2. pc-audio
  3. 1223413490

PC Based Audio - How?

I am hearing a lot of good things about PC audio as a replacement for conventional CD players. My question is threefold; first, what are the basic components I need to run a Mac laptop based PC audio system? Secondly, is it possible to simply feed the digital output from a Mac laptop (or MS Windows laptop) into my Krell HTS 7.1 processor for D/A conversion? Finally, any advantage/disadvantage using a laptop over a desktop for CD storage/playback? Any comments on equipment choice (say for a $2k budget), software and file ripping/storage formats would also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your advise.

Regards,

Marcus
mgattmch

Showing 1 response by reubent

reubent
7,093 posts
 
Marcus,

Using a MAC laptop is probably the easiest way to do PC based audio. Yep, you can take the digital output from your MAC directly into your processor. You just need to rip your music to iTunes using Apple lossless or AIFF. Don't forget to turn on error correction too when you set the ripping format.

I'm not sure how good the DACs are in the Krell. If you like it and want to try to squeeze out a little more sonic purity, try a quality external DAC next.

Enjoy,

TIC
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