Bombaywalla - I am familiar with all of those connections you mention and in fact own two of them (I have a usb-spdif converter and a docking device - which you'll see I mention in my rant). They are too complex, require research to unearth and I am seeing the direct effects with family members who simply don't use them.
Just to step back, this follows the typical exchange between more tech saavy audio enthusiasts and naysayers (like myself). The naysayers make the argument that modern transport devices like the ones I list are not user friendly, which inhibits their acceptance. Tech enthusiasts reply that the naysayers simply need to do more research and buy the right devices and that the naysayers are stupid. My response is that I've done a lot of research (which most people simply won't do), bought some of the devices, and they are unwieldy and discouraging for users.
This is a marketing issue for audio. A cardinal sin in marketing is to see non-acceptance of a product and blame it on the consumer's stupidity and ignorance. My post detailled how non-acceptance is in fact motivated by an overarching defect in the product. Connectivity is most definitely a problem.
Just to step back, this follows the typical exchange between more tech saavy audio enthusiasts and naysayers (like myself). The naysayers make the argument that modern transport devices like the ones I list are not user friendly, which inhibits their acceptance. Tech enthusiasts reply that the naysayers simply need to do more research and buy the right devices and that the naysayers are stupid. My response is that I've done a lot of research (which most people simply won't do), bought some of the devices, and they are unwieldy and discouraging for users.
This is a marketing issue for audio. A cardinal sin in marketing is to see non-acceptance of a product and blame it on the consumer's stupidity and ignorance. My post detailled how non-acceptance is in fact motivated by an overarching defect in the product. Connectivity is most definitely a problem.