Re: Sound quality question

On Apr 20, 10:42 am, guido.neit...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 (Guido Neitzer) wrote:
> Iordani <somewh...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> > I have a sound system which I'm very pleased with.
> > (System Audio Explorer speakers and Musical Fidelity A300 amp and A3
> > CD-player)
>
> > If I were to convert my CDs to some lossless file format and store
them on
> > an (external) hard disk drive and then play them using computer and
some
> > media player to feed my amp,  would there be any theoretical or real
> > difference in sound quality compared to using my CD player.
>
> > Answers and/or pointers highly appreciated.
>
> There might be differences - as there might be audible differences
> between cd players. From different sources you might get different
> output, especially because computer outputs are sometimes very low
> quality.
>
> I can hear a little difference between playing from the computer over
> Airtunes to an Air****t Express station hooked up to the Rotel RA-1062
> integrated and B&W 804S speakers. It seems to have a slightly different
> frequency response. It's not that I'd say it sounds worse or better than
> the RCD-1072, just a little bit different. I tried to level match as
> good as I could so I hope I'm not just hearing volume difference.
>
> The next part is: there are more "low level" audio components involved
> which might or might not reproduce with lower quality than a good cd
> player.
>
> I know that some audiophiles would say that there is a "night and day"
> difference and still wouldn't be able to get it right in a double blind
> a/b test ...
>
> So it comes down to: there might be a difference depending on the exact
> equipment used. It might be better (if you have a really bad cd player)
> or it might be worse. It might also just be slightly different. But
> overall, it should sound pretty similar, if you have a decent sound
> card.
>
> Nevertheless I rarely play music from my computer as I like the
> "feeling" of inserting a real cd in the player, lean back and listen.
> It's just a different feeling and therefore sounds better to me ... ;-)
>
> Believing is everything. If you believe, you will hear the often phrased
> "night and day difference". If you don't believe, you might hear some
> very little difference - or not.
>
> cug
>
> --http://www.event-s.net

Guido, for a mere $160 more, you could buy the Creative EMU 0404 USB
and hook it up to your system. Your Air****t express would then
optically feed the 0404USB which would then D/A and send the audio to
your Rotel.

The difference will be night and day, and you might even be playing
your CD player less and less.

Give it a try. Your B&Ws deserve as much:)

CD