Computer audio can be wonderful but frustrating

[jimbones]

I have been listening to CD mostly over that past few months. Finally fired up the laptop last night to listen to some hi res files. WTF I could not get a song to play for more that a few seconds (buffer/sample setting issue) Got that solved. Then as I was ready to slip into my easy chair, I could not get the Gizmo app to connect to my server, arghhhh! After spending the better part of an hour between both issues I found info online that said i should check my firewall settings. Sure enough i go into my windows settings and corrected that. But sheesh! I don't remember changing my settings?! Anyway, all is good now but I spent more time fixing rather than listening  

[Emil]

Jim

Computer audios just a fad....let it go.

We'll all be pining for the glory days of the plastic disc in 10 years.

[jimbones]

I don't see it as a fad, i see it as an evolving technology that will eventually be easier to use over time. For now it is not very user friendly. For example: I wanted to bypass my Cuinas USB/SPDIF converter and go laptop right into my DAC. Apparently I never downloaded the Driver for the DAC. And that does not take into account I use JRiver and JPlay and have to deal with incompatibilities with those 2 pieces of software.

Jim

Computer audios just a fad....let it go.

We'll all be pining for the glory days of the plastic disc in 10 years.

[DaveC]

There are some issues with computer based music servers... the computer needs to be optimized and should be used only for audio for best results. Usually a custom or stripped-down OS would be needed. Then you have the USB or S/PDIF issues and cables to deal with, neither are really ideal for audio imo.

I ended up going with the Sony HAP-Z1ES. No computer, no digital cables, great SQ. It's not without it's own set of issues but for me the tradeoffs were worth it.

[Werd]

Jim

Computer audios just a fad....let it go.

We'll all be pining for the glory days of the plastic disc in 10 years.

I'm sure you'll be dead of cancer long before that little baby boo.

[jimbones]

There are some issues with computer based music servers... the computer needs to be optimized and should be used only for audio for best results. Usually a custom or stripped-down OS would be needed. Then you have the USB or S/PDIF issues and cables to deal with, neither are really ideal for audio imo.

I ended up going with the Sony HAP-Z1ES. No computer, no digital cables, great SQ. It's not without it's own set of issues but for me the tradeoffs were worth it.

Agree. A dedicated music server is needed, but for now this is my "do-it-all-laptop"  . I think eventually the devices like the Sony will get very good.

[Emil]

Jim

Computer audios just a fad....let it go.

We'll all be pining for the glory days of the plastic disc in 10 years.

I'm sure you'll be dead of cancer long before that little baby boo.

Cancer? How nice of you. I hope to go quickly with a major  infarct.

Anyway, maybe I should have but a " " after my comment.

As mentioned, computer audio, IMHO, is not audiophile consumer friendly. The Sony is a step in the right direction thou.

 I'll just keep picking up second hand CDs for cheap

[JBNY]

A dedicated player is really the way to go for computer audio, using a multipurpose laptop, while it works, you see the problems it can bring.