2. pc-audio
  3. 1218479924

newbie with basic question, please

Read over lots in this and the digital forum. I am interested in setting a server up for high quality playback. Can you please confirm that I am not missing some important piece of the puzzle, please?

1. Apple macbook or imac (w/remotes) - or another option = Apple TV + Itouch/remote software
2. External HD - would a wireless one work?
3. Dac/pre (e.g. benchmark) to amp - speakers

Would this seemingly simple system work, or am I missing something?

Thanks a bunch.
posty
posty OP
19 posts
 
Thank you!

All in the same room - an home office, actually, with several computers.

Hard to know about the DAC/pre - I cannot find any near me to try, so it'll be a shot in the dark.
mantisory
95 posts
 
A friend (restock) uses the mac mini with the USB benchmark and external notebook drives. sound great and is really quiet! The notebook drives are important since the standard 3.5" drivers can be a little on the noisy side.
B
mb9061
137 posts
 
I'm using a benchmark DAC1 USB and have zero complaints with the sound. My laptop and 750gig external hard drive are on the same breaker and sit less than 4 feet from my rig (my amp is sharing the same outlet with my computer). DAC is fed by a 6' USB cable.

mixing/matching ICs and power cords can do A LOT to calm down any edge/siblance associated with 16bit digital from the computer through the 24-bit upsampling DAC.
posty OP
19 posts
 
thanks, all, very much. keep the rec's coming!
More to discover