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In Reply to: RE: Need Help deciding on new System posted by d3 on January 25, 2015 at 06:52:09
not a scientifically deduced percentage by any means, but I found that I had to spend like money to match the SQ of my Wadia cd player. The DAC is the heart of the playback system. Spend mucho $$$$ and get a quality product. Is that giant killer out there?? Heck if I know.I personally use JRiver Media, but there are others that folks use with good success. JRiver has good remote apps for both Android and Apple. They've put a lot of thought into their software and it's a solid player/manager.
Windows or Apple? Choose your poison. Whatever you are most comfortable with is prob a good choice. You'll find out eventually via experimentation. RAM is a good thing.
WAV or FLAC? Try both and find out. Most cannot tell the difference, but some say they can :)) I say FLAC is good and easily tagged.
NAS, USB hard drive or internal hard drive, which sounds better? Put a couple of the same files different locations, listen and make your own decision. Most can't hear a difference. I use a couple WD external USB hard drives with good success.
Save yourself grief and don't use the laptops internal cd/dvd/blue ray drive. They are cheap and break easily. Purchase an external drive to rip with. They do a good job and are easily replicable.
Edits: 01/25/15 01/25/15Follow Ups:
Would you want to get the best performance out of the system by other - pretty much free - means? Or you would start selling and buying DACs?
That's right, if his DAC/Converter doesn't live up to or better his current CDP, then you either live with it or look for something better. I had to do the same, auditioning a few less expensive but decent units until choosing my QB9. This is said, assuming that there isn't something terribly wrong somewhere else. And it's not because it don't believe other things make a difference, it just believe the DAC makes the biggest difference.
You see, I don't even understand the logic.
To me, these 20% are still missing, no matter what DAC you're using - it's just that with better DAC, getting closer to 100% will be more rewarding. Unless, of course, your DAC provides immunity against all the vagaries on the transport side - and you know full well what I think of that idea.
That, and the fact that audiophiles usually deal in rather marginal percentages, much less than 20% - disagree?
Audiophiles are consumed with the other "20%". Did I say 20? Maybe more like 2% :) I happen to be more music lover than audiophile, but I do appreciate those, such as yourself, who go the distance and push boundaries. Remember what I stated: "And it's not because it don't believe other things make a difference, it just believe the DAC makes the biggest difference." So I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, but for a new comer, just getting started in the insanity...umm I mean hobby, to get caught up in the minutia is just silly. If the OP leans that way, then he'll go that way. I think I had the OP's best interest in mind, considering his original post.
What I do have problem with is being somewhat selective, with regards to what you choose to negatively react to.For instance, when some Apple-fixated schmo'llins starts stinking up the air here, and flapping his gums about "crap DAC and/or a crippled computer", no doubt describing HIS crappy DAC, with its input connected to his crippled by design, unsuitable for quality audio playback, Apple-conceived marvel - I would like to see you up in arms, for a change.
Edits: 01/28/15
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Somewhat ... uhhh... what do they teach to use instead of r-word... yes, that's it - intellectually challenged, too.
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The computer-side tweaks I've tried with my QB-9 have made little to no difference in SQ. Memory playback, JPlay, a $$ USB cable seemed to make very slight sonic improvements but they were on order with upgrading a power cable - seems to help but I wouldn't bet my paycheck that I could distinguish the difference blindfolded. Other stuff I've tried (mostly other software eg, HQPlayer et al) made no difference that I could tell. Most recently, I compared my PC (SMPS) w/ JRMC to a MacBook Pro (battery power) with Audirvana. The Mac set-up sounded a tad more liquid and relaxed but, again, I wouldn't bet my paycheck that I could distinguish them blind.
My conclusion is that the QB-9 is more-or-less immune to computer-side tweaks (the review on Computer Audiophile obliquely said the same thing). Of course, it could also be that the QB-9 is such a POS that it masks any attempt to improve its SQ!
Having said that, I know of others who reported significant improvements in QB-9 SQ by tweak the transport. Go figure . . .
I think the point that JeffH was trying to make is exactly what you have experienced.... and as I have experienced.Forget the percentages.
Is it so far fetched to state that the DAC has more influence on the overall system sound than the computer? I believe this to be true unless you have a crap DAC and/or a crippled computer.
Yes, it's a 'system' but certain components influence the sound of the system more than others.
Edits: 01/26/15
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