2. pc-audio
  3. 1206425942

What is the BEST sound card to use with a MAC G5

I want to build a music server with NON TOSLINK output, so I want the best digital output sound card for my APPLE MAC G5, I intend to import my cd collection in lossless format and I want the best output possible to my DAC, or possible a great sound card that has a DAC built in so I can go direct to my linestage preamp or direct into my power amp.

Any info appreciated.
thekrell
myrtle
30 posts
 
Have a look at the Empirical Audio products, they sound way better than any soundcard I have ever come across - I am talking about the Off-Ramp Turbo. Since I know nothing about Macs I don't know if the wired off-ramp can work for you but the WiFi one will. Believe me, the Off-Ramp and a computer beats every CD transport I have tried. Running the off-ramp on battery power is recommended too.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,218 posts
 
There's a small problem with current generation soundcards. The best ones are designed for professional use and they are multi channel designs. They end up being more complex then any audiophile would require. That said you can get excellent sound quality from cards by Apogee, Lynx or RME.
4est
507 posts
 
To my knowledge there aren't any good sound cards for high end audio. Get a dac with either usb, firewire or ethernet. If you need spdif, something like the off ramp (usb=>spdif) would work, but direct usb is better.
More to discover