2. pc-audio
  3. 155856-4917

Improvement over iBook as a front end

Hi, For many years now I have been using an old iBook as a front end, dedicated to music stored on an external drive. The DAC is in my pre-amp. Is there now a front end that would give me a big improvement over this set up? The rest of the system is audiophile (Primare pre-amp, Genelec monitors, REL subwoofers).
The key functionalities that I demand from any replacement are the ability to assign a genre to each tune, and to play in shuffle mode within each genre. Therefore, a CD player/transport is not an option. 

Your help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.



garbo
3 responses Add your response
jerrybj
862 posts
 
I use an old MacBook Pro as well.
Run music through Audirvana.
Halide Bridge USB to SPDIF converter to DAC.

Updated my DAC 18 months ago to a heavily modified Beresford SEG.
Coupled with a number of additions/tweaks, the MacBook is sounding good. 
I'm sure I could do better. Interested in the responses you get.
whatsthatbuzz
7 posts
 
I use a 2016 MacBookPro to feed a Musical Fidelity X-DAC v3 in my office setup. I just got a Schiit Eitr, which is a reclocker, and put it between the 2 and the sound quality was improved greatly. So much more 3D.
garbo OP
27 posts
 
Yes, I ended up buying a new DAC, the RME ADI 2, which includes jitter control and re-clocking. Even my wife said it sounds better, so it must be true.
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