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Digital music questions

I'm somewhat new to hi res digital audio and I'm looking for some tips. I have been building my system and have purchased McIntosh c2700, which has a DAC built in, a 462 amp, and B&W 802d4s. Using Apple Music, I have been streaming music through a Macbook Pro via a USB cable to the DAC of the c2700 preamp.

The McIntosh preamp states the streaming quality is 44.1 kHz, which seem to be the low end of high-res streaming. I currently have so many subscriptions, including Sirius XM for the cars and Apple Music for my family, and more recently Nugs for concerts, (not to mention video subscriptions...seems it never ends), so I was hoping not to add another paid subscription.

That being said, am I leaving a lot on the table? Would a dedicated streamer sound a lot better than the Macbook Pro? Are there streamers without DACs, so I can use the McIntosh DAC without purchasing redundant equipment? I understand I cannot use Apple Music to get high res audio to the preamp, as they only provide it through Apple equipment at this time. Can I get a streamer that uses the DAC of the c2700 preamp? Finally, do I then need to add another subscription, such as Tidal or Qobuz, to get high res audio? 

Thanks....it's a lot of questions, but I'm sure someone here can help!

cmb13
rhtowson
29 posts
 

I use a Bluesound Node connected via coax to the DAC1 in my McIntosh MAC7200. Bluesound's coax connection bypasses it's internal DAC enabling me to use the MAC's internal DAC and features. It sounds great.

The Bluesound interface / control is via my iPhone and is very stable and easy to use. My Bluesound node is connected via Ethernet to my router.

My paid streaming services are Amazon Prime and SiriusXM. Both are native to the Bluesound, so I'm not streaming thru my phone. The Bluesound also has iHeart, TuneIn, and others that don't require a subscription.

My next big upgrades will be a Mac DA2 and an MS500 streamer.

Your C2700 uses Mac's top of the line DA2 - enjoy!

cmb13 OP
8 posts
 

Thank you for all the detailed and thought out responses. This is a great forum. I’m going to have to do some research, pick one out and give it a shot, I suppose!

chocaholic
212 posts
 

Another vote for a BlueSound Node through an external DAC. In my case a Denefrips Pontus ii 12th. Remember, you can spend a large fortune to result in a minuscule change to sound quality. And there’s a difference between “better” sound and “different” sound. Only you can decide which it is. 

rhtowson
29 posts
 

Sorry - forgot to mention that Apple Music isn't native to the Bluesound and if you use it with a Bluesound, it will have to be streamed thru your phone and then via AirPlay to the Bluesound.

norton
83 posts
 

I use a Cambridge streamer into a Mac preamp and have it hooked up two ways so I can listen to either the Mac's DAC or the Cambridge's. I prefer the Cambridge for some reason.

I'm using Spotify and have also tried Pandora and think they both sound "ok". I was using a cheap Grace digital when I first got into streaming and thought it sounded decent and you can still but one of those for less than $200 as I just bought one for the garage setup.

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