Best upgrade path will be to search for an RIAA app to run the Mac as a phono stage for your ultimate upgrade, a turntable.
I have a macbook pro going into a benchmark DAC - what's the best upgrade path?
when I stopped using my sony ES5400 CDP with my DAC and switched to using my macbook, I kind of expected a loss in sound quality (because people say computers are 'noisy'), but I didn't notice any - and of course I love the convenience. I'm happy with the sound of the benchmark, so there are server-streamers without DACs I could try, and the claim is that they have higher-quality parts, so they'd be less noisy, but the reviews I've seen make me think the main reason to do this would be the bells and whistles (album covers, interface, etc.), not so much the sound, i.e. reducing whatever 'noise' the computer's adding might be a pretty small upgrade.
I've also read that shunyata's digital AC cord (V14 digital) would improve the sound (I'm already using a standard shunyata AC cable); that'd be an easy thing to try, but I'm mostly curious to hear people's opinions about using a server-streamer vs. using a computer. thanks.
I've also read that shunyata's digital AC cord (V14 digital) would improve the sound (I'm already using a standard shunyata AC cable); that'd be an easy thing to try, but I'm mostly curious to hear people's opinions about using a server-streamer vs. using a computer. thanks.
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I've never been able to discern the "noise" that others claim infects a computer used to stream. My suggestion is to acquire a Mac Mini. For those times when you need the MacBook for something else. You can easily control the Mini from your MacBook. It does other stuff too. Probably 'noisy' but nothing I've been able to hear. Good luck. T. |
Completely in correct we have been working with servers and streamers for years there is a very audible difference between a pc and a high end server the noise is not audible noise it is a contamination of the data stream that is the issue A high end server is designed to present the dac with a pristine data signal We started 10 years ago with a pc running a high end usb cable to our dacs running J river Then We tried a highend sotm server with an upgraded sound card and a massive outboard linear a supply power no real difference Then an aurender which did sound better then a few years later We heard that innous was making great sounding servers and boy did the zenith sound more analog like We compared this server to modified mac minis and again the server was way better To date We have trired out a load of servers and each one sounds different Then we heard a few years ago a new server out of belgium which people thought was even better then the innous https://youtu.be/m_sYbgFvUOg The 432Evo server was not being imported to the USA as We decided to bring them in to the vountry These are remarkable sounding roon cores designed to be the ultimate digital usb music servers The designer has gone to great lengths to keep the data pristine This includes a low noise high speed cpu a seperate clock board a seperate sound card and 1 or more s booster linear power supplies The top of the line master has 4 seperate power supplies to save space all 4 are in a sIngle elegant Chasis The cpu has its own power the sound card has its own power supply The sound card has its own power supply The clock has its own power supply as well This degree of data isolation is nearly unheard of Also decause everything is seperated parts can be upgraded as newer sound cards and clocks come out You can hear how good digital can can sound Also apart from this incredibile hardware The servers have a custom linx kearnal tuned for sound quality One listen to a 432 Evo high end or aeon music server you can see why the company fast been taking over Europe Dave and troy Audio intellect nj US importer 432EVO music servers |
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