suntzu Posted September 4, 2007 Posted September 4, 2007 Guys, I need help. I'm quite unhappy with all my CDPs. I'm also starting to really like the convenience of using Itunes to play my music. Can I get some advice? I have a Macmini and I'm thinking of converting my entire CD collection into wav files and playing it off my hifi system. If I can connect my Macmini to my Stereo amp, do I still need a Squeezebox3? Do I still need to buy an external DAC? Or should I go this route? http://www.effectiveaudiomod.com/Comp_DigiSou_Slimbox.htm Thank you. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Quest88 Posted September 4, 2007 Posted September 4, 2007 i never used a macmini b4 but probably can stream direct from it to your stereo amp. probably has a DAC in-built. dunno about sound quality though. :) in terms of usability, squeezebox will provide ability to: (1) have flexibility to have music in another room other than the one with ur PC/NAS (2) remote control with nice display (3) better sound than macmini i own a sb3 as well. never modded it though. all the above 3 applies to me and im a happy user. 1 is mainly cos i didn't like the PC fan sound so i put a NAS in another room. :) never ever have to look for a cd anymore or remove/insert another cd if i suddenly got change of mood. Options: if u were a PC owner, i'd tell u that u could change soundcard + add a remote if u can live with the sound. but im not sure if the macmini can do any of those things. so really, up to you. :) since it doesn't cost anything for u to attach the macmini to ur stereo amp, why not just try that out first and see how it sounds?
suntzu Posted September 5, 2007 Author Posted September 5, 2007 i never used a macmini b4 but probably can stream direct from it to your stereo amp. probably has a DAC in-built. dunno about sound quality though. :) in terms of usability, squeezebox will provide ability to: (1) have flexibility to have music in another room other than the one with ur PC/NAS (2) remote control with nice display (3) better sound than macmini i own a sb3 as well. never modded it though. all the above 3 applies to me and im a happy user. 1 is mainly cos i didn't like the PC fan sound so i put a NAS in another room. :) never ever have to look for a cd anymore or remove/insert another cd if i suddenly got change of mood. Options: if u were a PC owner, i'd tell u that u could change soundcard + add a remote if u can live with the sound. but im not sure if the macmini can do any of those things. so really, up to you. :) since it doesn't cost anything for u to attach the macmini to ur stereo amp, why not just try that out first and see how it sounds? Great advice! I will try my Macmini straight into my tube amp first to see how it sounds like. Just that some people have advised me to use a DAC for better sound output. BTW, where can I buy a SB3? Are there any MO going on? Cheers.
SiriuslyCold Posted September 6, 2007 Posted September 6, 2007 you should ask these guys http://www.audiotrio.com/
Quest88 Posted September 7, 2007 Posted September 7, 2007 yup i bought mine from them also. can go there for audition. :) they also sell interesting things like an external soundcard (e.g. Trends UD10) which can be used with your mac. i have a spare which im not using now if u want to loan.
Hitokiri_Battousai Posted September 8, 2007 Posted September 8, 2007 I have a macmini as well as a macbook pro, and based on simple listening direct to speakers/tv speakers/speaker system without an external dac, they actually sound pretty good to me, though not to the extent that they can replace a proper hifi setup. That being said, I would think that coupling your macmini with an external dac, you can expect better sound, quite sure about it.
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