I've Become a Computer Audio Wacko!

[Iron_Dreamer]

While I will continue to maintain that the SSD is the biggest upgrade to computers in at least the last 10-15 years, I agree with Jacob that it should have absolutely no effect on audio other than lowering ambient noise levels (which they are, quite effective at, considering the hard drive is generally the noisiest part of a large percentage of computers). Enjoy the SSD, JP, just drop the audiophilia nervosa

[jp11801]

Ok at MOA I would welcome a demo of a MBP SSD vs MBP HD. While I really do understand why a platter HD has more than enough throughput for audio and I never reach capacity HD speed, use all of my RAM or processor... RAM and SSD appear to have made a difference.

Maybe the Monkey of Jeff us around it call me out if I cone by.

[Dusty Chalk]

I think it's psychological, the relief you feel working on a computer with an SSD drive (or SSD front end) is like crack, it makes you feel good ...-> more enjoyable listening.

[spritzer]

One thing I'm sure Jacob would enjoy, Hi-fi News tested USB cables in the latest issue. Guess what, the cheap ones were better...

[deepak]

Interestingly Barry Diament said SSD does make a difference with his ULN-8, but has proven (to himself) that there is no difference between iTunes and Amarra- when output with levels matched the files produced null each other out.

[tyrion]

Interestingly Barry Diament said SSD does make a difference with his ULN-8, but has proven (to himself) that there is no difference between iTunes and Amarra- when output with levels matched the files produced null each other out.

So where does this leave us? Probably that we are all nuts and kidding ourselves with all this nonsense.

[deepak]

So where does this leave us? Probably that we are all nuts and kidding ourselves with all this nonsense.

Right that's why I added he proved it to himself; he is not pushing his beliefs on anyone, just offering what he found through scientific testing. I have no interest in the other stuff, but have personally benefited from his advice regarding speaker setup and DIY room treatments. Plus he is a damn good mastering engineer.

[tyrion]

Understood, but I do think we are nuts.

[blubliss]

Isn't Barry the same guy who believes his Nordost cables are the best?

I did listen to him about the Lio-8 but he may be cookoo in other areas

[Grahame]

Understood, but I do think we are nuts.

Y'all be Crazy

[mypasswordis]

I used that one really minimalist program which loaded each audio file into computer RAM to play and noticed a slight improvement, so maybe I am a computer audio wacko too...

I'all be crazy.

[digger945]

wtf lock unlock.....

I used that one really minimalist program which loaded each audio file into computer RAM to play and noticed a slight improvement, so maybe I am a computer audio wacko too...

I'all be crazy.

I did the same, and thought the same. I am crazy, and heavily medicated.

I won't be satisfied until computers are powered by tubes again.

[Grahame]

wtf lock unlock.....

I did the same, and thought the same. I am crazy, and heavily medicated.

I won't be satisfied until computers are powered by tubes again.

Then you might like ... List of vacuum tube computers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia especially AN/FSQ-7 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

AN/FSQ-7 computer. Note the phones located on the end of every cabinet to save time calling in problems.

An AN/FSQ-7 computer contained 55,000 vacuum tubes, occupied about half an acre (2,000 m

[swt61]

So where does this leave us?

Back to CDs of coarse.

I also feel like I get more out of my music time when I spin an entire CD, instead of bouncing around my music files.

[grawk]

I'll stick with my non-tweaked out music server setup. Whole recordings when I'm in the mood, random "grawk radio" when I'm not.

[mypasswordis]

I'd say I have a 70/20/10 split between computer audio, CD, and vinyl usage but I always listen through albums at a time regardless of format.

[blubliss]

I do think I hear differences between software players, but who knows. I am using Amarra now.

[Dusty Chalk]

... 70/20/10 split between computer audio, CD, and vinyl ...

I don't even know what my ratios are -- the categories are: iPod listening in car; iPod listening elsewhere (office or home); computer listening; CD (much lower lately -- I'm more likely to rip and listen on computer or iPod); vinyl (that one I know -- zero ); playing (also zero lately ); making up or replaying stuff in my head (quite a bit lately); movies (more than a little); my cats (quite a bit lately); ambient noise (not the genre -- I just didn't want to put "silence") (also quite a bit lately -- I tend not to listen when I'm reading).

[atothex]

I have no idea about SSD being an improvement sonically but I do set my Foobar to cache everything into the RAM for playback which seem to be the same thing theoretically.

How do you do this?

[Aimless1]

I do think I hear differences between software players, but who knows. I am using Amarra now.

Although I also use Amarra, in all fairness, I'm really not sure that it's better than itunes. Trying to level out the volume there wasn't much difference in the sound to my old ears. However, Amarra Mini plays 96/24 with out adjusting midi settings and I like some of the EQ settings. At the end of the day I like listening with the software in place.

[postjack]

I'm enjoying this thread very much.

Personally I'm moving backwards to a more CD-centric listening environment. Not really entirely sure why, I'm just enjoying spinning little obsolete discs right now.

[tyrion]

Back to CDs of coarse.

I also feel like I get more out of my music time when I spin an entire CD, instead of bouncing around my music files.

I think I sense a comeback for the CD. Long live the CD! Anyone want an Amarra 4?

[jp11801]

Mike since your giving it away I;ll take it!

[tyrion]

I can't give it away and buy an Ayre C-5xe mp.

Edited December 23, 2010 by tyrion

[grawk]

I give you permission to give it to me and get whatever you want.