2. pc-audio
  3. 1363240771

Novice needs Mac Mini and DAC advice

Stereo Boys, I really really need some advice. In the past 18 months, I've loaded all in on this hobby and in that short time span have gone from birth to a full blown, fairly high end system and now I'm integrating a Mac Mini server into the mix. My mind is blown with too much information and I'm losing it over which DAC will give me the best bang with a budget anywhere from $800 to $4000. I'm told that the Ayre and Wavelength don't really outperform the lower cost DACs by a huge margin. I need a shot of the truth. And I'm looking for plug and play. I'm not that conversant with all the technical science involved in all of this. I just want a clean, high res sound. Please help!!
moonshot

Showing 1 response by gigi

gigi
20 posts
 
Moonshot,

Take a look at the DAC used in this room http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vdone&1342446780&read&3&zzlMantis007&&

I use the same DAC with great result especially with DSD source files. Since you have a MAC, your have plenty of choices when it comes to software player: Audirvana Plus, PureMusic or Amarra.
If you like more flexibility with lot of digital filters to tailor the sound to your liking plus the ability to convert PCM music files to DSD encoded files on the fly, there's Signalyst's HQPlayer which requires Window Vista or later.
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