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I want to have a PC audio system. I have 2500 dollars budget.
I have presently :cd player Sony 707 ES , preamp Sony TA-77 ESD .
I also have a MacBook pro .
what would be the best way to get to a digital set up?
Thank you .
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I use a MacBook Pro running Pure Music (playback software that uses your Itunes library) via USB into a Schiit Bifrost DAC (Uber version with USB). The The software and DAC will cost $700 together.Good Luck
Edits: 04/10/15
Audioquest Dragonfly USB DAC. It plugs in to a USB port on your Macbook, then you need a simple mini to RCA cable. Mini end to the Dragonfly, RCA end to a L and R input on the Sony pre-amp. Run the volume at maximum on the macbook and use the volume on the Sony to your liking. I have one and it's a great way to quickly and easily get started on a computer based system.
Many small ones available for under $500. Playback software with or without Itunes is helpful
Hook the USB dac to a USB port on the MacBook using an audio USB cable. Hook up the RCA outputs from the USB Dac to the preamp with regular IC cables. Hook up your amp(?) to the preamp as usual. Install Itunes and/or other playback software. You can play CDs directly from the DVD drive (properly configured) or copy your disks through Itunes (properly configured) or other playback software to your hard disk. Then you can play these from Itunes directly and/or other playback software.
Later on, after you get the hang of things, you might want to add a dedicated hard drive to store your music.
I use Audirvania which works in conjunction with Itunes as my playback software.
I've never gotten off this track as i do not stream music at all.
You'll get better recommendations there...
Hi i would try one thing first.
If i am not wrong your Sony TA-77 ESD preamp has digital inputs on the back.
I would test them with the digital out from the cd player and listen if i like the sound.
I guess your cd player must have a very nice quality digital out so it is a good testing tool for a DA converter.
Then a very cheap solution could be a " usb to spdif converter " compatible with your MacBook pro.
For specific suggestion of good usb to spdif converters ask in the dedicated "PC Audio" section. You will get tons of suggestions from highly experienced people.
I feel your preamp is a very good piece with great flexibility.
I would keep it.
Good luck.
Squeezebox touch used or new on E-bay similar to the link below. For $320 this will be a great entry into streaming audio. I have 4 of them. Not affiliated with the seller.
Yup, totally agree with Cut-Throat on this one.
If you don't mind setting up and running a music server, streaming to the Squeezebox system IMO remains one of the most flexible and economical ways to go. I have 4 units around the house plus an extra Touch in storage for the day one of the other units die! The Touch can be updated with the Triode plugin for 24/192 output to a DAC if you want to do this one day.
Computer --> DAC is of course another good way to do this... But the Dragonfly IMO is cheap and portable but not the best sounding unit. For a budget of say $1000, there are many desktop DACs that could be better and provide more features like 192kHz+ and DSD support to cover the bases.
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Archimago's Musings : A 'more objective' audiophile blog.
One other way I forgot to mention that I think newbies should really *strongly* consider:
OPPO BDP-105
Blu-ray/DVD playback, USB DAC up to 192kHz, DSD capability, USB drive support for the times you don't want to plug in your computer.
My friend has had one for a couple years now and I have listened to it quite a bit - excellent clean sound from the SABRE DACs. Measures excellently as well.
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Archimago's Musings : A 'more objective' audiophile blog.
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