I've always suspected the problem with why some computers playing wavs sound
different is more to do with the analogue parts than the digital ones, but
it would be interesting to compare the actual readable bits on several
players and computers. Lots of error checking etc, and other fiddling about
has and still does go on inside digital to analogue hardware/software, so
one might in fact be able to hear differences even if the analogue bits
were the same.
Its a sobering thought that even with all the amazing technology, there is
no real way to predict whether a cheapo bit of hardware will be good or bad
until you connect it up and listen.

One thing I will say though is that in the main, the quality these days can
be very good for not a huge outlay. Computers though have other problems,
like rubbish getting into the data or noise on supplies and glitching due to
the computer doing other things.
Its amazing also just how unbad MP3s can sound giving the liberties taken in
them!

Brian

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On Feb 15, 2:33 pm, tony sayer wrote:

You can rip a CD perfectly using a PC CD-ROM drive and the right
software, which gives you an error-free wav copy of the signal.

So you reckon you'd be able to reliably tell that apart from the same or
another CD of that material from a CD player in a live A-B comparison?.

With a good sound card in the PC, and against an average CD player,
the difference is surprisingly stark. (but, of course, idiots on this
group will claim otherwise.)