Topic: Please welcome me to the 21st Century!

[lds490]

I finally got around to plugging my computer into my hi fi system.  Wow, this is cool.  Now I can listen to my 24/96 recordings on my system as I track and edit them.

I'm running an optical toslink cable > Monarchy Audio DIP 48/96 Upsampler > Lite DAC 60.  Next I'll try it out without the DIP. 

I've only been listening a couple of hours.  So far, I don't notice any artifacts from the computer system (power supply, HD, fan, etc.).  My sound card was the least expensive 24 bit card at Newegg.com or eCost.com (only $19).  Unfortunately, I had to move the computer closer to the stereo and now everything is running on the same circuit.  The AV system is plugged into a line conditioner, but I see some visible effects on the TV pictures caused by the computer/cable modem/wireless router (go figure).  If anything, the sound is improved compared with my Toshiba 3960 > DIP > DAC 60.  I bet it will sound better when I move the computer again.

Obviously, I need to upgrade my CD/DVD transport.  But is optical disk playback becoming obsolete?  I currently listen to CD at home and in my car, but could easily use computer at home to replace CD/DVD.  In the car, I can use my PDA to play flash media (wav or mp3).  All I need to is input the signal to my car stereo.

I'm eventually going to rig the system so I can use my PDA as a remote for the HT system AND also to control the computer playback system via wireless.  I'll never get off the couch again!

I also need to get a much larger HD.

[noahbickart]

Welcome.

FWIW, I personally think the sound quality benifits of reading data off of the HD (instead of off of a CD) far outway the power issues.

-Noah

[pfife]

I tried doing this w/ a laptop, but it didn't sound nearly as full as my 4960... it was lappy -> Maudio Transit -> Musical Fidelity 220A.