Computer Audiophile FAQ
CA FAQ
Welcome to the Computer Audiophile Frequently Asked Questions section. The questions and answers below range from beginner to advanced. Many of the topics addressed could consume a complete chapter in a book about computer audio. The answers provided are just the tip of the iceberg and a single data point for the reader to consider. The FAQs are selected from reader questions on the forum and emails received from Computer Audiophile readers around the world. If you'd like a question addressed in the FAQ section please send an email to faq@computeraudiophile.com. There are no guarantees each question will receive an answer. It is highly recommended readers ask questions in the forum before sending an email to the FAQ mailbox.
- I'm a total beginner I don't even know what I don't know, where do I start?
- What are the bare necessities or minimum requirements to use a music server with my audio system?
- What's better for a music server Apple OS X or Microsoft Windows?
- What is an audio codec?
- What is metadata?
- What's the difference between WAV, AIFF, AIF, MP3, FLAC, WMA, ALAC, M4A etc ...?
- What are some playback application choices for a Windows or Mac music server?
- What's the best Windows or Mac playback application?
- What does bit perfect or bit transparent mean?
- Do I need a sound card in my computer if I have a USB DAC or any external DAC?
- What is a DAC and do I need one?
- What's better FireWire or USB DACs?
- Is it possible to rip DVD-Audio and SACD discs?
- Can I play high resolution audio via USB?








