Why did YOU join CA?

[mayhem13]

Just wondering as I'm pretty much a newcomer, yet still haven't found what I'm looking for. Let me begin

I joined CA looking for support from learned people on the topics of building servers or specialized Systems, advice from networking Guru's for tweaking a network for optimal performance, conversations with/from code writers for front ends or lack thereof and multi zone audio systems advice.

Honestly, I've seen more relevant posts over at AVSForum,SmallNetBuilder, and DIY Audio on all of the above. What I have encountered is pretty much standard Audiophile SQ banter and subjective reviews for gear from forum members. I consider myself pretty knowledgable as far as acoustics from speaker design, selection and installation. As a former live sound engineer and pre-production engineer, I've seen and heard just about all there is, and practice in real world situations. Pretty much, I stick around here to lend advice where these topics are concerned, and share my experience. I also 'feel' a need to bust a myth or two where some of the audiophoolery surfaces.....but I'm getting pretty tired of this truthfully. Not to criticize the forum or it's creator, but CA wasn't at all what I expected it to be. From now on, I'm going to stay clear of silly small signal debates, focus my experience with speaker systems where it might be needed, and try to encourage members that have practical or industry knowledge on computer topics to join or post. Maybe if CA were named Computer Audio instead, things would be different. Who knows?

[wgscott]

Why did you pick your username? It suggests you also had, in addition to prior expectations, an agenda when registering.

[Paul.Raulerson]

Well, to be honest, I like the people here. While I don't mind giving out professional assistance upon occasion, that isn't necessarily my favorite thing to do in my off time or down hours. Also, to be a bit blunt, I don't often do that for free anymore. When I do, I like to pick my own charities.

[sdolezalek]

I joined because the notion of using a computer as the front end of an audiophile system seemed to be the bleeding edge of audio technology. It also introduced, for the first time, a much greater diversity of both DIY and semi-custom front ends at a broad range of price points. For most of us that meant a whole new learning curve and a brand new chance to seek audio nirvana. At least that was the theory....

In reality (i) most CA members got up that learning curve really quickly; (ii) the original barrage of new products has slowed meaningfully; and (iii) many of the minute differences in sound quality now appear to be below the threshold of differences between how different humans hear things. The result: We now spend as much time agreeing and disagreeing over whether cables sound different or versions of bit perfect software sound different as anywhere else on the music web.

The really good news, as Paul Raulerson has already said, is that this is a really bright and typically very helpful group of members. That alone differentiates Computer Audiophile from most other similar web destinations. Someone is always coming up with a new and interesting question, perspective or idea. In addition, some of the early blog entries were really fascinating (but obviously tough to keep up). That is what keeps me coming back.

The obvious challenge for Chris is how to accompish two things (i) how do you provide an "easy way in" for brand new members who are just starting their learning curve; while (ii) keeping the most knowledgeable veterans interested and contributing. I went through a similar process over the last decade with the advent of digital cameras in the higher-end SLR segment and the evolution of web sites like Digital Photography Reveiw (DPReview) who have done a reasonable job of balancing (i) and (ii) above to commercial success.

[mayhem13]

Why did you pick your username? It suggests you also had, in addition to prior expectations, an agenda when registering.

wgscott was already taken....so i thought I'd try something new.

Wanna get back on topic or would rather just practice being clever?

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi mayhem - Good topic.

In my experience when users don't find what they're looking for it's because they haven't spent time asking the questions. This isn't a slight on you but just a generalization. Many people show up looking for other people to do a bunch of work for them and may complain when the work doesn't get done.

Again, this isn't directed at you as you seem pretty competent.

[mayhem13]

And I agree a good topic.....should help you gauge the memberships needs and wants.....as long as people are honest with themselves.......pretty hard thing to do!

[AudioDoctor]

To serve my country, be the best damn fighter pilot in the US Navy SIR!

oh wait, thats the wrong answer, uhmm to learn about Computer Audio and get started moving away from a CD Player. I had already taken my baby steps as an early adopter, but wanted to move forward.

[realhifi]

Just wondering as I'm pretty much a newcomer, yet still haven't found what I'm looking for. Let me begin

I joined CA looking for support from learned people on the topics of building servers or specialized Systems, advice from networking Guru's for tweaking a network for optimal performance, conversations with/from code writers for front ends or lack thereof and multi zone audio systems advice.

