Quote Originally Posted by pixelthis
THIS is totally wrong.
Flac or other lossless codecs, played through a proper usb DAC or soundcard
can sound every bit as good as a high end CD player.
This is what I am using now, as a matter of fact.
The above statement is coming from the viewpoint that all computer music is cheap MP3
or WMA off of the internet. nothing could be further from the truth.
That is why "music" servers are popping up all over the place, including from Cambridge.
They are nothing more than overpriced computers playing tunes off of a HD.
It doesnt matter if the bitstream comes from a CD or a HD, its going to sound the same.
In fact, some argue that a lossless signal (like flac) from a computer is better
than a CD, as there are no playback issues, and they are a lot more convienient.
This is why some think the days of the CD are numbered, btw
Um, no it's not totally wrong. I agree that FLAC and other lossless codecs will one day be reproduced via computer with an efficiency every bit as impressive as high end units, but we're not there yet.

As of yet there aren't any standalone soundcards that get the job done and, while constantly improving, USB DACS are in there infancy. I had the Scott Nixon Tube DAC at the house for a week last year and regret not keeping it. Very serviceable...but not top of the line.

Music servers like the Olive, though expensive, bring something to the table that no PC can compete with---a great reduction in fan noise. I would be highly interested to hear HermanV's setup. I can imagine that being a system that would set the paradigm for the future.

I think that lossless files will be the future of the industry but I think it's a stretch to say we're there at this point.