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From PC / Mac to DAC into Monoblocks, Direct?


Hello Everyone

For a newly reconfigured system (although keeping my Tympani IVa's) I want to use PC/Mac only as a front end, with monster monoblocks to ensure ample power to the Magneplanars.

With one source, I have no real need for a preamp, so I have been intrigued by other threads on Audiogon praising the performance of direct from DAC to amplifiers. (?)

Having always admired the looks of the Pass amps, I am thinking about a pair of X600's or 1000's.

From there, however, I would appreciate any advice on

1) PC vs Mac?
2) PC / Mac Interface?
3) DAC? (which can work with only an amp, obviously)
4) Cables?

to try and get as good as it gets with PC audio.

Extra credit for anything as impressive looking as the Pass monoblocks.

Happy New Year,
cwlondon

Showing 4 responses by cwlondon

cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 

Was hoping by now there might be a wider range of choices for the DAC to handle volume as well?

Or as lustformusic points out, that the software might handle the volument control?

If hardware, how about the Antelope Zodiac? Benchmark?

Dont mind buying a dedicated PC or Mac (mini?) for this set up, and happy to spend a fair bit on the DAC and amps....from there however, mainly looking for music server type ease, convenience, and simple clutter free set up for a new library room.

Would be great if the front end might extend all the way to an iPad, if anyone has had any success with that?

If software addresses the volume, perhaps there are also controller devices? Or "control surface" devices that would synch with Apple?

I want to add back vinyl and reel to reel at some point just for fun, but it's now 2013 and this is the future.

Happy New Year,
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
All very helpful - thank you everyone so far.

Lustformusic, nice idea to use a good case for the PC which I have also considered.

Br3098, how do you like your Antelope gear? And further to wives, mine has been very supportive of wires and clutters for years, but this seems to be changing as we approach our 10th anniversary.

Hence, this approach!
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
Re attenuator

This weekend, I managed to experiment with my trusty Audio Research DAC5 in the following configuration:

1) Mini Mac - USB out to Hagtech interface box
2) Hagtech interface box out to SPDIF input on ARC DAC5
3) DAC 5 direct to Levinson 23.5 power amp

To my surprise, (and as per Lustformusic's Foobar suggestion) I was able to easily adjust volume using the software when surfing around iTunes and Pandora, suggesting no preamp required?

Having said that, it did not sound great - just pretty good, so would appreciate any clarity on how attenuating the digital signal (?) might be compromising sound quality and how to improve upon that.

A friend from Audiogon has told me he has come close to perfected bit perfect rips to iTunes, which can be controlled using an iPad.

That too is of interest if anyone is using an iPad to browse their collection?
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
Perfect - thank you so much. And I may have been imagining it, but just took the amp out of storage for this project and the whole thing seemed to sound much better last night after > 24 hours of warm up.

Nonetheless, fun and convenient to listen to, so look forward to further exploration of Mac to DAC.
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