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Post by ChrisB on Jul 30, 2015 7:15:07 GMT
I'm interested in finding out just how much of a grip computer audio has got on us, so I've set up a little poll.
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Post by Clive on Jul 30, 2015 7:26:04 GMT
I use 2 record decks (mono and stereo) and computer / dac. Pretty much eqivalent in sound and ceremony....becasuse I use Bug Head on the computer.
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Post by zippy on Jul 30, 2015 7:28:29 GMT
Sorry to be thick here, but what are we classing as 'computer based' ?
I have all my music files stored on a PC, and streamed to a Cyrus StreamX2 - is this within your definition or are you only counting a setup where the PC/Laptop connects directly into a DAC/Amp ?
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Post by John on Jul 30, 2015 7:31:28 GMT
I been into computer Audio for a good few years now but in the last 2 months the performance level has improved mainly due to upgrading the RAM on my PC so I can use Bug Head in professional mode. But I do think I am still probably in the minority
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 30, 2015 7:44:00 GMT
I'd count any sort of streamer as a computer
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Post by Stratmangler on Jul 30, 2015 10:17:02 GMT
I've been using Squeezeboxes for ages. It's interesting to see the rest of the world catch up with respect to streaming. I have given up on ripping DVD and Bluray discs as it takes up enormous amounts of HDD space - it's easier to just play the disc.
Main sources here are TT, Squeezebox and TV/Bluray.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2015 11:45:19 GMT
Computer streaming for close to 10 years and the main source for the last 2 years.
Still use CD and Vinyl but to no where near the same degree
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Post by Sovereign on Jul 30, 2015 11:59:51 GMT
I used to be a CD player only listener, due to me working in the states for a short period, I had a break from Hifi. When I got back from the states I had to start again, as a way of getting going I decided to invest most of the money into speakers and an amp and use the lap top I already had as a source with Dacmajic. All sounded pretty good. A couple of years later I bought a an Audiolab MDAC which was good and I had it upgraded by John Westlake, it was the first modded MDAC and that mod was soon called the Sovereign Upgrade (on PFM I was suddenly famous ;-)) I loved the dac but there was still a harsh edge to the music that I could never place as to where it was coming from. On PFM people were having the Sovereign upgrade in their droves and were claiming this dac to be on the cutting edge of design and the best dac in the world. So I thought The harsh edge to my hi-fi must be coming from somewhere else surely if I owned the best DAC in the world . There's a guy on audio Chews called Brumjam and he had made his own DAC and it was called the DDDAC , I desperately wanted to give this ago as I've never made something like this before and I only needed about £300 to get me started , but I was so incredibly reluctant because I thought surely this thing is going to sound crap compared to what I have now , but it was the DIY itch that I really wanted to scratch and it just happened to be a DAC that I was going to start off with as it was right there in front of me , I lashed the DDDAC together and I was completely amazed that that hard edge was a digital hard edge and that had now been completely removed from my system , with the new DDDAC, And I knew that I was hooked , not just on this new DAC but it was the DIY bug that I had also got me. Since then I have put another £1200 into the DIY DDDAC and upgraded it considerably, and of course better performance followed the upgrades and modifications. With the convenience of computer-based music and the outstanding sound that it can produce I can't see myself going to any other source
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 30, 2015 12:07:13 GMT
When I get the time to get around to it I'll have a go
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Post by AlanS on Jul 30, 2015 12:50:26 GMT
I am increasingly putting time and effort into getting the best from a Pi and IQAudio DAC+. Interesting a ripped CD sounds better than the CD through the CD drive and certainly a lot less hassle. So I reckon I'm in transition between 1 and 2
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Post by tony on Jul 30, 2015 15:45:39 GMT
I started from a Naim cd player bought a squeeze box and really started scratching my head as to why the cheap streamer sounded better to my ears. I now use a cheap lap top/usb/caiman. Havent looked back-I keep my set up simple as computers boil my piss.....
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Post by Chris on Jul 30, 2015 16:01:47 GMT
iPad/iPod touch > Bluetooth > amp. Usually with Spotify or Deezer on the go. CDs from time to time.
Does that count as computer based?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2015 18:40:39 GMT
Computer to rip and run Logitech Media Server, 2GB Synology NAS drive, and a Transporter Special Edition. All networked with CAT6 cabling. Rip using dBpoweramp, which has a verify after ripping mode to compare with other rips that people have done of the same disc. If the rip is Accurate it means that it is bit perfect compared to X other rips on the dBpoweramp database. Then it is all down to the streamer to convert that rip into the highest grade audio possible.
Live stream via Tidal HiFi lossless.
Fairly new to this game - I blame Aurender for getting me into it.
Also have CD player (Tent Labs) and record deck (Garrard 401 in slate plinth) to cope with the large black vinyl collection. So "computer" audio is part of the mix, but is massively versatile.
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Post by native on Jul 30, 2015 19:40:15 GMT
iMac is connected to amp, so main source along with record player. Also have a CD player and B&W Zeppelin, both of which I hardly use. Listen lots on my iPhone when commuting.
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Post by pwiles1968 on Jul 30, 2015 19:56:36 GMT
I was running a Gen1 Apple TV modified with connected HDD in to my Audiolab CDQ, I have recently bought a MacMini that has replaced the TVthe mini is primarily for Music playback using iTunes I can airplay all round the house.
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Post by speedysteve on Jul 31, 2015 18:33:11 GMT
Streamed Spotify for years but not for serious listening. Been PC based flac now for a year or so and have converted over from cd completely. USB -> WaveIO -> Najda dsp / dac (I2S). I think its better than cd and love the convenience
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2015 20:45:47 GMT
I now rely on Ableton DAW for both running studio, i also run the stereo thru it.
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Post by MartinT on Jul 31, 2015 22:30:44 GMT
CD/SACD/DVD-A and vinyl are my primary sources.
Raspberry Pi via Caiman-II DAC is a good secondary source.
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Post by John on Aug 1, 2015 5:51:03 GMT
When I come over I bring the PC and NAD so we can see where PC audio is against the Raspberry Pi and the CD/SACD/DAVD-A is
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Post by jandl100 on Aug 1, 2015 6:31:15 GMT
My main system is now TIDAL streaming > Laptop > DAC > amp > speakers.
I finally got nagged into trying live streaming by an audio buddy --- "Noooo, you don't need all those fancy expensive boxes that other folk endlessly faff around with - just connect a USB cable between your DAC and your laptop". He was right. Totally blown away by the music catalogue on TIDAL - and sounds a tad better than my CD player, too. Sorted. There are a fair few recordings not (yet?) on TIDAL, but I still have the disc spinner for those.
I still love my vinyl - I'm buying charity shop LPs, and some pre-recorded cassettes, too - but pretty much no more CDs.
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