[fordgtlover]

The title pretty much says it all. Can a computer really be a decent audiophile quality source.

If not, why not?

 

[epaludo]

Can comment on computer high end sound cards. But if combined with a good external DAC, a computer can sound pretty amazing ...

 

[Hardwired]

My PC is my audio source via a USB connection to an external DAC/amp and it sounds great.

 

[krmathis]

It sure can!
A computer playing lossless files through an external DAC can sound really great. My headphone rig use a computer based source, and I simply love it.

 

[Scrith]

The question needs to be reversed: can anything other than a computer match its fidelity and flexibility?

It is already a given that a computer is a BETTER source than any CD-based system (due to the inaccuracy of reading CDs in realtime). Any vinyl, while its limitations may be pleasing to some ears and the care put into creating the version of a recording put on vinyl is sometimes better than that put on CD, is known to have lower fidelity than the digital formats a computer is capable of playing.

 

[sejarzo]

What Scrith said!!!!

 

[Petyot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordgtlover /img/forum/go_quote.gif The title pretty much says it all. Can a computer really be a decent audiophile quality source. If not, why not?

You should read that article :

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue22/nugent.htm

 

[ccotenj]

probably depends on how you define "audiophile"....

for the "audiophile" who believes that nothing sounds as good as vinyl, can tell the difference between power cords, transports, can "hear" differences that aren't measurable, etc. etc., probably not...

for the "audiophile" who listens to music because he/she enjoys it and doesn't obsess over every little thing that "might conceivably" (no matter how unlikely) interfere with their sound quality, the computer is REAL good...

 

[diego]

I also agree that a computer can be compared to an audiophile transport if connected to a good DAC.

 

[fordgtlover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petyot /img/forum/go_quote.gif You should read that article : http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue22/nugent.htm

Great article Petyot. Thanks.

 

[Redo]

Sure, a computer can be a great source, especially when hooked up to a nice DAC. I feel that it can never match a good CDP though

 

[003]

No. Not cheaply (aka getting a dac, using bitperfect digital out and calling it done), at least.

 

[Ahriman4891]

A computer will never match a good audiophile source. Unless you write "MERIDIAN" across it in big shiny letters, then it can.

 

[fordgtlover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sure, a computer can be a great source, especially when hooked up to a nice DAC. I feel that it can never match a good CDP though

What does a good CDP do that a computer can't or doesn't do?

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petyot /img/forum/go_quote.gif You should read that article : http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue22/nugent.htm

Great article.
Thanks for sharing the link.