Computer as main source?

[DaveCan]

Lots of good info, most I don't understand I guess where I'm at, is I like the actual physical cd when I listen, and have thought that some music that's only available on download ,may require me to get a decent set up one day. I enjoy some internet radio but don't really see needing to ''rip'' my cd's at this time, at least not yet I'm not much of a diy at electronics so it's kind of over my head..

Is it still worth getting a good cd player, or is it more frugal nowadays to put the money into the ''new way'' of doing things? I would still want the ''new way '' to be able to play my disc's physically with a very high level of sq..

Is there a simple computer music system for idiots guide, without all the tech speak that could get er done for various price levels?
Dave

[DaveCan]

What do you all think of the Scott Nixon stuff?. I like that the dac's are tubed, and that he's been in business since 1984 modding cd players and stuff.

Also is there a way to output more than 2volts from the computer to my amp?
Dave

[wakibaki]

The computer is also entirely capable of playback from the CD, although the drive is often noisier than a hard drive, and disks sometime are unbalanced and buzz, and the playback software options are more constrained.

You say you are very concerned about sound quality.

Why not buy or borrow a pair of Shure in-ear phones (although if you borrow them you will at least require replacement disposable buds). These are widely regarded as being very revealing even in the more modestly priced units. Sennheiser are also highly regarded. You may find the in-ear style not entirely your cup of tea, but you will almost certainly find the experience interesting, and you may like them a great deal.

You could take a favourite well-known CD and play it on different friends' or colleagues' computers and listen direct to the headphone outlet. This would give you some insight into what computers are capable of as raw sources.

w

[wakibaki]

Originally posted by DaveCan
Also is there a way to output more than 2volts from the computer to my amp?
Dave

There may be more than one output (Line, Headphone), one of which which may offer a higher voltage, but computers and soundcards are too diverse to give a definitive answer without more details. Other than that the answer is:- whatever it puts out is what it puts out.

You could try a different soundcard, different computer, or inline amplifier.

w

[DaveCan]

Originally posted by wakibaki


There may be more than one output (Line, Headphone), one of which which may offer a higher voltage, but computers and soundcards are too diverse to give a definitive answer without more details. Other than that the answer is:- whatever it puts out is what it puts out.

You could try a different soundcard, different computer, or inline amplifier.

w

Thanks, my amp needs 2.3volts for full output so that would be something I'd need to factor in..

So this is my basic understanding for a computer front end:

Learn to put your music on the computer or retrieve it with the highest unaltered method possible.

Connect the best DAC you can afford and output that to your amp..

Not sure if thats right or not?

Dave

[alleycat]

Dave, don't get too hung up on all the jargon. Basically the way it works is that you put a CD into your computer and it will play. While it's playing however, it will get automatically stored in your computer at the same time. You won't need to take your CD out of its cover again - the next time you want to play it you will be able to just select it from a list on the computer screen, like a jukebox. The computer audio output can be plugged straight into your amp, no problems. Everything will become clear to you once you try it.

[DaveCan]

Thanks alleycat..

It does all seem complicated, guess one just has to get learning...

Last night I bought a ticket for The Who charity auction of a 1965 VW, all done up and signed by the surviving members of the band. With the purchase of a ticket, you got a free mp3 download of a unreleased Magic Bus song from 2007. Anyhow I downloaded it and it played, then I had to go out and there is no way I can find it on the computer now.. It said it was downloading to Desktop, it would seem that for me computer and music = much complication
Dave

[audiosteve]

I have tried using USB as a digital audio source, which many people do, and find the sound is not as good as SPDI/F.
I am now using a Dell Latitude laptop with a docking station. The docking station has a SPDI/F out which I send, using a Neutrik SPDI/F to AES-EBU transformer adapter, to the AES input of a Grace 902 DAC/Headphone amp. BTW, the Grace also has a variable line put which I also feed to a power amp and speakers (Tripath, Jordan). This rig sounds great to me. I'm using foobar for my media player on the computer. If you have a Dell laptop this seems like a pretty good way to go. The docking stations are available on E-bay in the $20 to $40 range. How far you want to take it from there re players and drivers in the computer is up to you. But, IMHO, SPDI/F out to a good DAC is an excellent and necessary first step on your journey towards audio nirvana.