Cambridge Audio 740C Optical In DAC Help...


1st time I've ever posted here. I've been consumed online of what to do... I have 3500 CD's and an old Onkyo CD Player. I'm using Paradigm Studio 40s and just bought the Onkyo TX-NR609 Receiver. I'm wanting to get a laptop (Mac Pro- or any other recommendations?!) and download all of the music into iTunes (or something else?!). I've been reading about a lot of DAC's here, but thought I would kill 2 birds with one stone and get the Cambridge Audio 740C Cd Player with the Toslink Optical In and hard wire connect the laptop to that and use it as a DAC. IS this difficult to do? If I do this, can I play other audio through the computer or video and have it not go through the DAC? Will the Onkyo recode the music after it goes through the DAC defeating the purpose? Would I listen to the Computer in CD Mode on the receiver and just change the input or would it be under PC (if I was using the PC as a component?) Any other recommendations? I want to get the best possible sound, get a new CD player and use a laptop for all of the downloaded music. I appreciate anyone's guidance, but also understand if you avoid this post altogether!!! I'm a rookie...
yonkel

Showing 1 response by magfan

Just::
Could you please look at and record your software version of the 840c?

I have an 840c and it is UNUSABLE with an Airport Express because of jitter issues.

I'm just trying to find out if the expense of updating the players software is worthwhile or not.
To do the update, you need a Null-Modem and a computer with the right (Windows) OS and a serial port.

Other than THAT? The wireless link from the confuser to the stereo is terrific. The Ipod touch makes a good remote and everything works seamlessly.

You don't need a 'special cable' either......A simple Toslink to mini-Toslink adaptor works fine. The cost for such an adaptor? 2$ tops. and that's too much.