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104.12.45.20
I know there can be a fine line, but anything that uses a PC/MAC type device, or computer software, or whatever, post about it over on C.A.A..
I'd also include things that can be 'downloaded to,' but we'll see how things shake out.
Chris
Follow Ups:
Agreed, please keep the computer related posts over on C.A.A.
I'm not at all interested in any of that stuff in regards to music reproduction and would like to see the Digital Drive Asylum stay with players and DAC's.
Cheers,
Al
Perhaps time to include SACD in the CD space. The only significant point of difference between new digital and legacy is the use of optical media. New digital can operate at pretty much all resolutions. Or would this offend the SACD subset? Perhaps keep SACD as a subset of Optical?
Big J
"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."
Hi, Chris,
The fine line differentiating PC Audio from Digital components is becoming quite blurry. The difference between "PC Audio" and "Digital" is no longer as clearcut as it was even a few years ago. For those of us who prefer not to rely on a computer to play music, devices such as streamers and digital file players that can be used as stand-alone stereo components are exactly what we're looking for. Just because they can also be hooked up to a computer shouldn't necessarily obligate them to PC Audio.
I suggest that the line be drawn as follows:
Any device that can be used independently of a computer/notebook/tablet is best posted on the "Digital Drive" forum, which should add streamers and players to the description of the forum.
That would include the Auralic Aries and other similar devices. The selection of digital players that do not rely on a computer has been increasing at a nearly exponential rate. I suggest that the role of the computer be reduced to that of a software device. If a stereo component can be used independently of a computer, it belongs in Digital.
Thanks for listening.
Regards,
Tom
Merge the digital and computer audio forums and be done with it. This isn't a high volume web site, like some other audio forum sites on the 'net. If some users are unable to tell the difference between the two, at least it won't pose as much of a challenge for them in figuring out where to post.
Hi, J.,
I agree, the lines between the two forums are becoming increasingly blurry, but there will be advocates for keeping both forums intact. Change, typically, is not an easy progression.
Regards,
Tom
What about fully configured computer-based (i.e., basically a computer with suitable software) streamers that are controlled from a tablet/remote? Operationally, they would meet your criterion although they really are computers as, indeed, is the Auralic Aries and others that do not require an external computer. How would you distinguish them in a "Turing Test?"
Edits: 10/12/14
Hi, Kal,
I would consider the device you describe as a stand-alone stereo component. The software is more like firmware in that it can't be used for anything but playing digital music files. I can't do word processing or spreadsheet calculations with the Aries. :-)
The method/device for remote control is just part of the feature set in that I don't need a computer to remotely control the component.
Regards,
Tom
I agree.......or we could just merge the two categories as they are both in the digital realm. We really don't need less categories as we have some deadwood for sure (Prop,Shady,ISO, discount) Just thinking out loud.
ET
Offhand, the only component I can think of that may straddle that line is a DAC with both USB and conventional S/PDIF inputs. If you're playing digital data pulled from computer files on local storage or across a network, then you're using a computer audio source. Pretty simple.
That said, I see no reason why the two forums should not be merged. The audio industry is clearly moving (or has already moved) in the direction of computer-based audio, with spinning discs becoming increasingly rare as a music source for many audiophiles.
I'm not so sure that the distinction is that clear cut and certainly not for future digital music components. The traditional computer (word processing, spreadsheet calculations, web browsing, etc.) may become obsolete when it comes to music. I see a day when network streaming audio could access the web without the need for a "computer". Basically a stand-alone streamer; the tuner of tomorrow.
But this discussion is probably about semantics, namely, "What is a computer?"
Regards,
Tom
"I see a day when network streaming audio could access the web without the need for a "computer". Basically a stand-alone streamer; the tuner of tomorrow."
Good one...
At least I suppose that you are joking or looking in the mirror since that day was years ago. Shoot the squeezebox products that really started it have now gone obsolete. Nowadays you don't even need a stereo, just a cell phone. We're a bunch of old coots pecking at each other over the merits of after-market car cranks...
But at least we agree that only losers prefer automobiles with self-starters!
Rick
Hi, Rick,
The comment was made with tongue-in-cheek, but not enough to put the smiley face after it. I think we'll be seeing components that make high-end digital file playback, whether onboard, connected, wireless, locally networked, or direct-to-web even more convenient and affordable. Well beyond what the Squeezebox offered.I agree with you on the "old coots" analogy; we need to let go of our paradigms and keep an open mind as to what digital music entails. Even "computers" don't always fit the definition that we still hold on to. I'm a coot, and ready to explore the digital domain (beyond CD playback). However, I'm not in a big rush to purchase the gear necessary for quality digital sound; I have lots of vinyl and CD music to listen to and continue purchasing both forms of media.
In many ways I'm glad that I haven't gotten into digital just yet. The advances in technology and integration and the drop in price for what is now a fairly mature field of music playback are making stand-alone components very attractive. I've been holding out for a device that does not rely on a traditional computer for storage or control and the selection is becoming much more sophisticated and affordable.
Keeping PC Audio separate from Digital Drive may be an artifact of the evolution of the digital music realm. And despite my wanting to keep the worlds separate in my own listening space, the more I think about this subject the more I'm convinced that we should just have a single "Digital Playback" forum. Otherwise, the PC Audio forum should perhaps become the "Configuration and Maintenance of Computers Used For Audio" forum and Digital Drive becomes a strict "Digital Devices That Spin Discs" forum. :-)
Regards,
Tom
Edits: 10/13/14
"the PC Audio forum should perhaps become the "Configuration and Maintenance of Computers Used For Audio" forum and Digital Drive becomes a strict "Digital Devices That Spin Discs" forum. :-)"
Hey, those look pretty good to me! I think your "PC audio" bit is perfect but I think that the "Digital Device" category needs to be broader, maybe something like "Digital-domain and mixed-signal Audio components. Yea it's kinda engineeringish, but there it is...
The nicest thing about being an old Coot is that we don't taste good! (yes, I did just get home from walking in a wildlife "refuge" where the hunters were pounding away at the uncoots.)
Rick
I think ET's idea of combining the two into one forum makes sense. Some of the spinners also stream and read USB drives and such and the PC Audio forum often discusses DACS and other digital components so why not just have a "Digital" forum where all things non-analog can be discussed in the same place?
Just a(nother) thought.
Tom
The problem is that, while that might be OK for some, many seem to have narrowly defined interests and would prefer not to see things outside their defined interests. Frankly, I might be one. ;-)
If Sam Tellig is to be believed, at least as he writes in the current issue of Stereophile, Music Streamers are like CD players.
Or so his comparison of his current favorite CD player to a Music Streamer.
zzz
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