2. pc-audio
  3. 1319986619

Does Hardware Matter?

Analog dude here looking to stream online radio stations into my rig. Basic and probably stupid question:

What difference in sound quality will it make if I just get a $200 notebook vs a $3000 uberMac?

Just going to go out of the mic output (splitting into 2 RCAs) into the back of the amp. Have done this successfully with our MacBook Pro and it sounds pretty fine - just don't want to dump another bunch of $$$ into another MacBook to use exclusively for the rig if it's not going to really significantly upgrade the sound.

Isn't the sound quality more dependent on the bit rate of the source and not necessarily the "quality" of the machine you're using to stream with? But WTF do I know...

Thanks all.
2k95aero

Showing 1 response by nonoise

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,190 posts
 
Just a thought: If you like the sound you are getting from your Macbook Pro, then keep it. I'd forgo the headphone output and go USB to a Centrance DACport LX and then the headphone out split to 2 RCAs and by all means, try Bitperfect ($5.00).
I use the same setup except that I use the Centrance DACmini, which uses the same DAC and I listen to radio streaming all the time.
You'll be amazed by the Centrance and floored by Bitperfect, especially when you remember that Bitperfect only set you back $5.00.
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