The Absolute Sound's 4 part article on computer music audio quality

Fongolio
Fongolio Posts: 3,516
edited December 2011 in The Clubhouse
The Absolute Sound magazine is running a 4 part article exploring computer music audio quality. It covers what programs sound best, what programs produce the best sounding rips, upconversion, the peculiarites of FLAC, and tweaks to make a computer music rig sound better. The articles use both scientific and objective testing and results.

The December issue contains part 1 and the January issue part 2. They are almost essential reading for anyone running a computer based music server.

Is anyone else here following this most excellent series? If not, I strongly reccomend this to anyone with any interest in this area.
SDA-1C (full mods)
Carver TFM-55
NAD 1130 Pre-amp
Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
The Clamp
Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
Ben's IC's
Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
Post edited by Fongolio on
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Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2011
    I've been checking it out. The best people to benefit from the knowledge would be the folks that say digital media always sucks and cannot possibly sound good. I doubt they will so it will continue to just be ignored and a non-argument.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,223
    edited December 2011
    Since I got my W4S DAC2 I have learned a lot, and it sounds great and the convenience it a big plus!!

    I'm sold on it, with that said I still love playing vinyl. My CD's have been taking a back seat..
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited December 2011
    Nice. Thanks for the heads up. I *think* I have a pretty good handle on my PC rig, but I'm always interested in ways to make it better.

    Cheers.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited December 2011
    I am going to assume you need to be a subscribing member to view it? If not please post a link as I am MOST interested in reading to make sure I am maximizing my setup with what I have now....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,395
    edited December 2011
    The best way to improve your rig Mike is to get a turntable. Digital audio is the lazy way.:eek::lol:


    When we move into a home of our own again, I will be looking at servers and such for a whole-house setup, but it will never take the place of my vinyl rig. I will be following the articles with great interest.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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