2. pc-audio
  3. 1092243013

Advice on Setting Up A Laptop-Based Audio System?

Hey, I'm looking to set up a workspace audio system based around my Apple Powerbook G4. I've got about 100 GB of uncompressed audio on an external hard drive. I currently have Monsoon planar speakers and matching subwoofer hooked into the laptop through the 1/8" audio out, which soundsokay, but I think I could do better.

I don't have a PC card slot in the Powerbook, so I'm limited to a USB audio connection. I'm not looking to hook this system up to my "big rig" -- it's just for my workspace. I was looking to bypass getting an amplifier, unless it's fairly small.

I was thinking of going with some powered mini-monitors and maybe some kind of adapter/DAC in between, but I'm space-constrained and not looking to spend more than say, $600 total.

Any suggestions?
marc_dc

Showing 4 responses by edumke

edumke
32 posts
 
I am currently using an Apogee MiniDAC, and I love it. The MiniDAC does require an external power supply, which might be a consideration for an iBook user. I have had a few problems with the unit dropping the USB connection. Apogee said that it is my computer. . . .

The MiniDAC does not have any digital output, so you have to use the on board DAC. Sounds great.

If you want to use your own DAC, the MiniDAC is not the solution.
edumke
32 posts
 
For those of you with PCs, a Transit might sound great, but if you have a Apple Mac, DO NOT get the Transit. It sounds BAD. this is not a subtle difference. This has been verified with 3 different Transits on high end systems. Two with with blind switching back and forth.
edumke
32 posts
 
I now have confirmation from 5 Mac based transit users - I should say former users.

The whole idea for a device like the Transit is to pass un-altered PCM to your DAC. The transit just does not do a good job of it. It really is noticeable.

I don't think this is unique to the Transit either. I think several of the popular low end devices actual mess with the PCM stream to one extent or another.

If you are concerned, call the manufacturer and verify that the device supports Core Audio (Mac OSX) and passes the PCM data unaltered.

I know that the Waveterminal U24 and the Edirol U25 both do a good job. There are probably many more.

As always, though, if you are happy with what you have, why change?
edumke
32 posts
 
I have only compared the MiniDAC to a Monarchy DIP and Monarchy M22c DAC. It was really hard to compare, because I only had one pair of cables, so it would take me 5 minutes to switch between DACs. No obvious difference that jumped out at me.

I talked to an Apogee tech who said he thought the MiniDAC sounded as good as some of their high end DACs.

I have a McIntosh MDA1000 coming next week. We'll see if there is any difference in the sound for 8 times the price!
More to discover