Honestly, I've seen more relevant posts over at AVSForum,SmallNetBuilder, and DIY Audio on all of the above. What I have encountered is pretty much standard Audiophile SQ banter and subjective reviews for gear from forum members. I consider myself pretty knowledgable as far as acoustics from speaker design, selection and installation. As a former live sound engineer and pre-production engineer, I've seen and heard just about all there is, and practice in real world situations. Pretty much, I stick around here to lend advice where these topics are concerned, and share my experience. I also 'feel' a need to bust a myth or two where some of the audiophoolery surfaces.....but I'm getting pretty tired of this truthfully. Not to criticize the forum or it's creator, but CA wasn't at all what I expected it to be. From now on, I'm going to stay clear of silly small signal debates, focus my experience with speaker systems where it might be needed, and try to encourage members that have practical or industry knowledge on computer topics to join or post. Maybe if CA were named Computer Audio instead, things would be different. Who knows?

I "joined" this site out of interest in where computers and music playback are and are heading and I think it does that just fine.
To think that a site is going to be loaded with experts that dole out advice on setting up the perfect (today) computer for playback or how to put together a state of the art (again, today) network seems to be out of the scope of a volunteer oriented website on this topic. If you want that type of info there are a number of manufacturers that offer "how to" posts and directions on their websites. I think this site does an admirable job in letting folks into the digital playback realm.

PS. This aint rocket science. Building a decent little server or network is pretty much childs play these days.

[wgscott]

And I agree a good topic.....should help you gauge the memberships needs and wants.....as long as people are honest with themselves.......pretty hard thing to do!

Thank god we now have a messiah to guide us child-people from the dimly illuminated basement of our overwhelming ignorance.

[Jud]

Just wondering as I'm pretty much a newcomer, yet still haven't found what I'm looking for. Let me begin

I joined CA looking for support from learned people on the topics of building servers or specialized Systems, advice from networking Guru's for tweaking a network for optimal performance, conversations with/from code writers for front ends or lack thereof and multi zone audio systems advice.

Honestly, I've seen more relevant posts over at AVSForum,SmallNetBuilder, and DIY Audio on all of the above. What I have encountered is pretty much standard Audiophile SQ banter and subjective reviews for gear from forum members. I consider myself pretty knowledgable as far as acoustics from speaker design, selection and installation. As a former live sound engineer and pre-production engineer, I've seen and heard just about all there is, and practice in real world situations. Pretty much, I stick around here to lend advice where these topics are concerned, and share my experience. I also 'feel' a need to bust a myth or two where some of the audiophoolery surfaces.....but I'm getting pretty tired of this truthfully. Not to criticize the forum or it's creator, but CA wasn't at all what I expected it to be. From now on, I'm going to stay clear of silly small signal debates, focus my experience with speaker systems where it might be needed, and try to encourage members that have practical or industry knowledge on computer topics to join or post. Maybe if CA were named Computer Audio instead, things would be different. Who knows?

Your post makes it clear why you haven't found what you're looking for. You say in the post, "I consider myself pretty knowledgable as far as acoustics from speaker design, selection and installation. As a former live sound engineer and pre-production engineer, I've seen and heard just about all there is...." In comments on this forum, I've read you belittling advice from Richard Vandersteen and calling statements by people like Keith O. Johnson "myths." If you're smarter than these guys, who's left to learn from?

I joined CA to learn from people who know more than I do (luckily there's no shortage of them around here) and to have entertaining discussions with folks like wgscott, esldude, goldsdad, Paul Raulerson, Demian Martin(!), Gordon Rankin(!), Miska, Damien Plisson, others too numerous to list, and some people who unfortunately don't come around anymore, like PeterSt.

[Kimo]

I joined to meet chicks, but it is not going well.

Actually, there are some apparently quite knowledgeable posters here though, which is nice.

[kumakuma]

wgscott was already taken....so i thought I'd try something new.

Wanna get back on topic or would rather just practice being clever?

I joined to learn more from the friendly folks here.

I *stay* for wgscott's comments!

