DAC or Airport express or.. ?

[admin_exported]

All, I would appreciate some advise, currently I have an Arcam A85, CD72 and B&W loudspeakers. I want to connect my digital music from my Macbook Pro via wifi or bluethooth. I read that connect via an Airport Express is easy, but is not always the best way because the dac is not that good. I am considering otherwise the Arcam rDac or Chord Chordette Gem route.[class="Apple-style-span"]
[/class][class="Apple-style-span"]Any thoughts?[/class][class="Apple-style-span"]
[/class][class="Apple-style-span"]
[/class][class="Apple-style-span"]Thanks[/class]

 

[DavieCee]

The Macbook via AE analogue to my amp was plenty good enough for background listening.

The Macbook via AE optically connected to the DAC and into amp matches or betters my CD player.

 

[John Duncan]

Yep, you need an AE (or similar) to stream wirelessly anyway, it's just a case of what ultimate quality you require and how many boxes you can put up with.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input. I will probably start with an AE, then added later a dac like the Arcam rDac, or Chord one....

but maybe before upgrading to the DAC, maybe investigate upgrading otherparts.. but first lets start with the AE.. or rWave and rDac.. ;-)

 

[El Hefe]

I am currently using AE and feed it through the ARCAM rDAC. The sound quality is better than the previous connection of AE straight to the amp.

 

[pwiles1968]

If you start with the Express connected via a decent analogue cable and have a listen back to back with a CD with the same content I assume you will be using losless, you may be surprised how good it sounds just like this, but it will also give you an idea of the gain you will get going to a separate DAC.

I bought a couple of thease cables - http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/4724 and for the express keep an eye out for refurbished on the apple site you can get them for around £55. http://store.apple.com/uk/product/FB321B/A?afid=p223|GBUK&cid=AOS-EMEA-SHOP-GoogleBase-UK, an alternative to the express might be an apple TV.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Paul W,

For sure, I will try to get the cable!