2. pc-audio
  3. 1133743568

High End User Interface for PC Audio

In the future, I am sure high end manufactuers will give us the same tweaky, visual and tactile happiness that we enjoy with exotic digital and analogue source devices.

In the meantime, however, one of the things that really disappoints me about PC audio is the cheesey, plasticky feel of surfing through iTunes on a computer, with my Tympanis, ARC and Mark Levinson eyeing me suspiciously from the background.

Indeed, there are times when I almost feel guilty, as if I were pouring cheap wine into a beautiful glass.

So I am wondering: using technology available TODAY, what would you use to upgrade the look and the feel of a hard drive based system, using UNCOMPRESSED files, delivered to the DAC of your choice?

A metal keyboard? laser mouse?

A sexy, HD capable monitor sitting on a coffee table to surf through your digital library?

Wireless technology to increase the - wow this is cool -factor for PC based audio?

Apple Mac G5? (Not a good answer IMO.)

Airport type wireless device? Or USB based device?

Thank you for your ideas.
cwlondon

Showing 4 responses by cwlondon

cwlondon OP
1,198 posts
 
yada

That looks good. Now we are getting somewhere...
cwlondon OP
1,198 posts
 
Maybe I had too much champagne last night, but I am a litte fuzzy on how the sqeezebox works.

Can someone please explain the basics?
Can it be used with iTunes?
cwlondon OP
1,198 posts
 
This is all great and thank you.

I still think we are giant steps away, however, from the look, feel, build quality and high performance luxury of super high end audio components.

Re: "Great wine in a cheap glass" to me, perhaps I should have said that this PC audio stuff feels more like eating foie gras, or rack of lamb, on a paper plate with a plastic fork.

But there is no debate regarding the convenience and the dramatically improved quality of audio that is possible from this format.

Apple is a step in the right direction, but still doesnt really compare to a Rowland or Levinson or Jadis device.

Everything from the PC case itself - whether a "tower" or "home theatre" configuration...to the monitor, to the input devices should go well with our super high end, hand made heavy weight gear.

So please give us more ideas.

Ultimately, I would love to have hundreds of CDs, conveniently archived for "surfing", ripping for the car, or transfer to iPod, all CDs put in storage, then listen only to analogue and SACD when I really feel the need to have a geeked out listening session.

This is the future. High end, although smaller, is not going away, and I am not trading my SCD-1 for a Dell notebook.

Cheers

cwlondon
cwlondon OP
1,198 posts
 
This is all great and thank you everyone.

The mist is clearing a bit here, but I am realizing that I have a habit of sitting in my chair in whatever room, and wanting to have internet access and music 24/7 but without my laptop in my lap (too hot, screen too small, keyboard too cramped) but also without a PC obviously sitting in the room.

So I am wondering if I can

1) incorporate all your suggestions for best audio
2) hide the PC, put in a rack etc.
3)use a wireless keyboard, perhaps with some sort of IR booster device so I can take it around the room like a laptop - or even use it in another room

4) have only very sleek, unobtrusive monitors on a coffee table next to my chairs (but I guess this has to be hard wired?)

When not using the keyboard, I can put it away etc.

This way, the hardware would be much more stylish and discreet, but still somewhat permanently installed near my favorite chairs, no need to plug and unplug laptop, nice big display etc.

But I welcome further comments and suggestions.

cwlondon
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