I've been at this computer setup for over a year now. First with a Musiland MD10, then a new Benchmark DAC1 (kept for 10 months), then a Bel Canto DAC3 (kept for a week) and now a MHDT Havana for a month. The Havana wins out. The Bel Canto was p#ss poor as far as USB implementation. I wish I still had the DAC1 to compare now that I resolved the power problems I've been plagued with, as it was incredibly bright but I think with the right setup it may work out alright.
Source is an IMac 20 feeding an Empirical Audio Turbo-3 via USB, then digital coax to the DAC, then to a Rogue tube amp (Itunes providing the volume attenuation, which contrary to popular opinion works perfectly in my setup). Just as long as your girlfriend, wife or kids (or all three) don't click on any website that produces video playback automatically, otherwise the speakers would be toast.
One crucial (absolutely crucial) lesson in all of this for me is the power noise the computer throws off. If you don't deal with it, it will impart a lot of harshness/sibilance, regardless if the DAC or whatever conversion device you use says it isolates power and deal with jitter (i.e. Bel Canto, Benchmark or Empirical). The IMac is just as susceptible to power problems as a CD player or DAC (moreso given it's design intent, which definintely isn't as a music server).
Digital power cords work wonderfully on the computer and obviously the DAC, as I was just about to throw in the towel with my setup until I got a hold of a couple to try. Siblance is all but reduced and etch is nearly eliminated. And that's with using silver ICs which to this point I never had much luck with.
Sorry for the winded message and it's always YMMV.
Source is an IMac 20 feeding an Empirical Audio Turbo-3 via USB, then digital coax to the DAC, then to a Rogue tube amp (Itunes providing the volume attenuation, which contrary to popular opinion works perfectly in my setup). Just as long as your girlfriend, wife or kids (or all three) don't click on any website that produces video playback automatically, otherwise the speakers would be toast.
One crucial (absolutely crucial) lesson in all of this for me is the power noise the computer throws off. If you don't deal with it, it will impart a lot of harshness/sibilance, regardless if the DAC or whatever conversion device you use says it isolates power and deal with jitter (i.e. Bel Canto, Benchmark or Empirical). The IMac is just as susceptible to power problems as a CD player or DAC (moreso given it's design intent, which definintely isn't as a music server).
Digital power cords work wonderfully on the computer and obviously the DAC, as I was just about to throw in the towel with my setup until I got a hold of a couple to try. Siblance is all but reduced and etch is nearly eliminated. And that's with using silver ICs which to this point I never had much luck with.
Sorry for the winded message and it's always YMMV.