2. digital
  3. 137152-115924

New to HiFi, need digital advice.

I am not an audiophile but I recently acquired a really nice high end system for free. (AR LS16 preamp, Madrigal Proceed HPA2 amp, Arcam CD92 CD player, Aerial Acoustics 7B tower speakers.  I have been learning as much as I can over the last week since I got it.

Now I'm trying to figure out how to put together a decent but not necessarily high end digital input system for as little money as possible.

So here is my plan. I know it is not high end and probably not commensurate with my system but hopefully will meet my needs:

Old iMac using iTunes to manage flac or alac files plugged into Schiit Modi 2 via USB cable and then into preamp via USB cable. I can us Apple's remote app on my iPhone to select/play music remotely (Works great).

Does this sound reasonable? If so it will only cost me about $100 for the Schiit DAC and $25 for a decent set of RCA cables (already purchased) and whatever I might need to spend on the USB cable. Anything I should know about the USB cable for this?

Thanks for the advice and apologies for my ignorance in all of this.

George
n80

Showing 3 responses by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Old iMac using iTunes to manage flac or alac files plugged into Schiit Modi 2 via USB cable and then into preamp via USB cable.

I believe you meant to say into preamp via RCA cables.

I would never use iTunes for playback.  Use Foobar2K, Jplay, Jriver or Amarra instead.  Amarra will give you the best SQ IME.

The better the USB cable you buy, the better it will sound.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Audirvana is another good choice.  When you use Amarra or Audirvana with iTunes, they do not use the iTunes playback engine.  They only use iTunes for track selection and playlist construction.

In simple terms, these other players sound better, better focus, imaging and liveness.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Another dumb question: How do I get streaming from my computer into the pre-amp? Would this also require a DAC?

The Shiit DAC would work.  I you got one of the microrendu devices from Sonore, you can go from Ethernet to USB to the Shiit DAC.

Then you can use Ethernet/WIFI from your computer to your Router and Ethernet to the Rendu.  Then USB cable from Rendu to the DAC.  This will allow you to use apps like Amazon Prime music, Linn Kazoo or Roon/Tidal to drive the DAC.  Most audiophiles use Roon/Tidal.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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