For those that want wireless USB (the best), Belkin has announced the CableFree USB hub and dongle, which replaces wired USB with Ultrawideband, high-bandwith wireless USB. The dongle plugs into your computer or laptop and the hub goes next you your USB converter or USB DAC and uses a short USB cable. Replaces USB 2.0. Demonstrated at 2006 CES in Jan.. Latest is that they are shipping in July. Pricing expected to be under $150.00. The advantage is that you can use ANY player software with this, unlike iTunes for AirPort Express or SlimServer for Squeezebox, and it will pass 24/96!!!
The basics of PC audio
Some questions for you:
Assuming you have the PCU (in my case, a Mac Mini) near the stereo, with a USB DAC coming out of that into the preamp (or do you have it configured some other way?):
a) What does one do with the monitor--perhaps run an extra long cord and put it away from the system to keep the RF from feeding into the audio?
b) Can the CPU be placed far enough from the preamp to where RF from it won't affect the sound of the system?
c) What about using Apple AirPort Express and AirTunes and running a USB DAC out of that into the preamp; are there any advantages/disadvantages to that sonically vs. having the CPU feeding directly into the DAC?
d) Suppose you buy music from the iTunes store in MP3 form. Can it be converted to aiff or some other "lossless" format such that you'll wind up with a high quality file? Or does the fact that it was already converted to MP3 doom it to sonic mediocrity?
e) How quickly are USB DACs improving in quality? I don't want to buy a DAC and have it be obselete the next year.
I appreciate your answers.
Thanks,
Matt
Assuming you have the PCU (in my case, a Mac Mini) near the stereo, with a USB DAC coming out of that into the preamp (or do you have it configured some other way?):
a) What does one do with the monitor--perhaps run an extra long cord and put it away from the system to keep the RF from feeding into the audio?
b) Can the CPU be placed far enough from the preamp to where RF from it won't affect the sound of the system?
c) What about using Apple AirPort Express and AirTunes and running a USB DAC out of that into the preamp; are there any advantages/disadvantages to that sonically vs. having the CPU feeding directly into the DAC?
d) Suppose you buy music from the iTunes store in MP3 form. Can it be converted to aiff or some other "lossless" format such that you'll wind up with a high quality file? Or does the fact that it was already converted to MP3 doom it to sonic mediocrity?
e) How quickly are USB DACs improving in quality? I don't want to buy a DAC and have it be obselete the next year.
I appreciate your answers.
Thanks,
Matt
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- 30 posts total
- 30 posts total