audioengr
Responses from audioengr
| Phono/computer audio hassle. Solutions? The best solution is a Passive Transformer Linestage. Music First if the best. Very transparent. They are available in copper wired or silver wired. Silver is spendy though. I have a silver one. Here are other options:http://www.audiocircle.com/in... | |
| Which way to go with my PC Audio setup? If the DAC has a preamp in it, I would compare this to your pre using line-out from the DAC. It is doubtful that the built-in pre is better. Like I said, use line-out and a transformer linestage. Until you do this, everything will be homogenized s... | |
| using my computer as a music server A "sound card" will never beat a good transport, however there are a miriad of computer interfaces, both stand-alone and integrated into DACs that will beat CD transports, and even vinyl. The important aspect is the jitter of the master clocks. Do... | |
| Why isn't LAN/RJ45 an ubiquitous input into DACs? Because it is a major undertaking. One must design the GUI for organizing a playing tunes and the network interface S/W for the computer and then the network interface for the DAC. Look at SB Touch and Sonos. They are completely self-sufficient an... | |
| Which way to go with my PC Audio setup? If it is a new one, I believe they boot that way. If it is 2010 vintage, then hold-down the 6 and 4 keys on the keyboard during boot.you can check to see if it is in 64 bit mode by looking at Utilities - System Profiler - Software - 64-bit kernel ... | |
| USB cables "Do converters like the offramp or hiface EVO use USB power (I guess not)? If not, can USB power be disengaged when using a SotM USB card."No, the Off-Ramp and EVO do not use the 5V power. It can be disconnected. You still need the ground wire.The... | |
| USB cables Like most digItal cables, the high-end is where the significant improvement comes. $400 is a good starting point IME.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| Which way to go with my PC Audio setup? Depends on your budget. you get what you pay for in this area. The more expensive, the more likely to beat your best CD transport, or even your vinyl.Examples:HiFace-$200Halide Bridge-$395Audiophilleo2-$600-900Off-Ramp 5-$1299-1549Diverter HR-$288... | |
| Which way to go with my PC Audio setup? Patrick - no, dont connect line-out from any DAC to a preamp. You may accidently damage your speakers. If you must use your current DAC, then get a transformer-based linestage to replace your preamp. Here are some choices at different pricepoints:... | |
| USB cables First, I would recommend a 1.5m cable, no shorter. There are technical reasons for this.Second, I have found that not all manufacturers understand how to make a good USB cable. Some of the good ones are the $150 Kimber silver, the $250 Locus-Desig... | |
| Which way to go with my PC Audio setup? AirPort Express and Sonos both offer high levels of jitter, so don't expect them to be as good as a CD player without adding a reclocker or doing major mods to them, ala power and clocks. Low-jitter reclockers are available.As for the preamp, it w... | |
| Computer output to DAC, which route? Neal - nice Advertisement. Maybe I should do one too. Better yet, I'll just post all of my awards and reviews:http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=95464#msg960567http://www.dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=860http://forum.audiogon.com/cg... | |
| Computer output to DAC, which route? Gmahler wrote:"quite hard concepts to swallow"Well, read this carefully and maybe you will learn something:http://www.avguide.com/review/peachtree-audio-idac-tas-214?page=1Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| Wadia not correct speed??? Digital sources often vary in frequency a little. This is a result of the tolerance of the crystal oscillator in it. This may be causing your problem.Steve N.Empirical Audio | |
| I got the USB DAC per everyone's sugguestion BUT.. USB is not limited. There are a lot of DACs available with async USB supporting up to 24/192. These have been around for years actually.My advice is: be careful about buying based on specs or chip complement. There are a lot of 24/192 Async USB in... |