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In Reply to: RE: noobie looking at pc audio/dac posted by rockanroller on April 04, 2015 at 16:53:17
Hello,
yes you can find affordable DACs, you can check musicdirect.com or acousticsounds.com for some great high end DACs that would fit your budget. Get one with a USB input as you should be plugging in your Macintosh laptop into the DAC using the USB and playing back music from the laptop.
iTunes should be a first step to see how everything works, you can rip your compact disks into ALAC or better known as Apple Lossless. Once you get everything setup there are other players and formats to use but beginning with a good DAC and testing with iTunes first should be a good start.
This PC Audio hobby gets complicated, so if you are happy with the sound you get from that initial setup you can stop there. If you want really high end playback then you'll need perhaps more money for a better DAC and software. At your budget you can find something that works for you in terms of a DAC with a USB input that works with Macintosh.
Good luck.
Follow Ups:
bullethead, thanks.
Since you seem very knowledgeable, here are some more questions:
what does the acronym DSD means?
what do you think of Shiit audio DAC`s?
am I looking for 24/192, or 24/382 ?
can you get better sound of a cd ,burning it to a laptop, than playing it through a DAC, even if the original format the cd has been recorder is lower than 24/192?
much appreciated.
DSD is another type of recording mechanism, most music isn't recorded that way so you technically don't need DSD, but if the DAC supports it and you can afford it by all means get it and it will future proof your investment.Schiit audio DACs seem to be good from what I read, I use an Aune Audio S16, which I will link below. Schiit are made in the USA so that is something good about it.
You can get by with 24/192, however the higher bitrate the better, it all does depend on budget and what you deem important in an investment I suppose.
Depending on your CD player, unless you have a very good CD player, your Macintosh playback should sound better with a good DAC.
Here's the link to the DAC I use. I also reviewed it here at audioasylum.com under the review section.
Edits: 04/04/15 04/04/15
How are you liking the S16? I picked one up and I am impressed.
Only thing is the clicking when switching PCM to DSD. They could fix it in firmware. Sound wise it is very nice. :)
I looked at the website for this DAC. Is it an asynchronous USB? They refer to it as non-synchronous which is probably an English thing for them.
Yes it uses the latest XMOS. It is really nice IMO. Sounds much better than it's price. It would be nice if you were able to get your hands on one for a listen. :)
I might just do that Bob.
I like it, good that you are enjoying yours as well. Sounds great to me.
My cd player is a vintage Sony 707ESD.
Do you think it is necessary in the musical"chain", or would the PC+DAC+PREAMP+AMPS IS BETTER?
Or am I getting ahead of myself?
thanks.
use what you got, if you have a CD player keep it, I always consider PC audio as a smarter CD player. No hurt in having both :)
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