2. pc-audio
  3. 1357171210

Quality of laptop for use with Dac.

Good evening all.

I was just reading a review of a Belconte DAC ( im not actually after a new dac but was reading it simply out of interest) and the reviewer made comments about a possibilty of higher sound quality with a better driver, than the native windows driver, and higher quality laptop as the one he used to review the equipment was old.

Im quite a novice to Pc audio, having recently acquired an AMR processor which is a cd player with USB input. Ive been using the USB with an old, but extremely reliable HP laptop. The DAC inside the CD77 sounds really pleasing, using J River. Owing to the age of my laptop I cannot use some of the recommended output options, one being ASIO.

Is there any sense of what he is saying? I thought is was digital signals that are going to the DAC? I always take what reviewers write with a pinch of salt ( though interesting to read) as almost every component that they review performs well beyond its price.

Anyone have any knowlege that might give novices like me some pointers.

Thanks. Regards. James.
james123
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Unfortunately, even with Async USB interfaces, there is still a lot of interaction with the computer. In theory this should not happen, but it does. Some of it is due to CODECs that dont run well real-time, audio stack issues and even power system issues in the computer.

There are some things that you can do to improve SQ:

1) ripping with dbpoweramp on PC or XLD on Mac to .wav files

2) add a common-mode filter to the USB cable (only if the USB interface does not require the +5V in the cable), such as the Short-Block

3) stop all unneeded apps running on the computer

4) power the computer with a better PS or batteries

5) add JPLAY to your Jriver playback app

6) Use a better quality USB cable

7) Power the DAC and the computer from the SAME AC outlet

BTW, better than this can be achieved with Oct. 2009 Mac Mini running PM or Amarra IME.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
lewinskih01
909 posts
 
Hi Steve.

Was the list you posted writen in order of impact on SQ, in your view?

Have you tested a Computer Audiophile CAPS v3 vs. A 2009 Mac Mini? The CAPS approach kind of makes sense to me, but then I keep reading about the 2009 mini...

Thanks much!
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Lewinski - no particular order. They are all important and make noticable difference. Probably the least effective is powering the computer from another supply IME.

Have not heard a CAPs yet.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
mihaitaa
111 posts
 
I wonder whether something like http://industrialcomponent.com/opticis/opm210003.html would be good to yield galvanic separation between an async USB DAC and the computer.
Did anyone try something like this?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
None of the OTS devices work with Async USB. Galvanic isolation must be built-in.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
More to discover