New to Computer/Digital Music Need Help NADM15


Recently purchased NAD M15 HD pre/processor. Want to get use my macbook and for now itunes library. Struggling with what I need to accomplish this. Questions are:
Is the onboard DAC adequate or can I use an external DAC? recommendations?
What is best way to connect macbook to NAD unit? Headphone jack? USB with external DAC?
What input do I connect into NAD? Any help with configuring setup menu based on connection method?

I recently purchased MAC Sound Pipe but cannot get sound. I assume this is teh "poor man's way" and do you recommend a SPDIF bridge assuming use of an external DAC? My price limit for teh DAC would be <$600.00. Thank you for considering to help.
blackhawks6

Showing 1 response by sfar

I don't have any direct experience with your NAD M15 but according to the specs on the NAD site it has four optical digital inputs.

If your Macbook was made within the last decade it almost certainly has a mini-Toslink optical output available through the headphone jack. The simplest possible connection would be to get a Toslink cable and mini-Toslink adapter for the Macbook end. Plug the other end into the NAD and I would think you'd be set.

Can't help with whether you'd need to select and configure that input on the NAD, though. The DAC in the NAD is almost certainly much better than the one in the Macbook. Be sure to check the manual on how the optical inputs work.

USB out of the Macbook and routed through a USB DAC is also an option. There are a number of well-thought-of inexpensive DAC's like the Musical Fidelity V-DAC and the Nuforce that would make the connection. I use an Aune mini-DAC in my office with an iMac USB connection and it's very good.