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
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
james123 OP
61 posts
 
Tomcy6. Sorry, not been on for a while. Ive still got my Zingalis. I enquired about ART speakers and where I could audition a £14k set. They didnt even bother to answer! So ART speakers are not on my list anymore. I made two enquiries about Zingali speakers, before I got mine, and on both ocassions there was a reply within an hour. Bit wary about companys that sell expensive kit, invite enquiries in there site, then can be bothered to even reply. Ive been reading up on others. Wislon Puppy, Usher and others but its almost imposible to comapare as no one dealer has two of three different ones Im interested in. Im still hesitant to make a purchase blindly as they would have to do something very special to better the Zingalis I have. There is alot of hype out there, aided by greedy dealers! Any you could recommend i read into? Kind regards.
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