Is computer audio a bust?

Joecasey - you did realize I was joking about computer audio, sex and marijuana all being obsolete in 5 years, right? :-)

See my follow-up post and you'll see that I consider computer-based audio to not only have a future, but a great future - my setup is an example of how easy and enjoyable it can be.

Right on foster_9.

07-16-14: Foster_9
Agear, many of the posts in this thread clearly demonstrate
the convoluted nature of computer audio, the lack of consensus
on best practices, and some of the reasons computer
audiophiles will remain a niche group within this audiophile
niche group.

I agree 100%. In my optimism, I wanted to see if people had nailed down variables that had the biggest impact on SQ in hopes of understanding better why my audio friends (with good ears and systems) bailed. It was not due to the inherent complexity of computer audio. The SQ of their CDPs was just clearly better. It would be interesting to do a blinded shootout with a unit like the Aesthetix Pandora using either its digital input or the CD section.

Your kidding!, they will not EVER make a $15,950.00 usb cable!, really!, I have a $15,950.00 balnced cable! very incredible sounding to say the least!, state of the art!, computer audio will never reach that point of world class systems, case closed!

I love my computer audio setup and would never consider returning to a CDP. My Mac Mini functions as a server, my iPad is the remote. I run my digital files through a Metrum Octave Mk II DAC. Audirvana takes care of oversampling and processing the music files. Everything runs with little effort -- I'm neither an obsessive nor a master of the computer -- and nary a glitch. I believe that computer audio has reached the point where the marriage of quality and convenience may be compelling even to the most fastidious audiophile. My analog setup still sounds better, but my digital system offers such quality that I listen to it with both great comfort and happy satisfaction.