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Just the unfindable and the unusual. I have little patience for the unpredictable, low fidelity offerings otherwise.
Here's a question we last asked about a year ago: With the proliferation of high-resolution sound cards and other computer audio peripherals over the last couple of years, have you begun using your computer to play music?
I listen to tunes (CDs and Net Radio) over the PC mostly at work where I find it useful to block out noise. My current audio project is to build a killer PC audio streamer. Currently I plan to use a 24/96 encoder and play those files from some monster RAID disks. However, a new 24/192 contender has hit the field. I plan to encode all my LPs over the next two years. I figure that with either high bit format I'll be able to burn Red Book CDs, DVD-As and what not for mobile listening and use the disk drives for streaming throughout the house. Now all I need is to find a tube powered PC card.
Sometimes, while on the net, I will make use of the Windows jukebox (or whatever they call it)where you can download CDs, etc., but, as you might expect, the sound through three-inch PC speakers is pretty abysmal. Right now I'm listening to Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman" and hell . . . it sounds like they're playing pocket trumpets and plastic saxophones!
No, but its where I got my start listening to alot of music, constantly. I suspect I'm not an unusual breed. The fact that I started to want higher fidelity tells me that better quality pc equipment will be good fo t the hi-fi market. I think many people who have the money will get a taste of higher quality from these machines and start to demand a full range system.
An easy way to sample cuts from a CD before purchasing the disc. Also play CDs occasionally while working on other computer business. I have no interest in using it as a basic music source, most particularly MP-3, which is so inferior to my 2-channel system as to be laughable.
An easy way to sample cuts from a CD before buying the disc. Also play CDs occasionally while working on other computer business. I have no interest in using it as a basic music source, most particularly MP-3, which is so inferior to my two-channel system as to be laughable.
I listen primarily to electronic music. Once I got a cable modem and a pair of JBLPro LSR25p studio/multimedia monitors for a nearfield setup, streaming audio feeds have become my main source of audio. I now spend much less time listening to my higher end gear.
I listen to my MP3s or CDs through multimedia speakers while I suf the Net. I use a Creative SoundBlaster-compatible sound card on a Pentium 166 through Kilpsch Promedia 2.1 multimedia speakers. With 200 total watts of amplification, two-way satellites and a powerful sub module, the Promedia 2.1 sounds decent for a multimedia speaker. At least they sound better than the tiny Bose cubes they play in the music section of Best Buy stores. (What a shame, BB!)
With a good sound card and decent pair of headphones, PC audio has definately sufficed, while programming, etc. Other benefits include, of course, its mobility(laptop) and all the songs I could possible want to download from audiogalaxy.