audioengr
Responses from audioengr
| PC-Audio vs. High-end CD Player-GAME OVER #3 is a non-starter, not even close IMO.Steve N. | |
| PC-Audio vs. High-end CD Player-GAME OVER Drubin asks:which would be better:(1) USB out of my Mac --> USB input on Benchmark DAC1 USB, or (2) USB out of my Mac --> Empirical Audio device that converts USB to SPDIF --> coax digital input on DAC1?They both use virtually the same US... | |
| PC-Audio vs. High-end CD Player-GAME OVER I agree. Tube DAC's can be really wonderful, and 16-bit data is just fine. 24-bit can be a bit better, but I'm happy to listen to 16-bit all day long.Using the DAC's in these inexpensive converters is like playing your Wilson speakers from a Bose ... | |
| PC-Audio vs. High-end CD Player-GAME OVER Kana813 - the SMPS that drives the SB3 definitely has an effect on its output jitter. This is independent of the PC power supply though. I suppose if you wired the SB3 to your network rather than using WiFi, this might add ground-loops that would ... | |
| PC-Audio vs. High-end CD Player-GAME OVER "1. Will the PC/Mac download + DAC system kill the CD?"There is little doubt in my mind that this not only will be the case, but already is the case, given the right player software and .wav files.2. Does the high-end PC/MAC setup kill the high-en... | |
| PC-Audio vs. High-end CD Player-GAME OVER Splaskin - Alex has a point here. The jitter on the USB interface is very much a function of the computer power, grounding and shielding. Fortunately, there are a couple of excellent chips from TI that reject this jitter quite effectively using di... | |
| PC-Audio vs. High-end CD Player-GAME OVER Kana813 - the SB3 and Transporter are not affected in any way by the PC or MAC that is driving them. Strictly a data transport mechanism using packets with ethernet protocol.Steve N. | |
| Computer output to DAC, which route? No, not WMP. With a PC, either use Foobar2000 0.8.3 or Jriver. These deliver the best sound quality.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| Computer output to DAC, which route? If you are using Windows XP, then dont use iTunes, unless wireless to a AirPort Express or Apple-TV. Then in order to get decent quality you need a glass Toslink cable. Superb quality is possible with a reclocker.For non-networked playback, such a... | |
| Computer output to DAC, which route? Eandylee - iTunes should not be used with USB on a PC. Results are not great. Prefer MAC. | |
| Apple Mini 'puter as a CD jukebox? Hmtc - you can get Toslink out of an AirPort express and with a good glass cable, it is not bad, but dont expect it to be as good as a CD transport. The chip and clock in the AE are just too jittery.One solution to this is to use a Pace-Car recloc... | |
| Computer output to DAC, which route? If you are sticking with iTunes then you have a couple of choices to achieve a high-quality result:1) Use a MAC and USB converter such as the Off-Ramp, HAGUSB or Trends UD-10 (avoid USB with iTunes on a PC)2) Use a PC or MAC and the AirPort Expres... | |
| PC based system, questions and clarifications... Prpixel - I'm aware that some are doing using the Nokia products. If I already have a Sonos, this is even better, and when I play music overnight, it is still playing in the morning, unlike the SB3.....Steve N. | |
| PC based system, questions and clarifications... The SB3 display is a point of contention for many folks, including me. I have one because I use them with my products, but I much prefer the Sonos interface. The problem is that the Sonos has a much worse digital output. I solve this problem by re... | |
| PC based system, questions and clarifications... "DACs: I only want a DAC that employs a USB interface. That much I know for sure (to many jitter problems to overcome with other interfaces)."The jitter "problems" are actually easier to overcome with networked devices. And you dont have wires to ... |