2. pc-audio
  3. 1319986619

Does Hardware Matter?

Analog dude here looking to stream online radio stations into my rig. Basic and probably stupid question:

What difference in sound quality will it make if I just get a $200 notebook vs a $3000 uberMac?

Just going to go out of the mic output (splitting into 2 RCAs) into the back of the amp. Have done this successfully with our MacBook Pro and it sounds pretty fine - just don't want to dump another bunch of $$$ into another MacBook to use exclusively for the rig if it's not going to really significantly upgrade the sound.

Isn't the sound quality more dependent on the bit rate of the source and not necessarily the "quality" of the machine you're using to stream with? But WTF do I know...

Thanks all.
2k95aero
2k95aero OP
13 posts
 
Thanks for the timely responses and great info contained therein...this should keep me going for a while.

Oh, and I'm way down into the endless money pit...might as well keep going!

And I don't care what the rest of the analoggies say...you ones and zeros guys are alright!

Thanks again.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Unfortunately, it does, unless the computer is streaming to Sonos or Logitech Touch. Then only the device matters.

Macbook pro is a good choice, however iTunes is not. Use Amarra or Pure Music.

To minimize sound quality issues, use Async USB interface, either in the DAC or with a USB converter. The master clock is the most important aspect of any digital audio system. This is in the CD Player or computer interface of the device.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
programmergeek
322 posts
 
I have been researching and testing the Mac Mini has been the best the bigger mac actually is money wasted the laptops not as good and can't be modded as much. Look at what martch2music does. ANyhow the Dac makes a big difference as well.

Also as mentioned above don't use itunes.
More to discover