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New to HiFi, need digital advice.

I am not an audiophile but I recently acquired a really nice high end system for free. (AR LS16 preamp, Madrigal Proceed HPA2 amp, Arcam CD92 CD player, Aerial Acoustics 7B tower speakers.  I have been learning as much as I can over the last week since I got it.

Now I'm trying to figure out how to put together a decent but not necessarily high end digital input system for as little money as possible.

So here is my plan. I know it is not high end and probably not commensurate with my system but hopefully will meet my needs:

Old iMac using iTunes to manage flac or alac files plugged into Schiit Modi 2 via USB cable and then into preamp via USB cable. I can us Apple's remote app on my iPhone to select/play music remotely (Works great).

Does this sound reasonable? If so it will only cost me about $100 for the Schiit DAC and $25 for a decent set of RCA cables (already purchased) and whatever I might need to spend on the USB cable. Anything I should know about the USB cable for this?

Thanks for the advice and apologies for my ignorance in all of this.

George
n80
n80 OP
2,134 posts
 
lowrider said:

"n80, if your Mac is running OS 10.4 to about 10.6 you will see the Optical Digital Out Port setting in System Preferences/Sound as soon as the Y-cord is inserted into the headphone jack. Otherwise, Preferences/Sound will display Internal Speakers."

I think you must be yanking my chain now. It does change from internal speakers to headphone but nothing there but balance and volume. that's with 10.6 and 10.8.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Are you using a 1/8-inch stereo mini-phono plug adapter? This plugs into the headphone jack and the Mac will recognise if you are using headphones or a digital interface.

You only use the Mac volume if using headphones. For digital output, the preamp in your system controls volume.


lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
https://www.noproblemmac.com/blog/2014/01/30/how-to-get-digital-audio-from-your-mac-to-your-receiver...
n80 OP
2,134 posts
 
Ah, that link helps. I'll need some time to study it.
n80 OP
2,134 posts
 
Okay, I get it all the way up to the point that I plug the Toslink cable into the pre-amp. My pre-amp is an AR LS16 tube model. The only input is XLR or RCA. Does a DAC need to go in between?

Don't feel like you have to coach me through this. I know I'm hopelessly ignorant in all this. I can continue to do the necessary leg work. 

And thanks for all the help so far.
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