I appreciate the input, everyone. Specific answers:
@almarg - I run my laptop on battery when connected to the stereo. If I run out of juice, I take that as nature's way of telling me to switch to vinyl or go to bed;-).
@auxinput - The DAC in my C50 is supposedly a stereo-only version of the 5 DACs used for the 7.1 capability in the 881. Unfortunately, the 881 doesn't allow a DAC-only loop, so can't try an A-B between the two. I'll consider the reclocker idea, and I appreciate your brining it up.
@randy-11 - My Mac has a 500 GB HDD; the SSD wasn't available in the 13 inch version at the time.
@williewonka - The C50 DAC is internally driven, so not an issue. I'll check into Audirvana; I've been using iTunes simply because it came with the computer. On the BlueSound Node, a buddy of mine has one hooked up through a Hegel H300 integrated and a pair of Martin Logan ESL EFX. The combo sounds really good, and it's something I've considered. The issue I have there is that there is no way for me to connect a Node or Vault to my router via Ethernet. The C50 doesn't have a wireless capability and there is no way for me to run computer cable to it of any kind short of tearing out the ceiling in my basement (long story about bad decisions by prior homeowners). The USB connection I've been using is a Rube Goldberg rig that I uncoil from the bottom of my audio rack and run across the floor to my laptop when I want to use it. Makes it a real PITA for streaming Internet radio.
FWIW, I did just discover that the C50 automatically up-samples all digital inputs from whatever to 32/192 internally. Amazing what happens when you re-read a manual after a few years. This defeats (duplicates) the MIDI configuration in the laptop and raises questions about hi-rez file handling.
More to follow & thanks again!
@almarg - I run my laptop on battery when connected to the stereo. If I run out of juice, I take that as nature's way of telling me to switch to vinyl or go to bed;-).
@auxinput - The DAC in my C50 is supposedly a stereo-only version of the 5 DACs used for the 7.1 capability in the 881. Unfortunately, the 881 doesn't allow a DAC-only loop, so can't try an A-B between the two. I'll consider the reclocker idea, and I appreciate your brining it up.
@randy-11 - My Mac has a 500 GB HDD; the SSD wasn't available in the 13 inch version at the time.
@williewonka - The C50 DAC is internally driven, so not an issue. I'll check into Audirvana; I've been using iTunes simply because it came with the computer. On the BlueSound Node, a buddy of mine has one hooked up through a Hegel H300 integrated and a pair of Martin Logan ESL EFX. The combo sounds really good, and it's something I've considered. The issue I have there is that there is no way for me to connect a Node or Vault to my router via Ethernet. The C50 doesn't have a wireless capability and there is no way for me to run computer cable to it of any kind short of tearing out the ceiling in my basement (long story about bad decisions by prior homeowners). The USB connection I've been using is a Rube Goldberg rig that I uncoil from the bottom of my audio rack and run across the floor to my laptop when I want to use it. Makes it a real PITA for streaming Internet radio.
FWIW, I did just discover that the C50 automatically up-samples all digital inputs from whatever to 32/192 internally. Amazing what happens when you re-read a manual after a few years. This defeats (duplicates) the MIDI configuration in the laptop and raises questions about hi-rez file handling.
More to follow & thanks again!