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DAC with AirTunes?

Can I improve my sound by adding an external DAC to my Airport Express/AirTunes->Arcam AVR300 connection or should I just stick with a direct digital connection to the AVR300? I'm using a Monster AirPort Express Stereo cable(toslink) now and thought about adding a lower priced used(Scott Nixon, Benchmark or Ack!) DAC into the mix. I'd go through the AVR300's analog inputs instead of a direct digital connection. I have some leftover .5 meter Kimber Silver Streak cables that I'd be using for my analog connection so all I'll need is the DAC.

Thanks for any input.
asahitoro

Showing 5 responses by asahitoro

asahitoro OP
244 posts
 
Sorry, I want to clarify here that I'm concerned about possibly improving my two-channel stereo listening by adding an external DAC. The AVR300 has two digital inputs and I'll still be using one(and the AVR300 DACs) for 5.1 listening.
asahitoro OP
244 posts
 
OK, I'm thinking of scrapping my AirTunes for a Squeezebox. Has anyone used this device with good results? How are it's DACs? It seems to have all of the connections and features I need all in one package. Does it work well with Macs?
asahitoro OP
244 posts
 
Thanks Jayboard.

I've been reading a lot of past posts and am still looking at my options. The AVR300 will let me use stero direct if I connect via analog but not digital so that's one reason I'd like an analog connection. The other reason is can an external DAC sound better for stereo than the AVR300's DACs, which while are good, may be more suited for 5.1? Is that true of most AV receivers? Is there a difference in DAC's for their intended main purpose?

As for the Squeezebox, I like the all-in-one solution if the DACs are that good that I won't need an external DAC. Also, I get a display and an option for a coax connection instead of optical.

Thanks again for the input.
asahitoro OP
244 posts
 
Thanks again Jayboard.

After thinking this out more, I think you're right. I'm cutting corners with the Squeezebox. A laptop w/iTunes is a much better option than the little diplay. Maybe down the road I can find a bluetooth dock w/digital out that will allow me to use my iPod Nano as a remote. That combined with an external DAC would be the ticket. I can still go stereo direct that way and depending on the DAC, I can also take advantage of improving my Sony changer's two channel sound via the external DAC. I'll still keep another digital connection direct to the AVR300 for 5.1.
asahitoro OP
244 posts
 
Thanks for the input Edsilva,

Maybe you didn't read my post correctly. I realize the Nano does not have a direct digital out or bluetooth. I was referring to a *dock* that would have this. Similar to this dock:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/bluetrip/techspecs.php

Or this:
http://www.smalldog.com/product/36108

These would allow the iPod to be used as a remote. The latter needs a digital out but I suppose my Monster mini->optical digital cable may work. BTW, can the Monster cable connected directly to my iPod's heaphone jack allow me to use a digital connection?

You bring up a good point about bluetooth being able to handle it. Maybe there is(or will be) an 802.11g dock that can handle it better. As for the capacity, the 4GB should hold enough and if I need more it's just a quick stroll to my Mac to sync and change things. A bluetooth or 802.11g laptop with more capacity may be able to connect to this dock as well.

I'm going to research these docks more but for now I think I'll just stick to my AirPort Express w/AirTunes directly connected to my Arcam DACs via optical. If I need a display , I can pull out the laptop. That and my Keyspan remote will get me by till I find a better solution.
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