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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
brooks
55 posts
 
http://www.twindac.com/
bomarc
501 posts
 
If you have no interest in wireless, then Airport Express is just an alternative connection to USB, or audio out to powered speakers. I'm not sure one is any better than the others, though I don't have enough first-hand experience with this yet. But you mentioned an external DAC, and the Express is one.

If it's a home office, however, consider this: You could take the Express downstairs to your main system and play music from your computer system on it. (Or buy a second Express for your audio system.) That, plus wireless Internet and printing for $129 is a pretty good deal.

If you're talking about a workspace at work, however, wireless may hold no advantage at all. In that case, a set of powered speakers, or passives and a used amp, might be the better choice.
marc_dc OP
10 posts
 
If I go with passive speakers and a used amp, could someone recommend a small digital (preferred, as they run cooler) amp that I could use for my desktop setup?
gp0001
1 posts
 
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=2_2/qid=1092385599/ref=sr_2_2/602-7525827-2021468?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B00009W44B

Target sells a cheap digital amp on the web. Don't know anyone who has tried it.
rhing
89 posts
 
If your Apple PowerBook has a FireWire I/O connection, I would forget about the USB connection route and take advantage of the higher bandwidth and stability of the FireWire connection. M-Audio offers the FireWire Audiophile, a compact audio/MIDI interface with 4 X 6 audio I/O, powerful on-board mixing, ultra-low latency ASIO software direct monitoring, and a 1 x 1 MIDI I/O, which sells for less than $200 on the street. M-Audio, KRK and Mackie Tapco offer very nice sounding powered (i.e., active) monitors for less than $400 per pair on the street. MAudio's StudioPhile BX5 Monitors, KRK's RP6 Rokit Powered Monitor and Mackie Tapco's Tapco S5 should provide far better imaging, higher resolution and more audiophile punch than your current PC speakers. Keep in mind that you will have to invest in a complimentary subwoofer in the future for low bass output.
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