2. pc-audio
  3. 190748-82684

Why did this just happen ?

Folks ,

I have been using an old (2012) iMac with a 1TB SS drive for years. It is connected to an old Benchmark USB DAC that feeds my refurbished(2X) Audio Research SP IX mark 2 preamp into my Quicksilver KT88 mono blocks that feed my Pro Ac SE’s. 

I just bought a used 2020 MacBook Pro($400.00) to replace the old iMac. I connected it to my USB DAC via a usb C to usb converter.

AND BAM ! The resolution is stunning. I would equate it to a $5K upgrade in any part of my chain. It is truly an ear opener.

What did this ?

The USB C ?, The MacBook isn’t doing anything but output the data to my USB DAC.

I would love to hear from any of you who might know the reason for this wonderful improvement.

Eugene

128x128eugenegearty
eugenegearty's avatar
eugenegearty OP
4 posts
 

I just noticed my audio/midi set up and it seems it is up sampling to 96k. Perhaps that wasn't available in earlier OS. 

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,602 posts
 

Computers are notoriously bad streamers.  Replace your new computer with a real streamer and you may get a similar upgrade.

eugenegearty's avatar
eugenegearty OP
4 posts
 

What is a real streamer ?

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,602 posts
 

https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=audio+streamer

 

ghdprentice
6,953 posts
 

By real streamer he means a dedicated audio streamer. Virtually any will outperform a pc. I have used iPads, Macs, PCs. When I finally reluctantly upgraded  to a dedicated streamer the digital leg took a huge jump up in sound quality. Since then I have used many. I recommend Aurender, but there are dozens of brands like, Aurlic, dCS, Bluespund, Linn… the list goes on.

 

They come as either just a streamer or streamer and DAC. Just a streamer is recommended. Streaming from Qobuz produce sound quality as good or better than red book CD and my really good analog end. Highly recommended. 

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