Is this website about "computer" audio anymore?

[jabbr]

45 minutes ago, sandyk said:

 

This is exactly the point.

Far too many like yourself ignore the experiences of numerous other members in other areas of the forum, and consider them as purely anecdotal, and believe that any old laptop or desktop in standard guise, even a purpose built Server, results in exactly the same audio quality when exported to an affordable DAC.

You also refuse to accept the experiences of many members with different USB cables, improved PSUs and clocking etc. and regard them as nothing more than EXPECTATION Bias.

Correct ?

 

With a properly implemented network any crappy old PC streaming to an optimized streamer will function as well as any “bespoke” PC assuming the PC has enough horsepower — 

 

prove me wrong

[jabbr]

2 hours ago, sandyk said:

 I wasn't talking about an optimised streamer. You appear to believe that most members feel the need to stream Audio through the whole house, at the control of a remote button push..

 This may apply to many of the frequent posters, but I doubt that it applies to the general readership..

 Many simply want high quality audio directly from a PC or Laptop into a decent DAC, without having to rummage through numerous CDs etc. stored in the " mancave" or wherever.

 This is possibly the point the OP was trying to make ?

 

I'm not telling anyone what they have to do, rather making a statement about an PC server, and in the larger context, discussing they way I (and others) have found to organize one's media in a central location, searchable without rummaging, nor loading CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays etc, and accessible for listening or viewing, not only in a "mancave" but both around the house as well as wherever you are.

 

In 2018, computers and computer audio, mean computers connected by networks, and audio over networks. The isolated non-networked PC of today is essentially the same as the CD player of 1984 (or whenever those archaic times were  )

 

The OP wants to talk about computers (and by extension networks), right?

 

But by all means use whatever media you prefer ?‍♂️

[jabbr]

1 hour ago, Teresa said:

 

Hey, I'm a subjectivist audiophile / music lover and I would still be using the built-in DAC in my Mac Mini plugged directly into my pre-amp using a Monster Cable mini stereo to R+L RCA cable if Apple would have included DSD playback. They didn't so I had to get a Teac DSD DAC instead for DSD music files. I am most interested in SACD and DSD. 

 

Apple has targeted the convenience/quality ratio toward maximal uptake, and is perhaps singlehandedly responsible for popularizing (not creating) moving songs off of plastic discs and onto computers/ipods as well as the ability to purchase and download songs (at the time Amazon had already (largely) killed off stores that sell CDs.

 

So the mini can be either a music server or streamer, likewise the mac book either a server,streamer or controller.

Airplay, Airport Express, Mac Mini etc etc etc maybe not the very first, but brought it to the masses.

 

https://www.wired.com/1996/12/esgage/

[jabbr]

15 hours ago, sandyk said:

 

What part can't you understand about a large percentage of members not needing " a properly implemented network" and only needing  a means to access a large number of music files without the inconvenience of physical media  ?

 

Alex,

 

I really have no problem nor criticism for anyone who wants to plug in a DAC to a laptop and just listen -- in fact I often plug a portable DAC into my iphone and listen with IEMs -- what I am addressing is the meme being spread about needing a "special" high priced server to get the best SQ, and have provided many examples and instructions of ways to use off the shelf PCs and hardware to get great SQ -- network isolation is part of that, but again if you or anyone else are happy with your laptop and DAC then no problem (and there shouldn't be). I am suggesting that instead of ripping apart your PC and replacing with a network of DC power cables and LPS and special clocks, that you or anyone can use a bog standard PC and a proper network (perhaps fiber).

 

Now, for you or anyone who wants to build your own LPS, more power to you! I think building DIY LPS is terrific. I'm addressing my comments more to folks who aren't inclined to build their own LPS (or who understand the differences between different LPS schematics) and instead of investing $1000s in multiple name brand LPS for the PC, I'd say best to instead invest in a proper network and then invest in a good LPS for the audio area e,g, network renderer (lots of examples).

 

That said there's a lot to be said for plugging your USB cable into your battery powered laptop and DAC and just listening.

[jabbr]

1 hour ago, Ralf11 said:

as I said a few days ago, some thought needs to be given to noise generated by the decoder of the WiFi or optical signal, as well as noise generated inside the DAC box itself; then there is the analog output stage of the DAC...

 

Of course. These are all part of a DAC which needs to be designed for audio.

[jabbr]

11 minutes ago, rando said:

I have no doubts @jabbr could make even a Walmart computer functional.  Most here probably could.  It isn't a question likely to hold interest for an interminable amount of time though.  What are you going to do once it's no longer fun to play with.  The kids know better than to get saddled with it.  Seems wasteful to let it sit in the closet until it dies of old age.  Why bother in the absence of a very solid reason for pursuing this when there are more worthy uses of time?

 

Hmmm ... never tried getting a computer at Walmart ?

 

I do think there are many important things that remain to be done here:

 

1) devise a proper input and shielding to a DAC so that it won't be subject to the whims of cables

2) further integration of room/system correction with upsampling

3) along with digital crossover

4) new DAC architectures that ...

5) ... integrate with new amp architectures i.e. ...

6) multichannel

 

Kii, Estelon are in this area