 for under a grand for a simple/small/powerful/convenient 2nd system?

[kfr01]

PC audio is my only source.  PC --> PS Audio Digital Link III USB DAC --> Preamp, etc.

I can't see ever going back.

[Haoleb]

While i dont think PC audio will take over the mainstream audiophile world, it certainly is a perfectly acceptable way to enjoy music!

Most of the time Im listening to music its from my computer, Having over 15,000 tracks at the click of a button, and being able to listen to anything i feel like at the time cant be beat. I dont use this for any serious listening but while i am at the computer or just want some background music its my source of choice. If i decide to sit down and really listen, then its the cdp or TT.

[Double Ugly]

While i dont think PC audio will take over the mainstream audiophile world,...

I'm not sure I could disagree more. 

When done right, it compares favorably with (and is usually better than) any conventional digital rig I've ever heard, regardless of price.  The days of the CDP are numbered IMHO.

Modified Slim Devices Transporter --> Amplifiers --> Speakers; I've had no better sound in my system.

-Jim

[Haoleb]

While i dont think PC audio will take over the mainstream audiophile world,...

I'm not sure I could disagree more. 

When done right, it compares favorably with (and is usually better than) any conventional digital rig I've ever heard, regardless of price.  The days of the CDP are numbered IMHO.

Modified Slim Devices Transporter --> Amplifiers --> Speakers; I've had no better sound in my system.

-Jim

Very true. But theres just something about interacting with the music I think alot of us enjoy. The physical interaction of putting on a record or flipping through a cd booklet and while it can be imitated by software, cannot parallel the real deal.... Or maybe I'm just old fashioned 

[aerius]

Very true. But theres just something about interacting with the music I think alot of us enjoy. The physical interaction of putting on a record or flipping through a cd booklet and while it can be imitated by software, cannot parallel the real deal.... Or maybe I'm just old fashioned 

It's like reading a book.  Sure I could find an online text somewhere and read it on my computer screen or PDA, but I'd much rather go to the library and borrow an actual physical book made from dead trees.

[Double Ugly]

Very true. But theres just something about interacting with the music I think alot of us enjoy. The physical interaction of putting on a record or flipping through a cd booklet and while it can be imitated by software, cannot parallel the real deal.... Or maybe I'm just old fashioned 

It's like reading a book.  Sure I could find an online text somewhere and read it on my computer screen or PDA, but I'd much rather go to the library and borrow an actual physical book made from dead trees.

I hear what you're saying.  However, to make the analogy more aligned with my experience, library books wouldn't be free.  In fact, the cost of books matching or exceeding the quality of the on-line version would be in the latter 4-digit/early 5-digit range (as in $10k or more).  Even the cheapest Cliffs Notes would cost hundreds of dollars, with some exceeding $1k.

There is no right or wrong; to each his or her own, whatever makes you happy, etc., etc., and I mean that.  All too often, folks presume to know what others want, hear, or need better than the "others" themselves.  Personally, I'm all about getting the cleanest, clearest, most musical presentation I can afford and still call it a hobby.  If I can match or exceed the performance of a "best" conventional digital rig for a fraction of the cost, I'm more than willing to give up the experience of putting a CD into a CDP. 

I'm funny that way. 

-Jim

[lonewolfny42]

I like putting a CD into a CDP....it's good exercise.

[JohninCR]

I like putting a CD into a CDP....it's good exercise.

I prefer sexercise.  Music is for listening only (not considering videos).  Any added tasks are an inconvenience, interruption of the music, and waste of time.  For those who enjoy the hobby of organizing, cleaning, and searching through their physical collections, more power to them, but that's too much like stamp collecting to me.

[dewar]

I'm very tempted to go the pc route mainly for the EQ and crossover software that can be run.Whats holding me back is that I only have a noisy laptop and the only external hard drive I owned was quite noisy.

Can you get silent computers and external hd's? otherwise i'd have to put the pc in another room which might be too much exercise for me.

Also, how many hard drives and how much would they cost to store 800 albums?

thanks

bevan

do you guys keep backup copies on cd? i'm scared or a disk crashing and loosing half my collection

[1000a]

My PC is definitly in another room-it was anyway, it is nice if its down the hall or not to far away- but I do not really spend anytime with the PC when I am listening to music, everything I need is in the remote!!  It is incredible, less wires, less shelves, less stuff, less money, more music. better sound unless your are very very well healed.

I just got a SB3 about 2 weeks ago, next best thing - no it is the best thing (to ever happen to the little silver disk with a few upgrades to the SB)  unless you a have min of 3,500.++++ and up for a CDP.  There is no beating its sound IMO, maybe at 5,000-10,000 today (and that is already a hot debate for the super tweeked SBs) but will it stay that way I doubt it.  With a good DAC and a good PS it is very very nice and I have not even sent my SB3 in for upgrades.  

SB3 300./Welborne PS 300./used Birdland DAC 550./2 ext. HDs 300.= 1,450  
This gives me space for about 1400 CDs, excellent sound best I've had and 10,000 radio sations spaning the globe.  I am keeping my CDs and can read and enjoy the liner notes as I always have after I am done listening, but now I can store all that mess a long way from my listening room.

Never going back to a CDP, unless Logitec or some other big corporation screws it all up like so many of them are incredibly superb at doing.

I am so grateful - I just learned about this whole thing in the last few months, been tolerating a Toshisba 3960 and my DAC since my Phillips CD960 died.  Had numerous itchs to buy an upgraded Jolida 100a CDP, really really glad I did not.  Now if all my CDs sounded as good as my Patrica Barber CDs I'd sell my TT!    No problem  

[1000a]

Have not looked into the EQ thing yet but gee it would be nice to try and improve on some of the Rock CDs the griedy corporations shoved out the door, my God as good as Pat Barber's stuff sounds I am amazed at some of the earlier rock releases they must have worked really hard to screw em up worse than the vinly which preceded it.  I can't loose EQing them, as for vinyl to the HDs I'm not up on that stuff yet.

Still just trying to get my CDs on to the HDs.

[eric the red]

you guys make me want to sell my apollo, burn all my discs on a HD and sell my cds for vinyl money. I may have some really stoopid questions soon regarding the SB3

[Folsom]

I use a SqueezeBox3 and honestly anything else is a waste of your time for digital. The only thing I could ask for is SACD/HDCD/etc and that stuff to become rippable and transportable, decodable etc...

The only other thing I am down with right now is Vinyl.

[Double Ugly]

I may have some really stoopid questions soon regarding the SB3

There's no such thing, ETR.  We've all been there, done that.

-Jim