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Mac sound quality

I'm using the new IMac , burning my CDs in AIFF . Its hooked up to an audio grade power conditioner , power cord and run to a Levinson #360S dac from the digital out through a audio grade digital cable . The sound quality is not nearly as good as my mid fi CD player . Iv'e read many posts saying this type of hard drive is far better than good quality CD players , too many posts to disregard . What am I doing wrong , the other posters were down loading , but can there be that much difference ?
tmsorosk

Showing 2 responses by istanbulu

istanbulu
291 posts
 
Some suggestions:

don't use the power conditioner with the IMac;
instead of an IMac, try a Mac mini... anything from 2007 forward, 2010 is the best for many reasons;
also, instead of using your IMac HD, use a peripheral HD... a firewire connected Oyen comes highly recommended;
you mention audio grade digital cable, is that a USB...? If it is, quality USB cabling matters... I recommend a dbaudiolabs Essential USB cable or a Ridge Street Audio Poeima (or higher, such as Alethias).

As Shadorne suggests, perhaps a different DAC might be a better angle as well... many excellent ones out there under $2k. I recommend the Tranquility or if you can find one, an iRoc. Others will recommend a plethora of good DACs I am sure.

Just some ideas to get a better start,

:) listening,

Ed
istanbulu
291 posts
 
@Tmsorosk, you mention in your original post that you are using a power conditioner. Disconnect the computer from the power conditioner. Just plug the 'puter directly into the wall. See if that changes anything for you. Is your power plug polarized or unpolarized? If unpolarized, flip the plug (reverse the polarity) and see if that does anything.

I see we haven't had responses from you in quite awhile... wonder how things are going with this project?

:) listening,

Ed
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