Doug,
If you simply want to play YouTube on your system, a simple Bluetooth receiver, like the Auris BluME HD will do the trick. Simply play YouTube on your phone, laptop, etc., and connect that device to your system via the bluetooth connection.
You could purchase a DAC with a USB input and connect a USB cable from your iMac to the DAC and a set of RCA interconnect cables from the DAC to your system. Anything you play on the iMac can be output to the DAC via the USB connection and you'll hear the sound on your system, instead of through the speakers on your iMac.
For better sound than Bluetooth and YouTube can provide, a streamer, like the BlueSound Node 2i will allow you to stream nearly unlimited content from a subscription streaming service such as Qobuz, Tidal, Amazon HD, Spotify, etc. It also has a built-in bluetooth receiver, so you could also stream YouTube to it. It also streams internet radio stations, such as Radio Paradise, etc. Lastly, streaming high-res content via Tidal or Qobuz will offer significantly better sound quality than streaming YouTube or Spotify over bluetooth connection.
You have many choices. Good Luck. I hope you find what you need and get music back into your life. |
Doug, as @onhwy61 said, you can connect directly from the 3.5 mm analog output from your iMac using a
3.5mm to RCA adapter/cable. It will be using the DAC built-into your iMac, so it is not optimal.
You also do not need to spend anything close to a thousand dollars to get a perfectly good DAC for your use case. I believe a simple Audioquest Dragonfly Black $99, Red $199 or Cobalt $299 or a Schiit Modi 3+ $99 will do the trick. You should get better sound quality using an external USB DAC than you will directly connected via analog from you iMac. |
Doug,
If it were me, and I just wanted to get YouTube music out of my PC into my audio system, I think I would just get the Schiit Modi 3+ for $99. YouTube is not high-res, or CD quality, so it will always by compromised. I would go for the low cost option.
For the Schiit Modi 3+ you'll need a USB cable out of your iMAC, and a pair of RCA interconnects.
I would order it directly from Schiit Audio in order to get the 15 day trial period. Send it back if you don't like it...... |
Doug,
To connect the Schiit Modi 3+ between your iMac and your system, you should just need to buy the Modi, get a USB cable that connects between your iMac and the Modi and a pair of standard interconnect cables. You should already have the interconnects. You can use the ones from your CD player if you choose.
Regarding the other DACs on the Schiit site, just get the standard Modi 3+. No need to buy the multi-bit option (it's showing out of stock anyway). $99 and you should be good to go.
Good Luck and Best Wishes. |
Doug,
You're welcome. Please come back and let us know how it turns out. |
It's a USB C connection on the Schiit Modi #+. It's a small, space-saving configuration, like the ones used on a lot of smart phones, etc. |
Looks like it is a USB-C connection on the Schiit Modi side. Not sure what type of USB connection it would be on the iMac side. |
@dekay - From the Schiit Modi 3+ specs page on the Schiit Audio Site:
Inputs: USB, Toslink SPDIF, Coaxial SPDIF
Sample Rates and Bit Depths: 16/44.1 to 24/192 via USB, Coax, and Optical Input Receiver:
Modi 3+ USB: Schiit Unison USB™
Modi Multibit USB: C-Media CM6631A
SPDIF: AKM 4113
|
@doug714 - Gordon? I'll translate for you:
"I use the Qobuz app (A subscription music streaming service) on my laptop (his PC, same as your iMAC) to a Fiio Q5 USB DAC (A DAC with a USB input connection), then mini jack to RCA (3.5mm mini connector on one end, standard RCA interconnects on the other end) to my PL (Prima Luna Audio) integrated (Tube integrated amp). Sounds great to me. If I feel like working for my music, my turntable is also connected.
Regarding the NAD Dac2, it's just a DAC, but it is wireless. It uses a 2 piece hardware setup, wireless transmitter with USB input on the source end and a DAC with a wireless receiver on the other end. It's just a DAC, but the connection from the iMAC to stereo system would be wireless, instead of using a USB cable between the two. Seems you would still need a USB cable to connect from the iMAC to the transmitter and you will still need interconnect cables from the DAC/receiver to your stereo system. Could be a good solution if your iMAC is not located close to your stereo system hardware. I've never seen/heard the NAD, so I can't comment on the sound quality.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention that you are selling yourself short regarding using YouTube as your source for music. YouTube is an awesome app, but sound quality is likely compromised and you are at the mercy of whomever uploaded your music selection regarding the sound quality. You have EXCELLENT speakers and amps. I've heard your speakers on a few occasions and they are fantastic. A subscription streaming music service, like Qobuz, Tidal or possibly the "soon to be" HiFi version of Spotify will provide better sound quality and a better dedicated music focused user interface. |
Doug,
Most people say Qobuz has the best sound quality. Spotify HiFi is not out yet. Their current service is not CD quality bit rate. When Spotify HiFi comes out later this year, it will be CD quality bit rate.
My opinion is that Spotify has the best user interface, search algorithm and largest catalog. Once they get CD quality bit rate, it should be top notch. Until then, Qobuz would be my choice. It will probably also be the same price as their current Spotify Premium offering, which is $10/month.
I've used Spotify Premium for the last few years. I love the service. Really looking forward to their HiFi tier when it comes out. I signed up for a one year promo deal with Tidal. It does have CD Quality bit rate and sounds good. However, I don't like the user experience as well as I like Spotify. |
Hey Gordon! I'm glad you came back with an update. I'm really happy you've got your simplified system, and your mojo back.
Enjoy the Music! |
