laptop to analog, any suggestions?

Dan,

Benchmark has announced a new USB DAC that may do what you are proposing. See www DOT benchmarkmedia DOT com. You can find them through Audiogon's Manufacturer's List as well.

I have never heard any of Benchmark's products, so cannot vouch for the performance, however, the original DAC-1 received good reviews.

Bob R.

You didn't state a price range, but if you're looking for something a little less expensive than the Benchmark, I use one of these:

Fubar II

I haven't compared it to other USB DACs, but it's a considerable improvement over the DAC in my iBook G4. Sound quality is much higher and noise floor is much lower.

Your computer will just see it as another sound output, so your MP3 software or anything else can use it.

David

Yeah, Fubar is around $120; Benchmark is closer to $1300. That probably is a better place to start. Might try one myself. This website is constantly inciting me to buy something I didn't know existed ;^)

I will offer yet another recommendation for the LinkSys Wireless Music Bridge (WMB54G). $80.95 + shipping (Office Depot). Connect to the laptop wirelessly (duh!) or using an Ethernet cable. You can then use the WMB's RCA out or its Coax Digital out if you have a Coax Digital in on your preamp.

This unit sounds great, is easy to setup, and is dirt-friggin'-cheap.

-RW-