What we really need...

[Deleted]

IS...

to stop faffing around with step by step advances in the technology available to us end users.

We need to go straight for the jugular, which is where the industry is heading, slowly, anyway.

You buy your HQ download, load it straight to a fast solid state device, eg USB pen. This could even be done at shop level, listen to files in HQ and load up the ones you want. Pay the shop assistant, job done. Said pen is then independant of the computer, it plugs straight into your HQ dac which can read from the pen for itself, this is then connected to whatever playback system you wish to use.

This is one main reason why I'm reticent about PC audio, it will all be defunct so soon, as we move closer to the enevitable.

All, of course, IMHO.

[Deleted]

Chris
Interesting idea, but at this stage most of the so called "experts" don't even believe that ripping and playback via a typical PC/Mac is simply SUBSTANDARD !!!
Alex


"expert" = X marks the spot . Spurt- A drip under pressure ! (Benny Hill)

[Will]

Chris, I reckon you've hit the nail firmly on the head.

DIY Arduino solutions are already here, and being used, that enable DAC's to be control units, rather than 'just' dacs hifiduino.blogspot.com/, so being able to directly plug in a USB stick, and treat it as an 'album' (what's an LP, dad?) is the next step.

Mind you, then we'll argue about which USB sticks sound the best, and which ISP's provide the most hifi download experience. You read it here first.... ;D