PS Perfect Wave Trans/DAC versus Meridian 808.2

Actually Levy03, the future will be in network-based audio as opposed to “computer audio.” PS Audio is really making strides in this direction. You won’t need a computer at all when you connect the Bridge to your network. This is a totally different animal than a CD player. The 808.2 may very well be among the best CD players on the market today, but once high end servers become more mainstream even the great CD players will seem obsolete.

If you think, “this is what they said about turntables,” then you’re making the wrong analogy. Analog is analog, digital is digital. Analog continues to progress via refinements in technology and will likely continue to do well for some time (indefinitely??); but digital is progressing as well, and the direction it is heading is network server based.

Until they can figure out how to pull analog music from an LP other than a turntable, the turntable is the solution. This is not true with digital - "they” already have figured out how to convey digital music without the CD player. The CD itself is still relevant because they are still the primary source for obtaining digital music files. Let me tell you though, if you haven’t experienced hi-res playback (96k x 24 or higher), then you haven’t experienced the true potential of digital playback (CDs by design are limited to 16/44). Furthermore, DSD is still very promising for the future of network systems (and THAT will be very exciting).

My2cents.
Ben

Rufipennis - Thanks for the Ayre tip. Good to know of another option while waiting for the network server stuff to come on line.

you're right Ben, that's what i meant to say...."network based audio". this illustrates how little i know about the stuff. gimme a box that just does it! =)

agree 100% regarding a well done hi-res recording. have purchased a few Ref Recordings and managed to burn a few hi-res dvd's myself. 96/24 to 192/24 (some good 88/24 as well)....it's a huge leap forward for digital imho. truly phenomenal.

Gammajo, the PS Audio Bridge, for the PWD will be available starting end of this month so it's pretty much here. Being able to have your entire music library in the palm of your hand is so much better than looking for a disc to play it's not even close. Once you've have a streaming media library you'll look at playing cd's as so limiting. BTW if you have the coin and really want to go the Meridian route, my advise would be to do it as a combo with a Sooloos music server, that would be the killer system again if you have the $$$$. That you give you the best of all worlds.

Erkminer
Thank you for the advice. I will be eager to hear the response to the Bridge. I confess that I do like cruising through discs for what I feel like playing better than toggling through my Ipod (lossless) but that will probably be shed in favor of high res.