2. pc-audio
  3. 1229556739

what is a lazy old audiophile to do?

I am an old audiophile. Left behind by technology. I'm tired of replacing tubes, want convenience, if not simplicity (maybe simplicity). I decided to put my CD's on a computer hard drive and play from there. I have a new Pioneer SC-07 ( I know, not audiophile), new Imac with all the latest, Kef 205/2 speakers. The only connection from the Imac to the receiver is the headphones out from the Imac - (tiny). I have no idea why Apple is so uninterested in audio. I may send back the Imac and get a Dell with sound card and HDMI out, which I can connect to the Pioneer. My question: is this stupid? That is, am I trying to do something that will never satisfy my ear? I care a lot about the sound (have a thirty year old pair of Snell Type A's in the other room that I love). Can I get decent sound with the convenience of the computer? How? I don't really care about surround sound or movie crashes; I just want really good audio through my computer.
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xtwilightround
spiritualized
138 posts
 
Same as this lazy old audiophile:

MacBook > iTunes > Wavelength Brick USB DAC > Preamp

I have my library ripped Apple Lossless to 3 external Lacie 500 GB drives.

Very satisfactory solution.
mmarvin19
157 posts
 
I you are a rich man, the best solution would be to send a blank check to Steve @ Empirical and ask him to send you a custom set up. He may ask you to download a free media player like Foobar or JRiver Jukebox.

If you are poor like me: USB out to Behringer headphone amp/DAC(16/48)for $30 on-line @ Part Express or an Edirol (24/96 DAC)for $80@ Amazon.com. Analog RCAs out to your receiver. This will beat your current set up becuase it gets the D to A conversion out of the computer.
Mike19
puerto
372 posts
 
Twilightround: A couple of years ago I went through the same mental gymnastics that you are experiencing. In the end, after hours of reading (here and elsewhere) I bought an iMac, imported all the CDs into iTunes using an AIFF format, backed up into a Cavalry mirrored external hard drive and did the following:

iMac >>Optical Digital Cable (from headset output) to a simple Pop Pulse signal converter >>"out" of the Pop Pulse via coax cable to my Krell processor. Works great!! If you do not have a processor then, without question, the DAC would be the way to go. Use the DAC to replace the Pop Pulse and go directly to your pre-amp or amplifier.

There are several great solutions offered above by other members using DACs.

It's easy, simple and effective. I love my iTunes set-up.
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