Not necessarily.

Too many variables, including where you set the bar for "high end", if you are thinking of something like the Reimyo CDP @ around $27K then almost certainly, but back in the real world where most of us live, many (particularly headphone users) rely almost entirely on PC sources and some very competent computer based sources have been purpose built.

Once your CD is ripped accurately using readily available software and stored on your HDD the quality of the playback from your CD-Rom drive is inconsequential.

There are a number of issues to consider, but the greatest factor in SQ obtained will come from the quality of DAC and your ability to feed it the cleanest signal possible.

The electrically noisy interior of a PC can be a source of signal contamination and jitter, approaches such as using external soundcards connected by USB or Firewire is one solution, as also are DACs having USB input.  If the DAC reclocks the incoming signal then jitter will be reduced.

When you say PC I am not sure if you are talking of a desktop machine or a laptop, the options may vary a little depending on which you use.

A number of people of my acquaintance who use desktop machines are quite satisfied with the analogue output from a good quality soundcard fed to a Solo or other quality headphone amp and I have owned standalone CD players that did a worse job than a couple of the soundcards that I have here.

So, not by any means are you condemned to second-rate by using a PC source.

How much difference does the transport make ? - that is a question that has sparked many a lively debate.

As an indicator, early this year I attended a gathering of audio tragics for a "source shootout", there were around 20 in attendance and sources varied from an old cheap CDP through several $1K - $3K models and up to an $8K Wadia and also included a laptop fed into a USB DAC that can be purchased online for around $700 (pricing in $AU).

Levels were matched and all sources fed through a switch box to the same amp and speakers - which player was connected to each number on the switch was known only to the setup man.  There was no discussion during comparisons but free switching at request was the order of the day.  Attendees took notes and selected numbers according to their rankings eg player no 1 worst, player no 2 third, player no 3 first etc. notes re various aspects of SQ were also made.  Afterwards the setup man collated all the result sheets, unsurprisingly the Wadia ranked first, surprisingly the USB DAC ranked second, the others more or less in order of price, ascending.

The differences were not as obvious as might be expected and my feeling was that a longer period of evaluation with a wider range of music might be necessary to fully appreciate the superiority of the most expensive machine, its strengths were definite but subtle and it was probably more evenhanded on a wider range of material.

In other words its strength was its lack of weaknesses rather than an "in your face, blow everything else away" presentation.

Do note the second preference, a laptop with a USB fed DAC, this from a group of around 20 fairly experienced listeners choosing on SQ.

Repeat

How much difference does the transport make ? - that is a question that has sparked many a lively debate.

Doesn't answer either of you directly, but yesterday I had the opportunity of hearing a comparison of 2 CD players that would fit Grahams idea of "high end", in that the retail price of both probably has as much to do with what the vendors believe someone will pay, as with the cost of components and R & D and production generally.

These were heard in company with several others at the home of an acquaintance who owns a pair of rather exquisitely made and finished (and very good sounding) Duntech DSM-15 speakers and some rather serious amplification - more than capable of allowing the players to strut their stuff.

The contenders were the owners Simaudio Moon (something or other model) CDP and a 47 labs Shigaraki transport and DAC.

The 47 labs is around half the price of the Moon (still very X even if their cheapest model) and in the opinion of all present, including the somewhat bemused Moon owner, it rather upstaged the Moon in most areas on the system as configured.  Particularly notable was its better portrayal of piano, especially in the definition of the lower registers and overall, on a variety of musical genres, it was the preferred choice of all present.

So there is one out of left field for you, if you simply must have a "high-end" player, make sure you audition the 47 labs before you drop your cash.

Otherwise, most of what I can tell you is already in my previous post.

Han, if/when I find time, I may try the comparison for you, although to be fair, I may need to borrow your Cyrus for a few weeks 

ciao and enjoy the music.

Came across this review http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1919 - has a deal of discussion and comparison of various upmarket CD players and DAC/transport combinations with a final view of a quite cheap DAC in comparison.

This might address some of your questions in a little more depth than one usually finds on hf.

Han,

fine if you got something from it, the language is fairly intense and the information contained in it quite condensed.  He actually used two dedicated transports in addition to the 3 CDPs although it is necessary to read fairly carefully to note that.

Worth noting also his observation that transports do indeed make a difference and also his observations on the amount of power on time before full performance is obtained - he in fact expands on this aspect somewhat in another review on the same site.

He has a couple of other reviews on that site that I have read recently with interest, one on a tube buffer and a tube booster stage and another on a peculiar product or two from the Ringmat folk.

Yes, I did originally think of Simons questions when I posted the link, particularly since to me, the observations and attendant equipment, were somewhat more considered and informed than the usual fluff on head-fi.

But what the hey, whoever enjoys it 

For a thought provoker and not directly addressing your digital scepticism WRT Redbook CD.  I would generally consider my vinyl frontend to be superior to my digital (CDP) frontend,  but have recently (OK a couple of months ago  ) recorded a couple of LPs to digital files @ 24/96 sampling rate and without any post processing replaying via the same semi-pro external soundcard/interface from the computer and direct into my amp the SQ seemed fairly similar.  I have not taken time to listen critically to the results as I have yet to find time to record another LP to make sufficient to fill an audio DVD for peer review.

The initial impression however was quite favourable.