[wdw]

I've certainly learned more about integrating a computer into a high end music system from this forum than from any magazine, stereo store or sales staff from same. (didn't hang around web forums until this one)
Kudos to Chris for a great site and thoughtful site moderation....and a great crowd of helpful, thoughtful posters.

[crisnee]

Learning the intricacies of integrating computers and audio.

-Chris

[Cincy2]

Not that this forum or its members need my approval but...I came here to pick up the basics of digitizing and playing my CD collection from a music server. I found helpful people and some great advice. I got up and running quickly thanks to them and now I wonder what I'm going to do with my CD transport. Well done to all who contribute and administer this forum.

Cincy

[Julf]

I joined after getting burned by HDTracks, and googling the net for people with similar experiences - that led me to the excellent audacity cowboy postings...

[Zakus]

I too came here because of HD tracks. A few years ago I got rid of my CD player after ripping my CD's as aiff's and happily streaming around the house via airport express. Downloaded a couple of hires albums from HD tracks but found that airport express was limited to 16/44 and that if I connected my macbook directly had to manually use audio midi to change resolution, a pain.

Dr Google found Bitperfect and then he/she found computeraudiophile. Following threads, blogs and reviews led to improvements that I would not have considered and then actually saved me money by targeting upgrades/additions rather than just craving more expensive gear. I am now very happy with my current system and don't see the need to upgrade, and no it does not cost me my mortgage.

Not you technophile answer but perhaps your music loving one.

[4est]

Audio? I came for the food!

OK, really I came here after having started using a computer as a transport in 2006, looking to further my digital knowledge base to move beyond my DIY USB>SPDIF convertor and DIY NOS DAC.

[wgscott]

I just searched my very first posts:

[Bear]

I was a hard core CD guy some two years ago as I was not convinced that computer based audio could give me the quality I was looking for - at least not yet. My wife was really bugging me to get rid of all the CD's cluttering up the house and wondering why I could not just use iTunes. Well, after cruising this site for a little while and other research I finally became convinced that it was time to make the big leap! I agree that the seemingly endless arguments/discussions on the merits of differences between cables and other similar topics can become a little tiring, but it is all part of the fun! Computer audio has really made a big difference in my listening habbits (more) and quality (better). CA played a big role in pushing me in this direction (finally). I still buy CD's, much to the chagrin of my wife, but only to rip them to my liberary - at least until we have hi-res easily available for on-line download. I hope that day comes soon! In the mean time I still find little tidbits of information on CA that I would probably not have thought of and many times amusement at some of the more esoteric exchanges. A great site with great people overall!

[wdw]

..after some reflection, I going to modify my initial post...

I really come here for the endless debates as to the merits of interconnects, especially expensive ones...power cords, ridiculously expensive data cables, ..all of it....quantum devices and more
It's a daily Punch and Judy show, each character that shows up to join in is as iconic as the puppets themselves. ;-)
WDW

[Koop]

I just joined recently. I hope to learn more about the different ways people interface with their computer audio solutions and to discover even better methods of taking digital content from a computer and getting it to the listener in the best possible way.

[mav52]

..after some reflection, I going to modify my initial post...

I really come here for the endless debates as to the merits of interconnects, especially expensive ones...power cords, ridiculously expensive data cables, ..all of it....quantum devices and more
It's a daily Punch and Judy show, each character that shows up to join in is as iconic as the puppets themselves. ;-)
WDW

Agree it sure takes the edge off in the morning when people debate cables and what they want to hear or believe in. Its better than a few cups of caffeine and should actually be made into a reality show but the script seems to be stuck on cables and out of this world bit rates. Point - Counterpoint on 'Yes it is vs No it isn't. I love it and at times it's educational.

[tomE]

I joined to get information on how to build a server. A few years back there was very little commercial product out there and my local dealers knew next to nothing about the subject. But I was attracted by the thought of all my CDs on a hard drive with easy access. So I joined CA and built my (cheap!) version of the original C.A.P.S. server and after a lot of fiddling with the set up I got music! Later I bought a BDP-1 and don't use a computer anymore. Yes I know the Bryston is really a computer. So now I hang out and comment once in a while, keep an eye open for developments that might interest me and read the reviews. And follow the usual debates and arguments like many others here. Some of the zingers are awesome!