Computer Audiophile

Don't feel alone. Computers are a deadly medium for music, at least to me. I know of others who feel different.

What puts me off is the complexity of it all. At the end of the day it has evolved over time with no coherent strategy or design (IMHO)to be quite a buggers muddle as opposed to a fantastic solution. I feel for companies like Naim trying to work through the minefield of flacs, wavs, nas, unpnp's and so on. Me I find it easier to press the door button on the cd player and then press play.

The only good thing about computer audio is the ability to try before you buy.

So you hear a decent piece of music on radio.

Braodcaster says you heard walter scrommet and the budweiser kings.

You tube and there is the band playing live somewhere.

Yup i like em.
#
So odff to buy cd/vinyl.

Just like the old booths in record shops in the 60 70 80s. sort of. otherwise sound quality is poor and prone to drop outs and bits missing.

I also like to have a collection of cds vinyl and dvds.

David

Computer audio is very new and still very much a wild west. I can appreciate that for those who are not familiar with computer audio it *is* very complex, but for those of us who have grown up with computers it couldn't be more natural. I also find the arguments regarding sound quality to be pointless; if you want sound quality go to a live concert.

quote:

Originally posted by floid:
A Question is it me or does the whole download culture leave you cold as it does me. I have tried all the various bit rates and still find the production of music to be cold no where near the reproduction of Vinyl or CD. I consider that I have a good set up but still prefer the sound from CD players and Turntables. I recently put a selection of CD's on my imac and feel that it was a total waste of time. Maybe i'm missing something

You are definitely not alone. I am sure I read an article in the paper today that showed the growth in downloads is slowing significantly, CDs have reduced In total a little but vinyl LPs are still growing fast - albeit from a low base.
Simon

I recently invested in a headphones-setup.
I tested my AppleTV, iPod, laptop and 19 year old Denon DCD-1560 CD-Player, build like a tank.

All connected by TOSlink or S/PDIF to a CA DACmagic and listening through a MF M1 HPA and Grado SR-325is' and Shure SRH840's.

To my surprise the CD player still sounded best!

I find it very easy to browse my whole music collection on my iPad and press play

Computer audio when done properly doesn't have to be difficult and is capable of superb sound quality. Give it a proper try.

James

quote:

Originally posted by Naijeru:
Computer audio is very new and still very much a wild west.

I have been using computer audio since the late 80s when I was with the BBC briefly. It's been around a long time - if you call 25 years a long time. I think the big change is that the Market has expanded from pro into consumer and because China can bang the stuff out at rock bottom prices it's adoption by the good old consumer has hugely increased. But it's hardly very new, it's just more prevalent and accessible to Joe public.
Simon

It all depends on the quality you put in it. Bad recordings will give bad playback. With my NAS, Logitech Transporter(UnitiServe on it's way) and NDac, my set sounds better then ever before.

Turntables are still very great to listen to. It's all more organic...

quote:

Computer audio when done properly

Translation : HDX or UnitiServe

My LP12 and CDS2 don't get much use since installing the UnitiServe + nDAC.

I've downloaded some hi-res FLACs from sites like 2L and Analekta, and they certainly don't leave me cold.

Could it be the lack of a physical object that taints our perception of the music ? After living with the UnitiServe for several months, I far prefer playback with a monitor attached. Just to be able to see the progression of the track and changes in album covers brings back a bit of the physicality and real-time interaction with the music.

quote:

Translation : UnitiServe or HDX

Plenty of ways to get good results. That's the easy way though with the added reassurance of a glowing green logo

atm, too overwhelming, too many variables and too confusing for this computer illiterate.

IME, a properly setup PC with a high quality audio card (RME, Juli@, Lynx) or a well-made USB-to-SPDIF converter (Halide Bridge, HiFace EVO, etc.) connected to the Naim DAC (or one of its high-end competitors) can produce remarkable sound quality.

For those of you who feel left cold, it might be interesting to hear what you have actually tried. Anyone who, for example, simply connected a PC's built-in analog outs directly into a preamp is bound to be disappointed.

Unfortunately, it is a fact that to get to a "properly set up" PC as your source takes some effort. But if you give it an honest effort (e.g., by following the step-by-step instructions available on computeraudiophile dot com), the rewards can be considerable.

Hook

Very well said Hook.

James

Transporter -> nDAC -> 252 -> 300 -> S-600 = Audio paradise IMO

quote:

Originally posted by ghook2020:
Unfortunately, it is a fact that to get to a "properly set up" PC as your source takes some effort. But if you give it an honest effort (e.g., by following the step-by-step instructions available on computeraudiophile dot com), the rewards can be considerable.

That initial learning curve and set up relies on the end users ( or by a computer savvy dealer )

This whole thing is def. not as straight forward as say, getting a piece of CD player.

quote:

Originally posted by james n:
Very well said Hook.

James

+1

It isn't that complicated and the results/£ are far better than any CDP. There has been a lot of misinformation and general chaff thrown up in some quarters at times, to make it sound more complex than it is.
Joe

quote:

It isn't complicated and the results/£ are far better than any CDP.

Not if you've already got a CDP it ain't.

Simple ? I don't remember 300+ threads on how to put a CD in a CDP!

I listen to ripped CD's on iPod, iPad, Digital Transport Docked iPod, laptop, laptop to transport, AppleTV to Naim on headphones, speakers and in the car. MP4 and ALAC. I can use the iPad in most occassions as a controller. Powerfull and ease of use, because I have my complete CD-collection at my fingertips.

Yet I just miss my beautiful CD5x... (obviously I do not own a Naim DAC)

PS. I forgot to mention I used a Squeezebox Duet at first

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:

Simple ? I don't remember 300+ threads on how to put a CD in a CDP!

Don't be a pedant H, there are more than that on cable dressing.

Pretty much the same amount of chaff too.

Joe

quote:

Computers are a deadly medium for music, at least to me. I know of others who feel different.

Not to say that all modern music is recorded and mastered on computers and then slightly degraded by studio DAC while recording to vinyl master pressing...

Not to mention that a human will hardly capture a turn ON/OFF of professional studio ADC-DAC chain...

quote:

Originally posted by AMA:
Not to mention that a human will hardly capture a turn ON/OFF of professional studio ADC-DAC chain...

Pardon?

CD and Vinyl are simple.

For a CD player you need CDs
For a Turntable you need records.

It does not appear to be that simple for digital/ streaming. In addition, there are so many uncompressed formats. How do you know which one is best.

Now I am not completely writing off computer audiophile. In fact I use an iPod when away from home or travelling. However, using at home and I would always feel that I am not getting the best because of the hardware options and playback options. Also, I am not prepared to sit around loading stuff onto a computer/ server numerous times to see what uncompressed format sounds the best.

Now I know the above might sound silly, but I am sure there are many others who have a similar thinking.

Regards,

Nick

So if I have a nice collection of ALAC files, can I stream them to my unitiqute?

If I have a bunch of WAV files in my itunes library , can I add album artwork?

Can I play flac files in my itunes library?

Just wondering? If I could it would help me a lot.

ok I have an imac going into a Beresford DAC via uSB cable into Linn Kairn and LK100 Aiff files. Still does not sound as good as my CD5. Am I doing something wrong