Is computer audio a bust?

I was on who went through the cassette era recording much of my vinyl to cassettes. Then I found reel to reel trounced the cassette, so the cassettes went away and I recorded the lp's again. Then the cd era came and I was happy I didn't have to record the lp's again.. Now another change comes, computer audio. So much to learn, so many manufactures, so many different ways to make mistakes until I get it right. Not me. I'll pass. Getting to old to go through all of the trouble of starting a new format collection. I'll just play the lp's and cd's.

To summarize the two primary objections to hard drive based audio, 1) it's too hard to insert a CD into a computer drive and click on the import icon and 2) I'm old and don't see the point of learning anything new.

If #2 is your go to reason, then at least it offers the possibility that you're happy with your existing setup. Why fix what's not broken. But if #1 is the reason, then how did you manage to get on the internet and post a response in this forum?

I'm with you Abucktoweighty, I have come close to chucking my computer audio setup since my files don't sound as I would like.

As far as Audioengr's statement that "Computer Audio is no different than CD players." Yes, there is a wide range of quality in both, but the implementation in no way compares and that's where computer audio loses fans.

My puter audio is a jukebox and I pick the genre(s) and it plays awesome music while I read or just listen for fun. BUT, for critical listening, vinyl, cd or sacd.

Because USB and networked streaming is new to most manufacturers, the majority of them use off-the-shelf USB modules from one or two third-parties rather than designing their own. The performance is therefore limited to how good these OEM Modules are. I have evaluated some of these and IME, they are fairly poor as a rule.

Steve, but I thought you are using one of those third-party off-the-shelf modules in your current products too, thought with improved clocking and power supplies?

The experience you have with computer audio is therefore completely a function of the manufacturer/designer that you choose. Choose the right one and you will dump the CDP.

As I've wrote many times on these forums, I have done very extensive work when it comes to computer audio, including an external linear power supply for it. Not only 12V like for MacMini, but everything is linear, even the standby power supply. I am running Server 2012 R2 with Audio Optimizer, JRiver, JPLAY and Foobar. My MacBook Pro runs Audirvana that I feel is the best audio playback for Mac, after trying everything else available for iOS.

Still my digital transport is better - it is richer, more extended top to bottom, more refined and silky smooth. This is, to my ears, much closer to my reference vinyl setup that is amongst the best money can buy.

The computer audio is very convenient, but it takes lots of knowledge to make it sound even close to a well designed disc spinner.

Jut my two cents as usual.

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi