2. pc-audio
  3. 1320006647

difference beetwen pc audio and hi-end?

If somebody could write about difference between pc audio sound and for example dcs scarlatti,accuphase or emm labs. If for example dcs has 10 level (the best?) so when somebody who knows this (dcs) sound set pc audio (for example:realtek configuration audio HD)what number give this pc sound?, 3? 4?
I know that this very difficult. But if someone can set pc audio to compare a little with hi-end myabe write here . And if someone (like me) never heard dcs what can he hear the difference. If this difference will large,very large or very very large.Sory for my English. I come from Poland (Ancient Audio).
Thank You
p.s
In many tests in Poland dcs is the best. Is this really truth? It must be very very good system, but for example there are even more expensive systems.
awidyne
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
There is no reason why a competently designed computer audio system (generally Mac, not PC) will not beat the highest end CD player or transport. Competently designed is the key. It is important to pick the right manufacturer. Most of the high-end systems at RMAF now use computer audio, and virtually all of the rooms that get best of show from TAS use computer audio.

It does require that you make some correct decisions along the way however, such as using the right playback software and ripper and a good master clock in the computer interface. As in all digital playback systems, the master clock is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, period.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
pettyofficer
453 posts
 
Didn't DCS write a paper on how to set-up Computer Audio?
Somebody help out here! Awidyne, how much money were you
concidering investing in a System? DCS is some serious
money, but can be done via one of their DAC's-and one of
their transports plus PC Digital Audio Feed. These days you
can have both with many manufacturer's. Just not sure of the continued availability of CD Format for Ripping. I
would make sure that whatever DAC you use, can decode-
16/44.1, 24/48, 24/88.2, 24/96, 24/192, 24/196. You might
eventually want to experiment with High Rez. Downloads.
tom6897's avatar
tom6897
1,029 posts
 
Here is the DCS link.>http://www.dcsltd.co.uk/page/assets/dCS_Guide_to_Computer_Audio.pdf
timlub
1,649 posts
 
Quote:
"There is no reason why a competently designed computer audio system (generally Mac, not PC) will not beat the highest end CD player"
Hi Steve, I noticed in other writings that you prefer MAC and your statement above says "Generally", but are you saying that even if you make all the right moves in PC that it cannot compete with MAC? I've not heard the best of the best on MAC, but what I've heard PC certainly competes. Have I missed something or are you saying subjectively?
pettyofficer
453 posts
 
I am tempted to respond to this, Timlub. My impression is that I-Tunes (MAC) is not so good. Amarra will give PC a
run for its Money. MAC Mini sounds promising, but modifications cost as much as a brand new MAC Mini, if not
more! Why didn't MAC get it right in the first place with
I-Tunes/MAC Mini? Neither were originally designed, in their original versions, for Audiophile Sound Reproduction.
Everyone still swears by them. I am just weary of any
Manufacturer requiring so much modification that you could
build a new device from scratch. So great-but you gotta
radically modify it-Why?
More to discover