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The computer is not necessarily my favorite source component, but it definitely is the most frequently used component in my home.
As we transition from one format to another, some components hang on as our main source of music. What is the source component you use most in your home system?
The computer is my only source. The S/PDIF output of its sound card is connected to an external DAC. It also serves as my "virtual tuner" for Internet radio listening. I previously had a Squeezebox 2, but its display died two months out of warranty. After trying several potential solutions, I ended up building a silent PC for my living room. This alternative is probably only viable if you're single, though.
As much as I'd like to think the analog LP is superior to the digital CD, I'm afraid I just can't. While the CD is far removed from being able to provide sound that is truly faithful to the original, vinyl is even further removed. Back in the 1980s when the CD first hit the consumer market, I was perhaps one of the first to revert back to the LP. But by the time the 1990s hit, so many improvements were made with digital recording techniques and CD playback equipment, it was clear to me that the future belonged to the digital domain. I think that is evident when one seeks out new LPs, not re-issues, they are few and far between. And about those LP re-issues, their sound is limited by the technology used for the original master tapes.I recently listened to an LP re-issue of an early 1960s recording. All of the instruments were in the left channel and the entire vocal group was in the right channel. Nothing in between. It was terrible. I hit the mono switch on my preamp to bring things into proper balance, as they were intended to be heard by the producer. And about the sound quality, it was thick and lifeless. Shall we discuss mis-tracking, inner groove distortions, off center pressings, skating distortions, ticks & pops, warp & rumble, record wear... how is this better than today's CD?
My Rotel 1080 AM/FM tuner. I live alone, my house is small enough that I don't have to crank the stereo to hear it everywhere. And I do a lot more than listen seriously. Using my tuner moves music, news, sports and everything into my life when I don't have time to just listen.
Foobar2000 + Lynx AES-16 into my DAC of choice. And the rest of the time a simple M-Audio Transit into DAC for 2-channel movies, general Windows usage, etc. This will change as I purchase more Blu-Ray/SACD music titles, but it will take years before I build a library large enough to seriously distract me from my PC!
I own over 2000 LPs and 500 CDs. Each year I go through my entire collection once. I always find nuggets I had fogotten. That means I spent at least 25% more time on LPs and that leads to reenforcement of that usage. Sound further reenforces that listening usage. Yes, for me LPs sound better.
Until five months ago, 90% of my listening was with a VPI HRX turntable. JMW 12.5 arm, Garrat "Optim" FGS ruby cantilevered cartridge, etc . However, since buying a Meridian 808.2 CD player I'm listening more and more to standard Red Book CDs. In fact, I've even lost interest in exploring so called higher resolution digital formats. If I didn't have a large collection of LPs that have never been released on CD I suspect CD would no be my main source. I'd find it difficult to give up the art work and notes that come with LPs, though, especially with classical ones. Call me old fashioned if you want. It only took me 30 odd years to accept CD.