I had a Lector MK3 CDP and went with a Mac Mini/ RWA Isabella with Dac. The Mac setup clearly is a better sounding system next to the Lector.
Mac to DAC thats comparable to Linn CDP?
I have tried a few and they sound like crap compared to my old Linn Genki.
My wife has asked to set up a music server to get all the CDs out of the dining room.
I have a Dell Mini running OSX and itunes, USB out and also an external USB to SPDIF converter.
This is connected to a Linn Kolector and Aktiv bi-amped Ninkas with a 10" Sizmik subwoofer.
Compared to a CD in the Genki using lossless Apple format, the (inexpensive) USB DACs I have tried have a tiny sound stage, the bass is all fuzzy and the treble sounds like glass breaking inside my ear.
I searched up all these posts where people say this or that DAC sounds good with the computer, but do they mean 'good for a computer'?
My question is, can I get acceptable sound out of the computer or is this a lost cause? If I can get decent sound this way, what is my wallet looking at, and how can I figure out how to pick a DAC from the hundreds that are available.
Thanks!
My wife has asked to set up a music server to get all the CDs out of the dining room.
I have a Dell Mini running OSX and itunes, USB out and also an external USB to SPDIF converter.
This is connected to a Linn Kolector and Aktiv bi-amped Ninkas with a 10" Sizmik subwoofer.
Compared to a CD in the Genki using lossless Apple format, the (inexpensive) USB DACs I have tried have a tiny sound stage, the bass is all fuzzy and the treble sounds like glass breaking inside my ear.
I searched up all these posts where people say this or that DAC sounds good with the computer, but do they mean 'good for a computer'?
My question is, can I get acceptable sound out of the computer or is this a lost cause? If I can get decent sound this way, what is my wallet looking at, and how can I figure out how to pick a DAC from the hundreds that are available.
Thanks!