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Macbook to USB to which one?

I'm taking my first venture into computer based music. My main system is described in the system link. I have not had much computer experience and I want it to be easy and painless. I plan on using iTunes AIFF, and also HD Tracks.

Which is the best way to go? USB to HRT + II music streamer, or USB to Musical Fidelity V-Dac, or, USB to Cambridge Audio DAC magic. The output of the selected DAC will get fed into a McIntosh C2300 auxilliary input via rca/rca audio cables.

Thank you for any and all assistance,
Bennett (hififile)
hififile
hififile OP
236 posts
 
Thank you TheSoundhouse, my goal was to spend very little (hence the HRT streamer and V-dac questions. I already have a MacBook and buying a mini would be needless cost. I appreciate your idea though.
bwp
114 posts
 
If you plan to use USB you will be limited to 16/48 files with both the MF VDAC and the DACmagic. One thing to point out is that the DACmagic has high levels of jitter when using USB. The MF VDAC by contrast has impressively low levels of jitter when using USB as reported by Stereophile. If your primary use is going to be USB and you will be using standard 16/44.1 I would go with the VDAC over the other options, added flexibility of additional inputs over the HRT and better USB performance compared to the DACmagic.
hififile OP
236 posts
 
Bwp,
Thank you! That is exactly what I needed to know.
ckoffend
684 posts
 
Doesn't the Macbook have the headphone out which is also a digital output? You can buy a simple plug that converts the headphone out to toslink. Then you don't limit yourself to USB DACs, which really takes the better DACs out of contention. I would double check your manual to see if the headphone out also doubles as a digital out. I have three mac laptops in my house (mine, son and daughter) and all of them have the digital headphone outs. Two of them are already 18 months old.
geh7's avatar
geh7
29 posts
 
After a lot of research, I hooked up my MacBook Pro to a Wavelength Proton DAC and never looked back - sound is excellent. Main reason for selecting was the performance with a USB connection.
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