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Importance of computer for DAC shootout

I am using a perfectwave DAC + bridge + modwright 36.5 LS/PS preamp to stream flacs over my network. Very happy with the sound, but intrigued by the idea of getting better SQ for less $$$ I will soon be auditioning an Antelope Zodiac Gold + Volticus over USB, directly into my poweramp. Being able to take out the modwright alone would pay for the new DAC. My only concern is the Computer I will be using for this shootout. I have a Dell laptop and an Asus media PC, both with USB 1.0.

If I opt for the Zodiac I will go all out on computer source (may be mach2music), but I don't want to invest before knowing if I even want to go down the USB path.

In you estimation, is there any chance of the computer used in my shootout distorting the outcome? Would I be better off using my Marantz ud9004 S/PDIF source for the Zodiac, and then get a better computer if the Zodiac wins the contest?

Or are the difference between computer sources small and will I be able to conclude which is the better DAC using a mediocre PC as the source for the Zodiac. Any advise on how to set up the hardware for the shootout is welcome.
edorr
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
10-12-11: Edorr
I need to check my configuration. If it turns out my Dell Laptop or Asus has USB 2.0 should I be OK?
That would be a lot better, but I think that using a computer that is several years old or more would still make the meaningfulness of the comparison very questionable.

In fact, based on the kinds of unpredictable interactions that can occur between a DAC and a digital source, such as those I cited in the post I linked to above, arguably it would be a good idea to perform the comparison with TWO modern computers (if neither is the one you would end up using).

Perhaps a reasonable compromise, though, would be to compare using the more recent of the two computers AND using the Marantz player, and seeing if you get consistent results.

Best regards,
-- Al
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sgr
689 posts
 
4est,
What is your preference in file types? What were the differences you heard?
ultra_fi
24 posts
 
In my experience, I think the chances of you getting a meaningful result with either of these computers is about.....

0
None
Zilch
Nada.

Beg or borrow something...
edorr OP
714 posts
 
Depressing news guys - but good to know in advance and not screw up my shootout. I just made an offer on the Mac mini listed on A'gon. That should solve my problem for the shootout. If I end up keeping the Zodiac, I can either get this Mac upgraded to mach2music specs or sell it and get a 2011 mach2music model.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Mach2 is a good choice, however comparing USB DACs is dominated by the quality of the USB interface and master clock.

If you read the last 3 or4 DAC reviews by Steven Stone in TAS, you will see that once you provide the DAC with a really low jitter digital signal, they all start to sound very similar. The diference in a 1K DAC and a 6K DAC becomes quite small.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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