Digital wows on a budget


Well it's not like 25k is really budget. Yes- there are guys out there that think 7k for speakers is a bargain- Lets get all that off the table...

My main source these days is my Mac Mini. I don't have every last thing switched of because I do stream Spotify and I listen to my sons radio broadcast at school, but It's not an email running spam machine.

I run usb through a KingRex ud192 to SPDIF into my pre amp and use the dacs in the Parasound c2.

So-- it does sound nice, but I am certain that I hear smearing at higher volume. Not distortion, just some sort of crap that I know I don't like.

What to be done---change mini power supply. Go external usb dac, master clock, better dig music manager...So much info and without spending the money, who's to know.

Amps, speaker and pre are much more straight forward.

Because my family wants to use stereo, I have had to combine HT into music-
I once had a real simple setup with AR LS9, Muse 160, Aerial 5's- so nice.

Now it all dig and I know it can be better without spending next semesters tuition-
128x128famoej
Why don't you choose a track you know well and compare a CD (or better yet high resolution) version to Spotify. I'm wondering if you aren't chasing after spending money when the problem is a lossy source.
Try this.....

Please read this post for details on the dual USB cable with seperate power
supply cable

ymisc&1002498109&openflup&353&4#353>http://forum.audiogon.com/
cgi-bin/fr.pl?ymisc&1002498109&openflup&353&4#353


Its a great cable and will ensure a clean signal from the usb. The enercell
power adapter is as good as my battery supply and can be purchased from
eBay for $7 - believe it - surprised the heck put of me also

Total cost around $66 + shipping

This should fix a bulk of the problem

I'm running an iMac into my Schiit Bifrost USB port and it sounds superb

I also stream from internet radio and the hires stations also sound great

Regards
Willie,

Please give more details on the dual USB cable as the link was not going anywhere for me. Thank you.
Sorry about that - I did verify it would work - anyway try these links...

USB Cable

Enercell Power Adapter

There is also a very good ASUS power adapter for $40 - I've tried both and they performed as well as my USB rechargeable battery - no noise at all.

The cable above outperformed my DH Labs USB cable and a more expensive Kimber USB cable

Let me know if you have any problems with the above links

Please post your findings

Regards...