Quote:

Another frame of reference for CD audio playback requirements is that a $30 computer CD-ROM can pass data reliably at up to 48x what is required for CD audio. For data. Which has to be bit-perfect.
Bren R.



Actually it wasn't the speed or accuracy of the drive. In all cases we are really assuming a 100% correct data stream that is buffered and more than fast enough to keep up with the needs of the DAC. It was that the cheaper units used a cheaper and more inacurate timing crystal. Kind of like those $5 watches that are off by a minute a day. The price point to get a more accurate crystal isn't much higher. Kind of like those $15 watches that are only off by a few seconds a day.